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Southern Gulf Islands

The Southern Gulf Islands are the Canadian islands between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia in the Strait of Georgia. This area comprises around twelve inhabited islands, and several hundred more smaller islands and islets. The Gulf Islands are part of a large archipelago that includes Washington State's San Juan Islands. Many of these islands, and the waterways around them, carry the names of the Spanish and English explorers who arrived in the area in the 18th century.

The Gulf Islands afford almost limitless opportunities for boating, kayaking, cycling, diving, hiking, or just communing with nature.

Islands

The Southern Gulf Islands that are regularly visited are:
 * — a short ferry from downtown Nanaimo, it is known as the Isle of the Arts because of to its many working artists, and cultural events include annual festivals of art, poetry, gardens, music, boating and fishing
 * — connected by ferry from Chemainus, it is a small community with a couple of marinas
 * — connected by ferry from Chemainus, home of the Penelakut First Nation
 * — the largest and most populated Gulf Island, it has the most services for visitors
 * — long and narrow, Galiano is a good base for island-hopping to visit the other Gulf Islands
 * — directly across Active Pass from Galiano Island, it is home to gardens built during World War II by Japanese  prisoners
 * — two beautiful islands, North and South, connected by a bridge, with an interesting mix of merchants, sailors, artists, musicians, writers, and artisans
 * — remote and unspoiled
 * — popular with kayakers and boaters, it has been the site of several historical human settlements
 * — part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve

Understand
The islands and surrounding ocean are rich with ecologically diverse plants and sea life including Garry oaks, wild lilies, kelp beds and Orcas.

The Gulf Islands are home to one of the last remaining pockets of Garry oak ecosystems. The unique Mediterranean characteristics of the islands' climate supports the Garry oak ecosystem. Garry oak ecosystems are home to more plant species, such as the camas, than any other terrestrial ecosystem in coastal B.C. and are one of Canada's most at-risk natural habitats. Today, Garry oak meadows exist in the shallow and exposed soil of valleys, rocky foothills and southern slopes—areas that the settlers of the past 150 years have found unsuitable for agriculture or development.

In most parts of Canada, olive trees cannot thrive; the long, harsh winter and short, humid summer and spring make it difficult for olives to grow comfortably and properly, but Pender Island, Saturna Island, and Salt Spring Island have a Mediterranean style climate that permits olive production.

Climate
The area experiences the warm air from the Pacific Ocean jet stream, but the surrounding mountains of Vancouver Island and the Olympic Mountains strips that air of moisture creating a rain shadow effect. The summers are dry with only a few cloudy days which is classified as a Mediterranean climate. The winters, however, are influenced by Arctic air mixing with Pacific air flows resulting in heavy precipitation and cool temperatures. The area experiences an average of 838 mm (33 in) of precipitation each year, with over half of that falling in the four month period between October and February.

By boat
Operates the following vehicle ferry routes:

 * Routes connecting the larger of the Southern Gulf Islands (Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Salt Spring, and Saturna) with Vancouver (Tsawwassen) ferry terminal in Delta and Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal near Sidney. Traveling between these five Southern Gulf Islands sometimes requires first taking the ferry to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island, then changing ferries and doubling back to your destination.
 * Route between Salt Spring and Crofton (between Duncan and Chemainus) on Vancouver Island. Free reservations are strongly recommended, especially in the summer and can be made online or by phone.
 * Route between Chemainus, Thetis Island, and Penelakut Island.
 * Route between Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour) and Gabriola Island

BC Ferry's ferry terminals on the Southern Gulf Islands include:

 * Galiano Island (Sturdies Bay)
 * Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) - See Nanaimo
 * Mayne Island (Village Bay)
 * Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) - See Chemainus
 * Pender Island (Otter Bay)
 * Saturna Island (Lyall Harbour)
 * Salt Spring Island (Fulford Harbour)
 * Salt Spring Island (Long Harbour)
 * Salt Spring Island (Vesuvius).
 * Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) - See Chemainus

By plane
Some of the islands are also served by seaplanes from either the Vancouver harbour or Vancouver International Airport.

Get around
Some of the Southern Gulf Islands are connected by an inner-island ferry service. However, you may have to travel to Vancouver Island to get from one island to another.

There are also passenger only water-taxi services which can be used to travel between the islands.

See
The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve safeguards a portion of the gorgeous Gulf Islands archipelago. It is comprised of lands and marine areas spread out over 15 islands, as well as numerous islets and reefs. The larger islands of Saturna, Mayne and Pender are serviced by BC Ferries, while smaller islands are accessible by private watercraft, or chartered vessel.

Self-guided artists' studio tours are available on Galiano, Salt Spring, and Gabriola Islands. Salt Spring also has its own boutique lavender farm.

The Japanese gardens on Mayne Island were created by prisoners-of-war, and are now maintained by volunteers.

Do
Hiking, sea kayak tours, kayak rentals, trail-biking and swimming are available on many islands.

Visit the islands' own winery (by reservation) on Saturna Island, or join in Galiano Island's international wine festival in August.

Whale-watching, scuba diving, yoga retreats, golfing....

Buy
There are art studios and craft shops on the populated islands, and in summer local produce is available direct from the farmers. Look out also for the local seafood.

Eat, drink, sleep
See the island articles for restaurants, bars, hotels, B&Bs, and campgrounds. Availability varies by island.

title: Southern Gulf Islands


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Southern Haiti

Southern Haiti is the most laid-back region of the country, home to its Caribbean coast, remote beach towns, both of the country's only two national parks, and the popular tourist spot (by Haitian standards) of Jacmel.

Cities

 * — the gem of the south, and a cultural capital for the country, which has been devastated by the earthquake.
 * — a quiet town at the tip of the southern peninsula, almost entirely isolated from the rest of the country.
 * — a small port known best as a port of entry for black market goods.
 * — a southern port city near Ïle à Vache.
 * — Aristide's birthplace, a small town with beautiful beaches.

Other destinations

 * The Cayemites

Go next
Central Haiti

Dominican Republic

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

title: Southern Haiti


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Southern Highlands

There is more than one place called Southern Highlands:

Australia

 * Southern Highlands (New South Wales) - A region south-west of Sydney.

Papua New Guinea

 * Southern Highlands (Papua New Guinea) - An area of the Highlands region.

Tanzania

 * Southern Highlands (Tanzania).

title: Southern Highlands


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Southern Highlands (New South Wales)

The Southern Highlands is southwest of Sydney in New South Wales.

Towns
Several towns in the southern highlands have a choice of accommodation, restaurants, large variety of services.

 * – largest town in the region; Don Bradman's hometown
 * – small historic town with most buildings from the 1850s (which is considered historic in the modern New South Wales context)
 * – regional centre and a popular roadside stopover destination, home to the Big Merino.
 * An effective suburb of the nation's capital Canberra, but part of New South Wales
 * An effective suburb of the nation's capital Canberra, but part of New South Wales
 * An effective suburb of the nation's capital Canberra, but part of New South Wales
 * An effective suburb of the nation's capital Canberra, but part of New South Wales

Smaller towns and villages
Smaller towns and villages offer general stores, cafes, and other local attractions.

Other destinations

 * – one of the state's newer national parks.
 * – with eye-catching lakes.
 * – one of the state's newer national parks.
 * – with eye-catching lakes.
 * – with eye-catching lakes.

Understand
The Southern Highlands is within commuting distance of Sydney and is popular for weekends away from Sydney. It is a cooler climate than Sydney. It has more identifiable seasons than Sydney, with a cooler spring, and leaves falling in Autumn.

Get in
The district can be reached by train from Sydney and by car via the Hume Highway. Allow 80 minutes to travel by car from Sydney to Bowral unless driving on a weekday afternoon when an additional 30-45 minutes will be needed. Friday afternoon traffic can be particularly bad.

By car
Private car is the easiest way to travel around the villages of the Southern Highlands.

By bicycle
Cycling around the many country lanes and national parks can be a pleasant way to see the area. Moss Vale and Bowral are linked by a pleasant cycleway by the river. Mittagong to Bowral is more problematic, with the highspeed four lane road being the only route past Mt Gibraltar without going over it!

By public transport
The region has a local bus company, which also connects to Nowra allowing access to the Shoalhaven.

See

 * The Morton National Park has view, waterfalls, cliffs, bushwalks, and picnic and cycling opportunities access the park at Bundanoon, Tallong and Fitzroy Falls. The Macquarie Pass National park waterfalls, views, and more bushwalking and cycling opportunities.  Access the National Park from Robertson.
 * Flower gardens at Bowral

Do

 * Cricket tragics can't miss the Bradman Museum attached to Bradman Oval in Bowral. A walking tour of Bowral starting at the museum passes a number of historic sites connected with Sir Donald Bradman.

Eat
Most of the small towns of the Southern Highlands have cafes or small restaurants. A more extensive choice of restaurants is in the major towns at Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale, Bundanoon and Berrima.

There are also several wineries in the area which serve food.

Short diversions off the main highway from Sydney can give a much more pleasant and tasty place to eat than the highway services.

Drink
There are country pubs in Bundanoon, Sutton Forest and Berrima. There is more serious nightlife in the larger towns of Bowral, Mittagong and Moss Vale. The Bowral scene is more upmarket, and caters more for the tourist traffic. The Moss Vale pubs by contrast seem a little smaller & friendlier, catering for locals & tourists.

Sleep

 * Berrima Bakehouse Motel  is in Corner Wingecarribee Street and Old Hume Highway, Berrima, New South Wales.
 * Country Inn Motels is a popular motel chain in Southern Highlands, NSW. It has motels in Berrima, Bundanoon, and Moss Vale.
 * River Island Nature Retreat  secluded naturist resort in 1500 acres along the Wollondilly River. Access via the Wombeyan Caves Road, approximately 39km from Mittagong.

Stay safe
The southern highlands is generally a safe area. Beware of some alcohol fueled violence in the larger towns, like Moss Vale. Many of the roads in the area can be narrow and sometimes unsealed. There can also be cyclists and pedestrians walking on the roads.

Go next
If you are travelling from Sydney you have made it half way to Canberra. It is only a short drive down the highway to Goulburn.

If you are travelling on to Sydney, consider taking the Illawarra Highway from Moss Vale over the Macquarie Pass via Robertson and Wollongong, with spectacular winding mountain roads, and coastal views, and only adding 30 minutes or so to the trip to Sydney.

title: Southern Highlands (New South Wales)


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Southern Highlands (Tanzania)

Southern Highlands is a region of Tanzania.

Other destinations

 * Mufindi
 * Uduzungwa Mountains National Park
 * Kitulo National Park
 * Iringa Rock Paintings
 * Isimilia Stone Age Site
 * Isimilia Stone Age Site

Get around
Base yourself in Iringa to visit this region. New gates on the West of Uduzungwas make this park very accessible from the town and Ruaha is one of the hidden gems among Africa's parks.

Mufindi is a short drive or bus journey from Iringa and worth a couple of days.

Too many people race past this gem of a place to try and get to the beaches of Zanzibar and miss one of the really inspiring places that Africa often keeps so well hidden.

See
Ruaha National Park is a stunningly beautiful park with the widest variety of wildlife in east Africa. It is the park all the people in the know go to. No traffic jams of safari vehicles which you find in the north and low park fees, only US$20. Uduzungwas is an unexplored wilderness and a birder and hikers paradise. Get info from Riverside campsite on a fabulous new campsite near one of the new park entrances. Ask at Neema Crafts (a fabulous project in itself which is well worth a visit and a tour of their centre) about the rock paintings newly discovered in the area.

Isimilia stone Age Site is one of the best stone age sites in the world. It is just outside Iringa town and as an amazing array and number of stone age tools discovered at the site. A hike there through the gorge between the fabulous eroded towers of rock is well worth it.

Mufindi is a great place to stop to see another side of Africa. Wander amid lush fields of tea in stunning hill and forest scenery with breathtaking views. Stay at Matamba farm cottages or Foxes Highland lodge. A great place to go to unwind.

Do not pass through this beautiful part of Tanzania without at least a day or half day in Iringa and make sure you visit Neema Crafts Centre for People with disabilities. Ask for a tour of their centre and they will be happy to show you round. It is a truly heartwarming project and one of the most remarkable you will find in Africa. It is also a great place to get the lowdown on the sights and people of this region.

Eat
Neema Crafts Centre is the place to eat here. Great food, great prices in a great environment in the heart of Iringa. Wifi internet or use their internet cafe. They may have a guest house/hostel.

Local delicacies: chips mayai (chip omelette), Ugali, etc., for the more exotic in some villages you still find a few of the elders who eat Sondo. These are the grubs of various species of wood borer beetles from different acacia trees which they deep fry. They range in size from an inch long to four inches. If you can get you head around popping them in your mouth they are really very nice with an interesting texture!

title: Southern Highlands (Tanzania)


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Southern Illinois

Southern Illinois is a region in the American state of Illinois. It is primarily agricultural, like most of Illinois outside Chicagoland, but includes some attractive, rolling scenery that contrasts with the flatness of Central Illinois to its north. Distinctly southern in contrast to any other region in Illinois, Southern Illinois has a number of unique influences from the Midwest and Upland South.

Cities

Understand
In contrast to northern and central Illinois, Southern Illinois was primarily settled by Southerners from Virginia and Kentucky, giving it a distinctive upland south culture. In general, the area's accent and culture share far more in common with Missouri and Indiana than Chicagoland and Wisconsin. The area is fiercely independent and, while friendly, does not particularly care for Chicago.

Several communities in the region have very old and unique histories as the area was the first one settled in the state and, given its relative remoteness, it attracted more than a few Utopian communities. Each town tends to be very proud of its unique history and views itself as distinct from other ones in the area.

The nickname "Little Egypt" is often used to refer to the region. This stems from the City of Cairo, located at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.

Get in
Lambert Field in St. Louis is the closest major airport to almost all of the region, with flights to and from most destinations in the U.S. and a few international destinations. From there BART Airport Shuttle, +1-800-284-2278, provides door-to-door service to Carbondale, and other destinations in Southern and Central Illinois for around $50. Call for a quote.

Flights to and from St. Louis arrive at Williamson County Airport (four flights daily, each way), which is also served by BART.

Metropolis is slightly closer to Nashville International Airport than to Lambert Field.

Get around
Southern Illinois is largely connected by the following interstates:

 * Interstate 64: This major interstate connects Mount Vernon and the northern areas of the region to St. Louis and Evansville.
 * Interstate 57: The interstate connects Mount Vernon, Carbondale and Cairo to Chicagoland and Memphis.
 * Interstate 24: This interstate connects the region to Paducah and Nashville.

Several smaller routes also cross the region:

 * US 45: US 45 is a primary north-south route that connects Metropolis, Vienna and Eldorado to the Shawnee National Forest as well as Effingham and Paducah.
 * US 51: US 51 is a primary north-south route that connects Cairo and Carbondale. It also connects the area to Decatur and Bloomington-Normal.
 * Illinois 13: IL 13 is a primary east-west route that connects Carbondale, Harrisburg and Shawneetown.
 * Illinois 142: A northwest-southeast route connecting Mount Vernon, Eldorado and the Shawnee National Forest.

See

 * Little Grand Canyon, Cave-in-Rock, Shawnee Forest, Giant City, Jackson Falls, Bald Knob Cross, Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, Southern Illinois Wine Trail, Jonesboro Lincoln Park,

Do
Shawnee Adventure Guides offer guided rock climbing, rappelling, kayaking, canoeing, backpacking, and hiking in Shawnee National Forest.

See the "Home of Superman" in bustling Metropolis, IL, on the Ohio River in the Southern Edge of the state.

Eat
Southern Illinois's cuisine tends to be closely related to the rest of the Upland South, including Kentucky and Tennessee. Visitors can easily find staples, such as grits, barbecue and other classic Southern dishes, especially along the southernmost counties. These items tend to be harder to find once you're closer to Central Illinois. "Burgoo," a spicy stew made from any ingredients that are available, is also relatively easy to find, though in southeastern Illinois (especially around Albion and Edwards County), a version is served called "chowder." Visitors should note that "chowder" can refer to the stew itself or the social event where it's served (i.e. "We're going to the chowder.")

Drink
Like the south, Sweet tea is a popular drink in Southern Illinois.

Stay safe
In general, the area is safe. Like the rest of Illinois, weather is somewhat varied and extreme weather is possible.

title: Southern Illinois


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Southern India

Southern India comprises five major states in peninsular India and two island groups – Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea off the west coast of India and Andaman and Nicobar in the Bay of Bengal off the east coast.

Regions
Southern India has five states:

There are also three union territories:

 * Andaman and Nicobar Islands — off the eastern coast of India, a remote group of gorgeous tropical islands closer to Thailand than mainland India, almost equidistant from the cities of Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam (fondly called Vizag)
 * Lakshadweep — off the west coast of India, the rarely visited northern end of the Maldives chain
 * Pondicherry — a group of enclaves, former French territories, within Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh

Cities
Here are nine of the most notable cities.

 * (Bengaluru) — Garden City, Pub City and "Silicon Valley of India"
 * (Madras) — largest city in the region, city of temples and the base of Dravidian art and culture. "Detroit of India", a major auto hub of Asia
 * — "Manchester of Southern India", a major textile, industrial and educational hub
 * — pearl city of India and part of Silicon Plateau
 * (Cochin) — "Queen of the Arabian Sea", one of the largest port cities, with a strong air of colonial European cultures
 * — historical city famous for its Meenakshi Amman Temple, the seat of Pandyas
 * — royal city with its palaces and gardens
 * — former French enclave in India
 * (Trivandrum) — southernmost city of India with large temples, palaces and beaches

Other destinations

 * The magnificent ruins of Hampi
 * Tirupati, the most-visited Hindu temple, famed for its riches as much for devotion
 * The Brihadeeshwarar temple of Thanjavur
 * Kodaikanal, and Ooty, hill-stations and the honeymoon destination of the 1970s
 * The Backwaters of Kerala
 * Havelock Island for the beaches and the snorkelling

History
Southern India has a glorious history of more than 3,000 years. With the advent of Aryan civilization in early centuries BCE, much of the Dravidian civilizations (said to be even a base for Indus Valley civilization) were confined to Southern India, which soon became a major Dravidian bastion. Though Hinduism remained as the invisible thread that connected North and South, much of the culture and outlook remained entirely different in the two parts of the country, with the Vindhya mountains preventing Northern cultural dominance into Southern India until the Medieval period.

The ancient history of Southern India owes a lot to large empires like the Hoysalas, Chalukyas, Gangas, Kadambas, Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas and Cheras, all hailing from similar roots. The Cholas are famous for their cultural monuments and navy, which brought much of South-East Asia under its domination. The Cheras ruled much of Kongu Nadu (western Tamil Nadu) and Kerala, had extensive trading relations with the West, particularly the Greeks and the Roman Empire, as well as with Egyptians. The Pandiyas were renowned for their cultural achievements, concentrated in much of Southern Tamil Nadu. Several other Hindu dynasties including the Chalukyas and Pallavas also contributed to the cultural heritage of the region. Towards the Medieval period, the Vijayanagar Empire became one of the largest empires, covering two thirds of Southern India, particularly Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, with its capital at Hampi. The frequent attacks of Sultans of Delhi and other Northern Muslim states slowly weakened the great Vijayanagara Empire, with the final invasion in 1565 disintegrating it, giving rise to several Muslim states in Southern India that were modeled on the Mughal Empire of the North. Portuguese, Dutch and other European colonial powers fought over Southern India, with the British ultimately emerging victorious. The Mysore kingdom from the early 1400s, with its capital at Mysore, ruled for the most part by the Wodeyar dynasty, greatly expanded after the fall of the Vijayanagara Kingdom in 1565 and ruled over much of what is now Karnataka. The British started their expansion into India setting up their base in Madras and slowly growing into a major power all over India. Aside from some kingdoms which paid tribute to the British in order to maintain local rule, including Travancore, Kochi, Mysore, Hyderabad and Coorg, most of Southern India came under British dominance by the end of the 19th century.

After Indian independence in 1947, Southern India remained one of the major economic powerhouses for the new nation. South Indian cities are known for industrial growth and overall development. The growth of IT in cities like Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad, textiles in Coimbatore, auto manufacturing in Chennai, and tourism in Kerala made South Indian states race ahead of North India in terms of economic prosperity, urbanization, human resources, education and overall social development.

Geography
Southern India is mostly located on the Deccan Plateau, bordered on each side by two mountain ranges, the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, and coastal plains. The Western Ghats are one of the "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity in the world and has been listed as a.

Culture
As you enter Southern India, you'll immediately notice that there are significant differences between Southern India and Northern India, and it almost feels as if you're coming into a completely foreign country. Southern India is culturally Dravidian and is home to virtually all Dravidian ethnic groups. The origins of the Dravidians remain unclear and continue to be hotly debated. Some theorise that the Dravidians are native to the Indian subcontinent, while others suggest that they have their roots in Western Asia.

Southern India wasn't as deeply affected by the partition, and there's a great degree of tolerance towards other religions, cultures, and castes. It is still home to large Muslim and Christian minorities, who are generally well-integrated with the Hindu majority. This lack of tensions between religious groups also manifests at the ballot box; the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that forms the Indian government and is hugely popular elsewhere in India struggles to win votes in Southern India. Southern Indians are commonly stereotyped as "smart" and "intelligent". To an extent, this is true; Southern India has higher literacy rates and a higher level of human development than the rest of India.

Talk

One of the major differences between Southern India and Northern India are the languages spoken. The four major languages, Kannada (in Karnataka), Malayalam (in Kerala), Tamil (in Tamil Nadu) and Telugu (in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh) are all Dravidian languages entirely unrelated to the Indo-Aryan languages, such as Hindi, spoken in Northern India, though all of them have been heavily influenced by Sanskrit. Even the scripts of all four languages have their own separate histories.

As a rule, throughout Southern India, English is more widely spoken than Hindi. Many Southern Indians don't speak a word of Hindi, and for those that do, many only know enough to have a basic conversation.

Learning a few words of the local lingo, on the other hand, will go down well with the locals and help your interaction. Outside Tamil Nadu, southern and coastal Andhra, Hindi is still usable mainly in the urban areas. Rural areas across Southern India tend to favour the regional language.

By plane
Southern India has more international airports than Northern India, with regular connections to almost every corner of the world. Chennai is the main gateway into Southern India, handling more than 50% of all flights across South Asia along with Mumbai and Delhi. Other international airports are at Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Coimbatore, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Tiruchirappalli, which have regular connections from Middle East and South East Asia as well as popular tourist oriented charters. Visakhapatnam, Madurai and Vijayawada have customs airports (airports with restricted access). Other domestic options are Mangalore and Tirupati.

By car
Southern India is well connected by the national and state highways connecting the state capitals as well as other important cities. The newer national highways and state highways are tolled.

By bus
The state-owned bus operators in all the southern states provide excellent interstate and intrastate connections, and some service providers connect with Maharashtra and Goa as well. The government-owned bus operators feature dedicated websites and smartphone apps to provide services online. Private operators also provide interstate and intrastate service across Southern India via websites and smartphone apps.

Private bus operator schedules differ from government operators based on routes taken, passenger stops along the way and adherence to the posted departure and arrival timings. Private bus operators have a tendency to transport freight, delay departure if some seats are not occupied, and pick up additional passengers along the route to maximize their revenue per trip. This is not the case with government bus operators.

By train
The various divisions of the state-owned Indian Railways - Southern Railway headquartered in Chennai, South Central Railway headquartered in Secunderabad, South Western Railway headquartered in Hubli, Konkan Railway headquartered in Ratnagiri and Mumbai connect the various states in Southern India with Northern India.

Rajdhani Express trains are fully air-conditioned long-distance trains that connect state capitals to the national capital (rājdhānī) of New Delhi.

Shatabdi Express trains are fully air-conditioned intercity day trains connecting the state capitals as well as important cities en-route and return to the originating station the same day.

Vande Bharat Express trains are also fully air-conditioned but faster than Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains. As of November 2023, there are ten Vande Bharat Express trains in Southern India.

Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Vande Bharat trains are among the fastest in India.

Get around
The two major forms of transport within Southern India are buses and railway systems. Southern India is largely well served by organised private bus operators. They run luxury buses like Volvo, Mercedes, Kinglong Cerita buses including multi axle buses. These are air-conditioned, semi sleeper or sleeper services with online ticket booking facilities.

Houses of worship
Southern India's long history and religious tolerance are manifested in numerous examples of architectural wonders pertaining to its communities of Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jains, Buddhists and Jews.

Southern India's Dravidian architecture is quite different from that of Northern India. The most obvious, and often striking, feature is the gopuram perched on every temple entrance, a stepped, steeply rising pyramid carved with layer upon layer upon layer of fantastically detailed and brightly painted statues.

Important historical temples include Hindu temples at Mamallapuram, Tiruvannamalai, Thanjavur and Hampi, while the busiest active pilgrimage sites today are Tirupati, by some measures the entire world's busiest, Sabarimala, Palani and Madurai, which has been operating continually for over 2,500 years.

Hyderabad has several historical mosques, and the Jewish synagogue in Kochi is also famous.

Natural wonders
The vast tropical forests of Southern India are home to a variety of wild animals and flora. The largest populations of tigers and elephants in India are found in the jungles of Southern India. One can enjoy the natural beauty of these forests at places like Mudumalai, Bandipur and Periyar National Parks. Some parks arrange treks into the forest and also provide camping inside the forest. Private facilities are also available and are close by and in some cases right outside the front gate or down the road from the park.

Southern India also has some of the most beautiful beaches in India like Kovalam, Gokarna and Mangalore.

In Kerala, travelling on the backwaters (brackish lagoons and lakes) that run parallel to the Arabian Sea is an excellent way to enjoy the Kerala scenery - the houseboats are available with generators, air conditioning for the bedrooms, authentic food is prepared by on-board staff for the complete Kerala experience. The boats are at a standstill at night for food or for the night. The boats are motorised but proceed at a leisurely pace for smooth travel. The houseboats are available as per budget.

Do
Scuba diving at:
 * Andaman and Nicobar
 * Lakshadweep
 * in the Arabian Sea just off the coast of Karnataka near Murudeshwara – easily accessible from Bangalore, Mangalore, Mumbai and Goa

Eat
South Indian food is quite different from that elsewhere in the country, being mostly rice-based. They also make greater use of pulses. The typical meal is sambar or koottu (a watery curry) with rice, or avial (mixed vegetables) with rice. There are regional variations too — the coastal regions make greater use of coconut and seafood. In Kerala, it is common to use grated coconut in everything and coconut oil for cooking, while someone from elsewhere would be surprised to learn that coconut oil, can in fact, be used for cooking. Anyway, all kinds of dishes from all parts of the world can be found in cities across Southern India. A variety of sea food fresh from the sea can be found in cities like Kochi, Chennai, Mangalore and Vizag.

Here is a very incomplete list of typical standalone Southern dishes, available at economical rates, which constitute local fast food. Most of these dishes are commonly eaten for breakfast:
 * Idli, a spongy steamed cake made of lentils and rice; normally savoury, not sweet.
 * Dosa, a thin, crispy pancake again made of lentils and rice. A highly popular variant, Masala Dosa, involves stuffing the dosa with potato mash and coating the inside of the dosa with red chutney powder (masala) and serving it rolled up twice. The variations in dosa preparation differ by regions across Southern India.
 * Sevai, rice noodles, thin as vermicelli.
 * Uttapam, fried pancake made from a lentil and rice batter, with onions and other vegetables mixed in.
 * Vada, fried Indian donut, but savoury and spiced.
 * Bhat, rice based dishes prepared in various combinations and served hot across Karnataka, accompanied by raitha.

All of these can be eaten with plain yogurt (curd); chutney, a popular condiment made from practically anything; or a raitha, a small bowl of chopped cucumber, onion, tomatoes and salt mixed with yogurt (curd) and served cold for bhat.

South Indian cuisine is predominantly vegetarian, though Chettinad, Andhra, Karavali and Kerala cuisines use meat and seafood and spicy as per regional taste buds. The varieties of preparation differ by state and region as well. Each area has its variation of preparation commonly known as "special" to distinguish from the rest.

Coffee (kaapi in Tamil) tends to replace tea in Southern India.

A South Indian specialty is the banana leaf meal. This consists of steamed rice served with about two to six vegetable dishes like sambhar, porial (a dry stir-fried dish), rasam (a thin, peppery soup), koottu along with curd and buttermilk, all spread out on a disposable and environmentally-friendly banana leaf. For a non-vegetarian meal, curries or dishes cooked with mutton, chicken or fish are included. Meals are often accompanied by crisp appalams (papad). Refills of curry and rice and vegetables are often free (don't hesitate to ask for more), with men carrying buckets walking around to serve you more. After a final round of rice and curds or buttermilk or both, a traditional meal is concluded with a small banana (helps digestion) and a few betel leaves and nuts. If the meal is served on a metal tray instead of a banana leaf, a set meal like this is known as a thali instead.

Desserts include:

 * Pal payasam, a rice pudding to which nuts are sometimes added, famous in Tamil Nadu.
 * Pongal, a sweetened rice dish with the consistency of firm porridge.

Drink
Toddy (known as kallu in Kerala), obtained from coconut trees, is freely available in Kerala and consumed after fermenting.

Stay safe
Being quite a conservative region, most of Southern India shuts down as early as 9PM, outside of big cities like Bangalore. You should plan their travel accordingly. You might find it difficult to find public transport or cabs after 9PM. You should not to carry valuables or cash while traveling late.

The five states have relatively good policing, and one can contact the police in case of any emergency by dialing 100. Free ambulance service can be reached by dialing 108.

Respect
Compared to most of India (especially the North), South Indians are generally patient, easy-going, and friendly.

title: Southern India


text:
Southern Indiana

Southern Indiana is a region of the state of Indiana in the United States.

Cities

 * - the main campus of Indiana University and famous limestone quarries
 * - Hometown of world famous rocker John Mellencamp
 * - A city known for its public art and architecture.
 * - Hometown of world famous rocker John Mellencamp
 * - A city known for its public art and architecture.
 * - Hometown of world famous rocker John Mellencamp
 * - A city known for its public art and architecture.
 * - Hometown of world famous rocker John Mellencamp
 * - A city known for its public art and architecture.
 * - Hometown of world famous rocker John Mellencamp
 * - A city known for its public art and architecture.

By car
I-64 heads east-west through southern Indiana connecting New Albany with Illinois.I-65 heads north from Louisville toward Indianapolis. I-265 connects both I-64 and I-65 near New Albany. IN-37 heads from Indianapolis down to I-64. Work is being carried out to extend I-69  from Indianapolis to Evansville, via Bloomington; the section from Bloomington to Indianapolis has already opened.

By bus
Miller Trailways/Hoosier Ride, serves a number of towns within the region, from its main hub in Indianapolis' Greyhound Bus Station. One can purchase tickets at the Miller Trailways website; alternatively, if one also travels by Greyhound, one can purchase a single through ticket at the Greyhound website, with one of the coupons covering the Miller Trailways segment of the trip (typically, from Indianapolis to wherever you go in southern Indiana).

Bloomington is also connected to Indianapolis by the Go Express airport shuttle and, during the school year, by the Campus Commute shuttle (IU Bloomington - IUPUI).

By plane
While there are no major airports within Southern Indiana, the area is surrounded by 3 international airports. Indianapolis, Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky , and Louisville are all located within a short drive of the region.

The smaller  (within the region covered here as Southwestern Indiana) offers over 50 flights daily. Destinations include Chicago and Dallas on American Eagle, and Cincinnati, Atlanta, Memphis, and Detroit on Delta Connection.

Festivals and Events

 * late April Thunder Over Louisville Clarksville and Jeffersonville. The opening ceremonies to Louisville, Kentucky's Kentucky Derby Festival.  Thunder Over Louisville is the largest annual fireworks show in the country, and the best viewing is along the Indiana shore of the Ohio River.  If you plan to get a good seat, prepare to come the day before and camp.  In the afternoon, private and military aircraft provide a magnificent airshow.  After sunset, the fireworks begin and last nearly half an hour.
 * Mid-September Lanesville Heritage Weekend Lanesville. A fall festival typical of many in southern Indiana.  Is similar to a county fair, but later in the year.  Local food and crafts are available, while rides and tractor and truck pulls provide entertainment.
 * Early-mid October Harvest Homecoming Festival New Albany.  The largest festival in southern Indiana brings participants from miles around.  The festivities begin with a Saturday morning parade through the streets of New Albany.  THe festival lasts for several weeks, and includes vendor booths downtown and carnival rides.

title: Southern Indiana


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Southern Isaan

Southern Isaan is a region of Thailand. Geographically it is part of the Mun River Basin.

Cities

 * — gateway to Preah Vihear
 * (Korat) — the largest city of Isaan
 * — the Khmer ruins of Phanom Rung and Muang Tam
 * — the site of historical Khmer ruins
 * — the annual Elephant Roundup in November
 * — the site of historical Khmer ruins
 * — the annual Elephant Roundup in November
 * — the annual Elephant Roundup in November
 * — the annual Elephant Roundup in November

Other destinations

 * — Thailand's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Get in

 * Ubon Ratchathani International Airport
 * 6 trains per day each way connect Bangkok with Ubon Ratchathani, at the end of the line in the far east of the Southern Isaan region. This journey takes 8-10 hours. Other towns in Southern Isaan accessible on this train line are Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin, and Si Saket.

See

 * Phanom Rung Historical Park atmospheric Khmer temples on top of an extinct volcano

Go next

 * Preah Vihear — a Khmer temple in Cambodia. Access from Thailand depends on diplomacy between the two countries, whose governments occasionally think it wise to expend bullets and lives over the ruins.

title: Southern Isaan


text:
Southern Islands (British Virgin Islands)

The Southern lslands of the British Virgin Islands are uninhabited, but nonetheless oft visited by island-hopping yachters. They are beautiful, and provide some of the best snorkelling and diving opportunities in the territory.

Understand
Included in the region from east to west are Ginger Island (uninhabited), Cooper Island (home to a small resort), Salt Island (uninhabited), Dead Chest Island (uninhabited) Peter Island (the biggest, with a small resort and some great hiking) and Norman Island, as well as a host of other tiny islets.

Get in
There is but one mode of transport in this region, and it is boats, either private yachts or charters.

See

 * Caves at Treasure Point. Located on the west side of Norman Island are a series of caves which are half in and half out of the water, are easily explored by snorkellers.  Local legends of finding a treasure chest in one during the 1950s, together with the fact that Robert Louise Stephenson's Treasure Island was reputedly based upon Norman Island adds to the allure.
 * Indians. A collection of four pinnacles, said to vaguely resemble a Native American head dress, but much loved by both divers and snorkellers for superb coral and marine life.

Do

 * Diving. Those in Virgin Gorda might disagree, but many people feel that the best scuba diving in the BVI is located in the Southern Islands.  In addition to the wrecks of the Rhone, the Fearless and Wreck Alley, premier sites such as Shark Point, Carrot Shoal, Alice in Wonderland, the Indians, Thumb Rock and Ginger Steps (amongst many, many others) are located in the southern islands.  Sail Caribbean Divers have locations on both Cooper Island and Norman Island.  Others service the area from Tortola.

Buy
Yeah... not so much in the way of shopping in the Southern Islands. Touristy gift shops can be found on Norman Island, Cooper Island and Peter Island alongside the resorts.

Eat
There are a number of options for eating in the Southern Islands if you no longer feel like spending time in the galley. There are no other eating establishments on the Southern Islands.
 * Cooper Island, Cooper Island Beach Club has a bar and restaurant close to a plethora of mooring.
 * Peter Island, Peter Island Resort has two restaurants, both expensive, but the slightly cheaper one is in Dead Man's Bay on the east side; the more expensive one is in the main complex on the north side.
 * Norman Island, has two options. For the rowdy crowd, the Willy T is a converted barge which is a bar and restaurant, with the emphasis on bar.  To make the point: Virgin Islands Search and Rescue estimates that half of its call-outs are for drunken accidents occurring on the Willy T.  For families, Pirates is a beach bar and restaurant set on dry land.  Both of them are located in the anchorage known as the "Bight".

Drink
Pretty much covered under the "Eat" section above.


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Southern Italy

Southern Italy, sometimes known as Mezzogiorno ("Midday"), encompasses five of Italy's twenty regions.

From the bustling cities to the tranquil countryside, you will find something to love about this incredible region.

Cities

 * — the capital city of Apulia and one of the most important economic centres in Southern Italy.
 * — a city that was once the capital city of Italy when it was a kingdom during the mid-1940s.
 * (Italian: Napoli) — the third largest city (after Milan and Rome) in Italy, the capital of Campania, and the most important economic centre in Southern Italy. Also the birthplace of pizza!
 * — the capital of Basilicata.
 * — a coastal city that has one of Italy's most important commercial ports.
 * — the capital of Basilicata.
 * — a coastal city that has one of Italy's most important commercial ports.
 * — a coastal city that has one of Italy's most important commercial ports.

Other destinations

 * – the wonderful stretch of coastline on the Gulf of Salerno.
 * – a typical mountain town astride the Apennines, overlooking the green Irpinian highlands.
 * – the world-famous island in the Gulf of Naples.
 * – a ghost town on a rocky hill, set of various films.
 * The ruins of, and
 * – triumph of baroque architectures in the heart of Salento peninsula.
 * – enchanting town on the west coast of Basilicata, known as "the pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea".
 * – the historic centre composed of the distinctive "sassi".
 * – the easternmost town of Italy, where Adriatic sea and Ionic sea merge.
 * – one of the most popular seaside resorts, with its endless beaches.
 * – picturesque and colorful old town on the Adriatic coast of Molise.
 * – located on a reef over a wonderful white beach, on the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria.
 * – 1,281 meters (4,203 ft) tall volcano with a stunning view over the Bay of Naples.

Understand
As a visitor, you'll very easily discover that Southern Italy has much to offer. Whether you want to enjoy some nice views of the sea, visit some historical sites, or be in the company of some very friendly people, you're bound to have a wonderful time here. A significant portion of people of Italian descent in various parts of the world (the United States in particular) have ancestors from Southern Italy. Argentina in particular has been strongly influenced by the values, norms, and traditions of Southern Italy.

Southern Italy has a rich archaelogical history, has some of the best coastlines in Italy, and an abundance of cultural opportunities. Some world-class destinations in the South include the Amalfi Coast, historical sites such as Pompeii, Herculaneum and Paestum, the world-famous Mount Vesuvius, the Irpinian mountains, and fantastic islands such as Capri, Ischia and Procida.

One of the most contentious issues in Italy is the North and South divide. The issue is so contentious that even academics, politicians, and scholars are not able to figure out what's driving this. In simple terms, this is an economic and cultural divide between Northern Italy (which is predominantly industrial and houses all of Italy's largest corporations) and Southern Italy (which is predominantly agricultural, and has some of the highest unemployment and poverty levels in Italy).

As a tourist, it is important to be mindful of this divide and to respect the culture and history of both the North and the South.

History
Southern Italy, including the region of Sicily, which is covered separately in this guide, was suffused with Greek influence and, in large part, constituted Magna Grecia in ancient times. It was during the Hellenistic period that the city of Neapolis (Greek for "New City," and now called Napoli in Italian and Naples in English) was founded and that the ruins of Paestum date from. The area was also a very important part of ancient Rome, during which period the port city of Brundisium (now Brindisi) flourished, Naples had bustling suburbs like Pompeii and Herculaneum that were preserved under the ash of a disastrous eruption of Mt. Vesuvius — a volcano which is still active and dominates over that area to this day — and the island of Capri was where emperors like Tiberius had their holidays and orgies.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the southern part of Italy came under the sway of various foreign powers, most notably Spain, whose Bourbon rulers presided over the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies for centuries. These largely absentee rulers left a local power vacuum, which was filled by regional enforcers, such as the Camorra in Campania and the 'Ndrangheta in Calabria, that wielded local power and enforced a type of rough discipline. Southern Italy's economic development was neglected by the foreign rulers, and following Italy's unification in the 1870s, the power and influence that the local enforcers — increasingly seen as organized crime syndicates — had attained was difficult to counteract and served as a continuing brake on the advancement of the area.

Following World War II, the Italian economic miracle had much less effect in the south than in the regions further north, as money from the central government continued to be siphoned into the pockets of the organized crime families, with collaboration from the Christian Democrat-led local and national governments. Since the 1990s, with the Christian Democrats and their coalition partners defeated and in some cases replaced by officials who have spent more money on behalf of the people, conditions have improved in some areas of the south, with examples of decreases in crime, poverty and unemployment and improvements in infrastructure and order, but depressing counterexamples, such as repeated garbage crises in Naples, have persisted. Southern Italy still has a lower standard of living, higher unemployment and poorer infrastructure than Northern Italy.

Culture
Southern Italy is proud of its role in the history of the arts. It is perhaps particularly noted in the field of music, in which traditional Neapolitan songs are beloved worldwide. Naples is also important in the history of opera, as many important operas were premiered at Teatro di San Carlo, which was completed in 1737 and is the oldest opera house still standing in Italy.

Talk
Southern Italian dialects (at least some of which are considered separate languages by linguists) can be very hard for people used to Tuscan or other Northern Italian dialects to understand. Even when locals speak standard Italian, you may find their accents difficult. Never fear: Just ask them to repeat things more slowly (Ripeti più lentamente, per piacere: Repeat more slowly, please).

Some people speak some English, but do not expect to be able to get by easily with English alone. Spanish-speakers will have a much easier time, because centuries of Spanish rule as part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies has infused local speech with a good deal of Spanish influence.

Eat
Southern Italian cuisines are fantastic, and part of the draw of this part of the country. In general, they are based on pasta, extra-virgin olive oil and soft cheese, and feature plenty of seafood, given the area's long sea coast and history of fishing and maritime trade. In addition its mild climate allows the production of a lot of fruit, tomatoes and vegetables which are also exported everywhere in Europe.

In addition, the pastries of Southern Italy, especially Campania, are legendary and much appreciated throughout the world. This is the land of cannoli, baba and many other delicious sweets.

A special word about pizza is merited, as pizza margherita — whose colors of red (tomatoes), white (mozzarella di bufala: fresh mozzarella cheese made from European buffalo milk) and green (basil) correspond to the Italian flag — was invented in Naples, and the protected designation la vera pizza napoletana ("real Neapolitan pizza") is considered a mark of quality both within and outside of Italy.

Drink
Southern Italy has been a wine-growing area since ancient times, and many of the wines produced in this part of the country are famous today.

There are also some excellent mineral waters from this region. Perhaps the most interesting is a naturally lightly-carbonated mineral water from the slopes of Vulture, Basilicata.

Stay safe
Parts of Southern Italy have a bad reputation for purse-snatching and other property crimes, so make sure to be alert and take sensible precautions.

Corruption and organized crime continue to be issues in this part of the country. However, violence resulting from these activities is very rare, and it's uncommon for tourists and visitors to be involved, whether or not there's violence.

Basilicata, Molise and inner Campania are considered by statistics to be the safest districts of Southern Italy.

Respect
Generally speaking, Southern Italy also has a much more traditional feel compared to the more progressive north. This can be seen in everything from the slower pace of life to the more traditional cuisine.

Church attendance in the South is quite high. As obvious as it may sound, always behave respectfully when entering places of worship and try to avoid speaking about religion in a negative manner or from a secular point of view.

The concept of family is taken a bit more seriously in Southern Italy. Be mindful of that while you’re there.

Avoid joking about or discussing the Mafia; it's a rather sensitive issue in the South and probably a lot of people are well-aware of how they are often stereotyped as "mobsters" or "gangsters" in popular culture. If this is in your repertoire of jokes, keep it to yourself; it is very rude to perpetuate such stereotypes.

The North and South divide issue can be a touchy, emotive, and highly polarising subject to discuss. Southern Italians in general feel that the region is often overlooked.

Go next
If you plan on staying in Italy for long, why not explore neighbouring Sicily? You have the chance to visit one of Italy's autonomous provinces and a region that is rich in culture and history.

You can also consider visiting Lazio, which is where the capital city, Rome is located.

title: Southern Italy


text:
Southern Lakes

There is more than one place called Southern Lakes:

Kentucky

 * Southern Lakes (Kentucky) - A region in Kentucky.

New Zealand

 * Southern Lakes (New Zealand) - A region of large glacial lakes in inland South Canterbury, Otago and Southland, in the Southern Alps, on the South Island of New Zealand.

title: Southern Lakes


text:
Southern Lakes (Kentucky)

Kentucky's Southern Lakes region is in the middle of the state's southern border with Tennessee, and is home to Lake Cumberland.

Cities

 * — the self proclaimed "Houseboat Capital of the World"
 * — the self proclaimed "Houseboat Capital of the World"

Understand
The term "Southern Lakes" is used for tourism promotion, but generally not by locals. The traditional local name for most of the region is Pennyrile, taken from the local pronunciation of "pennyroyal", a plant common in the area. The far east of the "Southern Lakes", depending on the speaker, may overlap with the state tourism region of Daniel Boone Country, which in turn is part of the region locally known as Eastern Kentucky or the Eastern Coalfield. "Pennyrile" still sees use, but in recent decades the term South Central Kentucky (which also includes most or all of the Caves and Lakes region, depending on the speaker) has been increasingly used for this area.

title: Southern Lakes (Kentucky)


text:
Southern Lakes (New Zealand)

The Southern Lakes are glacial lakes found in the Southern Alps of the lower South Island of New Zealand. Many of the major South Island tourist destinations are found in this region.

Other destinations

 * – glacial lake
 * – glacial lake

Do

 * Walk the Milford Track

title: Southern Lakes (New Zealand)


text:
Southern Laos

The southern region of Laos is comprised of 6 provinces: Attapeu, Champasak, Khammouane, Saravan, Savannakhet, and Sekong.

Regions

 * — its Khmer ruins have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site
 * — the "Four Thousand Islands" in the Mekong River
 * — known for its wild and mountainous terrain, waterfalls and diversity of ethnic minority communities

Other destinations

 * — an elevated region crossed by several rivers and has many scenic waterfalls and coffee plantations. Itineraries are available for self-guided motorcycle touring of this area.
 * — a small riverside town that is one of the main stations for boat and bus services to Don Det and Don Kon, the two most popular of the "4,000 Islands"

Understand
The south is less mountainous than the north and central regions of Laos. Because of this, there is more arable land and therefore a relatively dense population for Laos, especially in Savannakhet and Champasak provinces. Southern Laos has the second and third largest cities in Laos: Savannakhet and Pakse, respectively.

By air
Pakse airport is the most popular entry point into southern Laos, as of Oct 2023. International flights run from Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap, while domestic routes include Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

By land
Cambodia:
 * As of Oct 2023, there is one official crossing point, at Nong Nok Khiene (Laos) - Tropaeng Kreal (Cambodia).

Thailand:
 * The border crossing at Chong Mek (Thailand) - Vang Tao (Laos) is open daily from 06:00 - 20:00 (Oct 2023). This crossing is within easy reach of Pakse.
 * The Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge No. 2 affords easy access to the city of Savannakhet from the Thai town of Mukdahan.
 * The Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge No. 3 likewise provides a convenient way to get between the Thai town of Nakhon Phanom and Thakhek in Laos.

Vietnam:
 * Daensavan checkpoint in Savannakhet
 * Na pao checkpoint in Khammouane
 * Phoukeua checkpoint in Attapeu
 * Lalai checkpoint in Saravan

Get around
Long-distance bus is the most common method of transport between different towns in southern Laos.

See
Wat Phou are ruins of a milennium-old Angkorian temple complex hidden in the mountains 10 km from Champasak and 40 km from Pakse.

Khone Phapheng are the largest waterfalls in South-East Asia. They are reachable by boat from Don Khon.

Si Phan Don are the 4,000 islands on the Mekong near the Cambodian border.

Do
Popular motorcycle routes include the Thakhek Loop and the Bolaven Plateau Loop.

Stay safe
Border officials at the border crossings have a bad reputation for making up extra (usually small) fees and even extorting money from travellers by using the threat of withholding a stamp or not returning your passport. Read the google reviews for your chosen border crossing to see what you're in for.

Go next
Fly from Pakse direct to Luang Prabang, Siem Reap, or Ho Chi Minh City.

Cross the Thai border to visit the Isaan region, home of Thailand's 2nd largest ethnic group, the Thai Lao. Despite having 30% of Thailand's population, this region receives less than 3% of the tourists.

title: Southern Laos


text:
Southern Lower Saxony

Southern Lower Saxony contains the hilly and mountainous parts of this state, namely the Upper Harz mountains, Weser and Leine Uplands with their respective foothills and valleys as well as the Western portion of the Eichsfeld region.

Cities

 * , biggest city and transportation hub of the region, mainly known for its university and research institutions

Harz

 * — charming spa town, ancient cable cars, and a base for walks in the surrounding hills
 * — the main ski resort and cable car to Lower Saxony's highest peak, the Wurmberg
 * — a resort in the Harz. Its manufactures include textiles and wood products. The town was once a centre for the mining of copper, zinc, and lead
 * — former Free Imperial Town with a more than 1000-year old history
 * — former mining town
 * — the highest settlement in Lower Saxony and base for numerous walks

Weser and Leine Uplands

 * – famous for the Pied Piper of Hamelin legend
 * – "Town of three rivers" where Werra and Fulda issue into the Weser, picturesque with half-timbered houses and Renaissance buildings
 * – famous for the Pied Piper of Hamelin legend
 * – "Town of three rivers" where Werra and Fulda issue into the Weser, picturesque with half-timbered houses and Renaissance buildings

By plane
The closest airport is Hanover, 65–160 km north of this region. From their you may connect by rail to Hamelin or Göttingen in a little more than an hour. Germany's biggest air hub Frankfurt Airport is some 250–300 km away. ICE high-speed trains take you directly from the airport station to Göttingen in less than two hours.

By train
The region's only ICE stop is Göttingen which is served twice an hour from Hanover (35 minutes), Frankfurt (1:45 hours), Hamburg (2 hours) and hourly from Munich (3½ hours). From Göttingen you may transfer to regional trains to most other parts of the region. The northern parts of the Weser Uplands are however more easily reached via Hanover, from where local trains connect to e.g. Hamelin and Bad Pyrmont. If your destination is on the northern slope of the Harz, it may be preferable to change in Braunschweig, which is on the ICE line Berlin–Hanover–Cologne. Plan your exact connection with the DB booking system.

By car
Southern Lower Saxony is intersected from north to south by the Autobahn A 7 (Hanover–Kassel).

See
UNESCO World Heritage sites:
 * Rammelsberg show mine (that was continually operative for 1000 years) and mining museum (3 km south of Goslar)
 * Old town of Goslar, including the 11th-century Imperial Palace
 * Upper Harz Water Regale, system of dams, reservoirs, ditches and other structures, built during the 16th to 19th centuries, to divert and store the water that drove the water wheels of the mines, one of the largest and most important historic mining water management systems in the world, covers an area of roughly 200 sq km near Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Hahnenklee, Sankt Andreasberg, Buntenbock, Wildemann, Lautenthal, Schulenberg, Altenau and Torfhaus.

Moreover, Southern Lower Saxony features several small to medium-sized towns that have maintained their romantic, pre-modern look, making it easy to picture fairytales and legends like The Pied Piper of Hamelin that have originated from and are set in this region.

Itinaries

 * Weser-Harz-Heide cycle trail: Hann. Münden – Göttingen – Duderstadt – Herzberg – Osterode – Goslar – Wolfenbüttel (continues via Braunschweig to Lüneburg)
 * German far-distance cycle route R1 (=EuroVelo 2): (continued from Münster via Detmold) Holzminden – Einbeck – Bad Gandersheim – Goslar – Bad Harzburg (continues via Dessau to Berlin)
 * German Avenue Road (Deutsche Alleenstraße): (continued from Dessau) Vienenburg – Bad Harzburg – Goslar – Northeim – Ebergötzen – Duderstadt (continues to Fulda)
 * German Timber-Frame Road (Deutsche Fachwerkstraße) features picturebook German towns with their traditional half-timbered houses: (continued from Celle via Halberstadt and Wernigerode) Osterode – Duderstadt – Hann. Münden – Northeim – Einbeck (continues via Alfeld (Leine) to Nienburg)
 * Weser Renaissance Route: Hann. Münden – Uslar – Einbeck – Holzminden – (Höxter – Paderborn – Detmold – Lemgo) – Bad Pyrmont – Hamelin – Stadthagen (continues via Minden and Nienburg to Bremen)

Go next

 * North Hesse with Kassel and the fabled Reinhardswald forest containing "Sleeping Beauty's castle"
 * Teutoburg Forest with the early-Romanesque Corvey Abbey (UNESCO World Heritage site) just across the state border
 * Saxony-Anhalt with the eastern part of Harz
 * Hanover Region, mostly flat central part of Lower Saxony

title: Southern Lower Saxony


text:
Southern Malawi

Southern Malawi is the southern most region of Malawi, extending south from Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa) and including Lakes Malombe and Chilwa. It is the most populated region, with the most European influence and the commercial capital of Blantyre.

Cities

 * — a town with very large tea plantations, formerly known as Mlanje
 * — a town with very large tea plantations, formerly known as Mlanje
 * — a town with very large tea plantations, formerly known as Mlanje
 * — a town with very large tea plantations, formerly known as Mlanje
 * — a town with very large tea plantations, formerly known as Mlanje
 * — a town with very large tea plantations, formerly known as Mlanje

title: Southern Malawi


text:
Southern Marmara

Southern Marmara (Turkish: Güney Marmara) is the southern part of Marmara Region, Turkey.

Cities and towns

 * is a big modern city, but as the first Ottoman capital it's full of historic sights.
 * is the ferry port linking Bursa to Istanbul.
 * is an industrial city at the head of the Gulf of Gemlik.
 * is a beach resort north of the Gulf, with geothermal springs.
 * is a port with fast ferries from Istanbul.
 * is a family seaside resort.
 * is a spa town with hot springs
 * is mostly modern but has several old mosques.
 * is noted for its rugs and kilims.
 * is the regional hub on the bank of the Dardanelles.
 * has ferries to Bozcaada. A few km south are the ruins of Alexandria Troas.
 * in legend was where the Greek fleet hid before tricking their way into Troy.

Other destinations

 * was the target of the legendary Trojan Wars.
 * are a resort archipelago: Avşa has the most facilities.
 * (Kuş Cenneti Milli Parkı) is a wildlife reserve south of Bandırma.
 * is a village on a lake island linked by road. There are Roman and other antiquities and you can hire a rowing boat to plosh around the lake.
 * is a national park and wintersports resort.

Understand
Southern Marmara is simply a geographical term, as is the larger Marmara region that it's part of. Turkish local government is in 81 provinces, with no intermediate level between them and national government, and those making up this area (more or less) are Çanakkale, Balıkesir and Bursa Provinces, with a little corner of Yalova. These have little relevance to travellers, so this page describes the large peninsula lying south of the Sea of Marmara, which also has a coastline on the Aegean. It's bordered by the similarly geographical, non-administrative regions of Eastern Marmara to the northeast and east, Central Anatolia southeast, Northern Aegean south, and Eastern Thrace north and west in Europe across the sea and the Dardanelles Strait.

The long coastline meant that sea-going Hellenistic people settled it in prehistoric times. The eastern two-thirds (roughly between Bursa and Balıkesir) was the kingdom of Mysia, while the western peninsula was Troad, "the plains behind Troy". Somebody ought to have mentioned this to the Greek warriors of legend, who (lacking a reliable internet travel guide), mistook Mysia for Troy, stormed ashore and poked King Telephus in a nasty place. Later he was good enough to point out to them just where Troy was.

The Ottoman dynasty began its long march to power when it captured Bursa in 1326, and went on to rule much of the east Mediterranean and southeast Europe. But it was a cosmopolitan affair, with large (sometimes majority) Greek-speaking populations in its coastal towns, along with Armenians, Jews and other traders. Interethnic tensions rose from the 19th century as the Ottoman empire crumbled. Turkey was defeated in the First World War and then was plunged into a follow-on war as Greece tried to seize more territory. The 1923 peace treaty meant the Greeks were deported from Turkey and vice versa. All the Aegean islands were awarded to Greece except Bozcaada in this region and Gökçeada further north.

In modern times the Southern Marmara region made a living from agriculture and associated industry, which burgeoned as roads improved and brought it within a few hours of Istanbul. It has a 2000 year history of tourism, which likewise developed, but it was almost all domestic tourism - mostly on the coast, but Mount Uludağ became a ski resort. Western visitors found their way to Gallipoli and Troy but not much beyond, and the big international beach resorts lie away south of this region.

Get in

 * By air: international visitors will find it easiest to fly into one of the Istanbul airports and take the bus or hire a car. Yenişehir and Çanakkale  have flights from Ankara.
 * By boat: fast ferries (foot passengers only) ply from Istanbul across the Sea of Marmara to Güzelyalı and Mudanya (for Bursa), and to  Armutlu and Bandırma. Car ferries ply across the Dardanelles from Gelibolu, Eceabat and  Kilitbahir on the European side to Çanakkale on the Asian bank.
 * By road from Istanbul you can go either way around the sea. For western parts, 1915 Çanakkale Bridge and associated motorways opened in March 2022, soaring across the Dardanelles and cutting the 7-hour journey to Çanakkale down to 5 hours. For eastern parts, a motorway heads from Gebze to Bursa and beyond. Highway D550 / E87 follows the coast from Izmir via the Northern Aegean region to Troy and Çanakkale.
 * Buses link all the major cities and Istanbul, and anywhere on the Istanbul-Izmir route has a frequent service, with price competition between operators. From Ankara take the high-speed train to Eskişehir then the connecting bus to Bursa.
 * By train: a daily train trundles from Izmir via Balıkesir to Bandırma. One daytime and one overnight train run from Eskişehir via Kütahya to Balıkesir and Izmir. A high-speed railway is under construction towards Bursa.
 * Two itineraries cross this region, taking in as many historic sites as you've time for:
 * - Along the Troad Coast from Çanakkale to Assos in the Northern Aegean region.
 * - Istanbul to Izmir between those major cities, with a leash of possible routes.

Get around
The indiviual cities can be explored on foot or by local bus (you can even travel from Bursa to Uludağ by cable-car), but you need your own wheels to tour the region.

The principal highway is O-7 / O-5 linking Gemlik, Bursa, and Balıkesir. The tolls are high but you'll save so much time and fuel by avoiding stop-starting through the towns.

E87 / D550 follows the Aegean coast north past Troy to Çanakkale. E90 / D200 heads along the Marmara coast from Çanakkale, with O-6 branching off over the Dardanelles bridge, while D200 continues east to Bandırma, Bursa and eventually Eskişehir.

See

 * Çanakkale defended the Dardanelles and its castle is now a Naval Museum.
 * Bursa was the first city the Ottomans captured, so it was their powerbase until they gained Edirne then Constantinople. They continued to embellish and repair Bursa, so it has a series of fine mosques and noble tombs, and stretches of its city walls still stand.
 * Extensive water lily fields start to bloom in late May in Lake Ulubat (charter a boat from Gölyazı) and in Karacabey Floodplain Forest west of Mudanya.
 * Saraylar on Marmara Island was a marble quarry in Roman times, and is dotted with unfinished sculptures and funerary monuments.
 * Bird Lake (Kuşcenneti) is a wildlife reserve south of Bandırma.
 * Zagnos Pasha Mosque is the best of those in Balıkesir.
 * Troy in legend was the target of the Trojan Wars. The remains are limited - you won't find fluted Grecian columns here - but the museum is impressive.
 * Alexandria Troas near Geyikli may have been even greater than Troy, though the site is overgrown.
 * Bozcaada is an inhabited island with a harbour castle and old Greek villages.

Do

 * Hot springs gush out in many areas, such as Kestanbol near Geyikli and in the Çekirge district of Bursa.
 * Uludağ is a ski resort, with reliable snow cover from Dec to March.
 * Lots of beach resorts on the Marmara coast, including the island of Avşa. There's little on the Aegean coast, which is rugged this far north.
 * Green-Blue Road (Yeşil-Mavi Yol) is a switchback scenic road along the peninsula between Armutlu and Çınarcık near Yalova. Picnic in the woods, or plumb the depths of the two Bottomless Lakes.
 * Uludağ has numerous hiking trails amidst its coniferous forests, up to the glacial lakes and the summit. The Mysia Ways are another cluster west of Bursa. The Troy Culture Route stretches along the Aegean coast from Troy south to Assos.

Eat

 * All the Turkish and East Med staples - there's not much cosmopolitan cuisine outside Istanbul.
 * Fish is the main offering at the beach restaurants, but it may have been shipped a long distance to reach your plate.

Drink

 * Beer, wine and rakı is served in most cafes.
 * Some wine is grown locally, although the main area is north of the sea around Şarköy.

Stay safe

 * Standard advice about road traffic and care of valuables. In winter there can be heavy snowfalls even at low altitude.
 * Bears lurk in the fastnesses of Mount Uludağ above Bursa, but you're more at risk from illegal bear traps.

Go next

 * Eastern Thrace is the European part of Turkey, linked by bridge and ferry across the Dardanelles. Edirne is the highlight, and Eceabat has the Gallipoli memorials.
 * Eastern Marmara is mostly industrial sprawl, but Iznik, scene of the First Ecumenical Council in 325 AD, has preserved its ancient layout.
 * Northern Aegean region is best known for its beach resorts, but the Graeco-Roman ruins at Bergama are outstanding.
 * Istanbul is unmissable.

title: Southern Marmara


text:
Southern Maryland

Southern Maryland consists of Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties as well as the southern portions of Prince Georges and Ann Arundel counties.

Cities

 * — southern most tip of peninsula - site of Point Lookout State Park
 * — southern most tip of peninsula - site of Point Lookout State Park
 * — southern most tip of peninsula - site of Point Lookout State Park
 * — southern most tip of peninsula - site of Point Lookout State Park
 * — southern most tip of peninsula - site of Point Lookout State Park
 * — southern most tip of peninsula - site of Point Lookout State Park
 * — southern most tip of peninsula - site of Point Lookout State Park

Other destinations

Understand
Southern Maryland's economy used to be fueled by tobacco and watermen. Both activities have declined steeply. Oyster and fish stocks in the Chesapeake Bay have suffered dramatic declines since the 1980s, partly due to overfishing but largely caused by reduced water quality and introduced diseases and parasites. Efforts to improve the water quality of the bay are ongoing but because the bay watershed covers four states they are difficult to coordinate. The economy of the area is now largely governed by the heavy military presence, as the area is home to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, the Navy's primary air-test facility, and Andrews Air Force Base, the home of Air Force One. Many residents commute to Washington DC or Annapolis.

Southern Maryland was the first area in Maryland settled by Europeans. Much of the area was explored by John Smith from Jamestown in the late 1500s. It began as a Catholic colony, and has many lovely 17th- and 18th-century Catholic and Episcopal churches. The area was the hiding place of John Wilkes Booth during much of the manhunt to find him after President Lincoln's assassination, and the home of Doctor Samuel Mudd, who treated him during his escape.

Supreme Court Justice Roger Taney, infamously known as the Chief Justice who presided over the Dredd Scott decision, was from Calvert County. Other famous (or infamous) residents include author Tom Clancy (Huntingtown), and Socks, the First Cat during the Clinton Presidency (now, sadly, deceased) who lived with her owner, Clinton Secretary Bettie Curry, in Saint Mary's County.

Geologically, southern Maryland has been shaped by the Chesapeake Bay which borders it on the east and by the two major rivers which pass through it: the Patuxent, and the Potomac, which forms its western boundary. The area is characterized by low, rolling hills (most of the area is less than fifty feet above sea level); flat fields; and very steep, narrow ravines due to the easily erodable nature of its sandy soil. Most of southern Maryland was underwater many times as sea levels rose and fell over the millennia. Consequently, fossils can be found in many places, especially along the banks of the Bay and the major rivers passing through the area, the Patuxent and the Potomac. The Calvert Cliffs are geologically unique. Occurring along the Calvert County portion of the Chesapeake Bay, these are clay cliffs that range in height from just a few feet to over thirty feet. In many spots, several layers of fossil strata are clearly visible, testament to the sea life that thrived here during periods of increased sea levels. The D-Day invasions were practiced here due to the cliff's similarity to those on the French coast. Southern Maryland is particularly known for its many different kind of fossilized shark's teeth, especially those of Megalodon, an extinct relative of the Great White Shark that grew up to 60 feet long and which was probably the largest shark that ever lived. Megalodon teeth can be up to six inches (15 cm) long.

Visitor information

 * Calvert County
 * Charles County
 * St. Mary's County
 * Prince Georges County
 * Ann Arundel County

Get in
Southern Maryland is served by three regional airports: Washington Reagan National, Dulles International, and Thurgood Marshall Baltimore-Washington International.

A ride-sharing service called the Southern Maryland Express offers comfortable transportation between the region and the major airports nearby.

The major driving routes to the area from Washington, DC include Route 4 (Calvert Country) and Route 5 (Charles and St. Mary's Counties). From points south, take Route 301. From points north, take I-95 South to the Washington Beltway (I-495) and follow the Inner Loop to either the Route 4 or Route 5 exit.

There are no passenger rail lines serving Southern Maryland.

There is commuter bus service to and from Washington, D.C. that is provided by the Maryland Transit Agency.

Get around
Drive. It's the only way. If you're hard core, biking is a popular activity in southern Maryland, but be prepared to ride long distances between attractions, and you'll have to bring your own bike.

See
Saint Mary's City is an easy highlight for any visit to Southern Maryland. It was the first settlement in Maryland, the seat of the Calvert family, and Maryland's first capital. Founded in 1634, Saint Mary's City was the fourth permanent English settlement in North America, and because it was a Catholic colony, it is sometimes considered to be the birthplace of religious freedom in America. The city was almost completely abandoned by the late 1700s. It is now an active archeological site with some reconstructed buildings, notably the original statehouse and the print shop. The city chapel has been reconstructed on the original foundation. Historic interpreters are active on the grounds. The museum shows artifacts discovered on the site and has a collection of over 5 million items. The grounds include the Godiah Spray tobacco plantation, a working colonial-era farm, and a reproduction of the Dove, one of the two English ships that brought colonists to Maryland.

A popular local resort town, Solomons is an island at the inlet of the Patuxent River to the Chesapeake Bay. Many good restaurants, quirky shops with local handicrafts, and a beautiful boardwalk area. Home of the Calvert Marine Museum, University of Maryland laboratories that study the Chesapeake Bay, and the US Navy Recreation Center-Solomons. It is also within short striking distance of beautiful Calvert Cliffs State Park and the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum.

La Plata also has a couple nearby sights worth seeking out, including the Thomas Stone National Historic Site, and the historic, tiny village of Port Tobacco. Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, right by Prince Frederick is also a highlight for visitors from the north, as it is the country's northernmost cypress swamp. Point Lookout State Park, the southern tip of Maryland, near Lexington Park, is also worth a visit both for its natural beauty, and for its Civil War history and museum.

Do
There are many interesting things to do here, but one activity that is interesting is finding shark teeth. An example of a beach where you can find shark teeth is Brownie Beach in Calvert County. Here, they range from barely a millimeter up to several inches. Other items found include skate and ray teeth, porpoise teeth, and other interesting items. Fossil hunting sites include : Flag Ponds Park provides lovely views of the Chesapeake Bay, wide sand beaches, and a fishing pier as well as being an active site for finding shark's teeth.

Calvert Cliffs State Park has access to the Calvert Cliffs, site of rich fossil beds.

Bayfront Park (also known as Brownie Beach-Route 261, Calvert) is possibly the richest shark's teeth hunting site in the area.

The National Oyster Shucking Contest is held at the Oyster Festival each year in St. Mary's County (Leonardtown Fairgrounds). A fun two day event with 4H, crafts, beer stands, tractor pulling contests, and of course oysters.

Water recreation is a major pastime in the region, with the Chesapeake Bay and numerous tributary rivers as well as countless small connected creeks and coves. Motor-boating, sailing, canoeing on calmer waters, jet skis, epic fishing and waterfowl hunting are all essential activities to southern Maryland. High seasonal concentrations of "sea nettles" (the local term for jellyfish) make waterskiing and swimming less common activities, however. Swimming is possible in net protected beach areas, like Chesapeake Beach in Calvert County, for example, or in the transitional season between late spring and early summer.

Gamefish include rockfish (the Maryland word for "striped bass"), bluefish, sea trout and cobia to name some of the most popular. The names of other recreational sport fish species go to nearly a hundred. The upper reaches of Bay tributaries like the Patuxent and the Potomac Rivers have brackish to fresh water and are prime areas for catfish, as well as largemouth bass, bluegill and sunfish, perch and juvenile rockfish. Don't eat fish from the Potomac even if you see locals doing so, the river has dangerous chemical pollution. The Patuxent, other than sediment runoff, is fairly unpolluted and is also a haven for waterfowl.

Crabbing is enormously popular on docks and piers, as Maryland blue crabs cooperate in being caught and are delicious. A simple fifteen foot string tied to a chicken neck plus a long-handled cab net (available for sale almost everywhere near brackish water) are all that is needed. Crabs stubbornly hold onto raw chicken and can be slowly pulled up to the waters surface where a little practice makes them easy to net. Older kids and teenagers can learn how to do this fairly quickly. Handle with care and drop them into a tall bucket. Only hold them by the back "fins" (flat rear swimming legs) - they can easily fracture your fingers with their claws. Those same claws, however are a southern Maryland delicacy not to be missed. 20 minutes on Youtube will teach you everything you need to know about how to boil or steam, crack and eat these magnificent treats.

Crab numbers have been lower commercially of late, but they are still reasonably available near docks and piers. Do not hunt for crabs on river sandbars. Those bars are often near dangerous currents with undertows. Don't let apparently calm waters deceive you, they can hide strong under-surface rips and you can drown in them. In Southern Maryland, locals call them "rips", but unlike sideways ocean rips, these river rips can pull you straight down more than 40 feet. In 1976 seven people drowned in 20 minutes after being pulled off a tidal sandbar and strait down underwater by current on the Patuxent River a half mile from its mouth on the Chesapeake Bay. They had been crabbing on the sandbar in only three feet of water. The word "rip" in the Chesapeake Bay part of Maryland does not have the same meaning as ocean rip currents. It means "undertow" and it can take you deep very quickly.

Stay safe
Southern Maryland isn't exactly dangerous territory, but visitors should take some precautions. Poison ivy is widespread along forest edges. It shouldn't prevent you from enjoying nature, but learn to recognize it before you go off-trail. Ticks, mosquitoes and chiggers abound during summer months. Humidity can be quite high during the summer, so stay well hydrated. The Copperhead, a venomous snake, is found in some areas. Jellyfish live in the Chesapeake Bay during warm-weather season, and can be a hazard to swimmers.

Eat
Fish and seafood is absolutely the focus of food in this region. Much of the regional cuisine of southern Maryland is related to the Chesapeake Bay. Local foods include steamed blue crabs, fried soft-shelled crabs, rockfish (also known as striped bass), oysters, and southern Maryland stuffed ham, a spice concoction of greens stuffed into a cured ham. The Chesapeake Bay oyster population crashed in the 1980s and has not yet recovered, so local oysters are difficult to find.

Southern Maryland also has excellent barbecue, which is similar in style to North Carolina barbecue-smoked, pulled pork, basted with an oil/vinegar sauce.

Drink
This area has many vineyards and breweries, including in Leonardtown and Solomon's Island. Country church food events are often advertised in the fall that are open to all and include home cooked food and locally pressed southern Maryland apple cider. It is delicious. Churches will not serve hard cider, however. It is just the sweet, tangy juice.

Local Amish Markets in Upper Marlboro in southern Prince Georges County and Mechanicsville in St. Mary's County serve Amish cider in the fall, which is different and is not to be missed. Don't miss out on Amish fudge either.

The below vineyards are part of Maryland's Patuxent Wine Trail:

title: Southern Maryland


text:
Southern Minnesota

Southern Minnesota is a region roughly south and west of the Twin Cities region of Minnesota.

Regions
Its regions includes Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Martin, Meeker, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Sibley, Steele, Swift, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan, Winona, and Yellow Medicine counties.

Cities

 * , home to the world's largest ball of twine
 * , home to the world's largest ball of twine
 * , home to the world's largest ball of twine
 * , home to the world's largest ball of twine
 * , home to the world's largest ball of twine
 * , home to the world's largest ball of twine

Get in
Drive:

From the West => I-90 or highway 212 from South Dakota

From the East => I-90, Highway 14 or state highways in Wisconsin

From the North => I-35

From the South => I-35

Get around
The overwhelming majority of people in southern Minnesota commute via personal automobile.

Interstate 90 runs east-west 15 miles north of the Iowa border, from Sioux Falls, SD, to Worthington, Jackson, Fairmont, Albert Lea, Austin, Rochester, and into La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Running diagonally from Worthington to the Twin Cities metro area is highway 169, which is 4 lane in many areas.

The region is quite flat, and has many lightly-traveled paved roads that provide wonderful cycling opportunities.

In the winter, ample snowfall allows for the use of snowmobiles, on both groomed trails and in snow-packed ditches. In winters with heavy snowfall and below-freezing temperatures, snow accumulation can become deep enough for traveling across open fields and through wooded areas.

If you find yourself on top of water, odds are you are in a boat. With many gorgeous, unpretentious lake available, many southern MN residents possess watercraft, from jet skis and wave runners to large fishing boats and pontoons.

See

 * Austin: SPAM museum!
 * Albert Lea: 2 large lakes in the middle of the town! Beautiful camping opportunities abound!
 * Fairmont: The land of many lakes, there is ample fishing and water sport fun to be had.
 * Mankato: Minnesota State University - Mankato has many attractions and events. This university town has a quaint downtown and a better-than average drinking scene (and cheap too!)
 * Owatonna: National Farmer's Bank - This is considered the most beautiful of banks designed by Louis Sullivan and is a National Historic Landmark.
 * Lake Shetek: A 4000+ acre lake in Murray county, consisting of the many islands, bays, coves, and parks. The nearest small town in Currie. Slayton is located 10 miles to the south, and Marshall is a quick 20 minutes north.
 * Luverne: Visit Blue Mounds State Park, where the buffalo were run off the straight cliffs. An interesting array of flora exists here that cannot be found anywhere else in Minnesota. It's a wonderful place to watch a sunset!
 * Winona: This old river town, with cute B&Bs, a lively downtown, a mid-sized university (Winona State), and close proximity to La Crosse, WI, has much to offer. For the adventurous type, there are many mountain-bike trails in the river bluffs, endless canoeing and kayaking opportunities, fishing galore, winter ice skating, x-country skiing, cycling, etc.

Do
Fishing

title: Southern Minnesota


text:
Southern Mozambique

Southern Mozambique consists of Mozambique's capital city Maputo, and the provinces of Gaza, Inhambane, and Maputo.

Cities

 * - the capital and largest city of the country
 * - a quaint historical town on a bay, opposite Maxixe
 * - a coastal beach town, with access to Vilanculos
 * - an industrial city of nearly half million people and the capital of Maputo Province
 * - a bustling city on a bay, opposite Inhambane city and the capital of the Inhambane Province
 * - a remote town in the far south of the country, more easily accessed from South Africa than from Maputo
 * - one of the most popular spots in the country with lots of food and accommodation and some of the best scuba diving in Africa
 * - another popular vacation spot with good beaches and the gateway to excellent islands and scuba diving in the nearby Bazaruto Archipelago
 * - capital of the Gaza Province, and well-known for its beach, Praia de Xai-Xai
 * - capital of the Gaza Province, and well-known for its beach, Praia de Xai-Xai

Other destinations

 * - one of the most beautiful spots on the continent with great diving and some upmarket resorts on deserted islands
 * Maputo Special Reserve - formerly known as the Maputo Elephant Reserve, the animals in this Reserve a growing rapidly and is becoming a popular day trip from Maputo, or a good stopover place on the way to Ponta D'Ouro

Get in
Maputo airport

Do
Beaches are famed for their diving - in the south Ponto do Ouro is the most popular. It is also a good place to go swimming with dolphins. There is also Bilene north of Maputo, and further on Chidenguele. Quissico has some of the most incredible beach views you will see in Mozambique.

Safaris can be taken into the Maputo Special Reserve (formerly the Maputo Elephant Reserve) or up into Limpopo National Park. Neither of these reserves has the number of animals as across the border in South Africa, but they offer a raw African safari experience.

title: Southern Mozambique