text:
Central Laos

Central Laos shares borders with Thailand and Vietnam, as well as with Northern and Southern Laos.

Regions
From north to south:

 * Hua Phan — Bordering Vietnam, this region contains former Pathet Lao caves near Vieng Xai. The regional capital is Sam Neua.
 * Xiangkhoang — The regional capital is Phonsavan and this province is popular for the Plain of Jars.
 * Vientiane — Home to the capital, Vientiane and backpacker favourite Vang Vieng.
 * Bolikhamxai — The regional capital is Paksan.
 * Khammuan — The regional capital is Tha Khaek.

Cities

 * - access point for the Plain of Jars.
 * - for access to Vieng Xai.
 * - a popular base for exploring the Phou Hin Boun National Park including the famous Konglor Cave.
 * - riverside town known for backpackers and tubing.
 * - famous for the Pathet Lao caves.
 * - Laos' capital.
 * - famous for the Pathet Lao caves.
 * - Laos' capital.

Other destinations

 * - hundreds of mysterious stone jars strewn across several sites.
 * - hundreds of mysterious stone jars strewn across several sites.

Understand
What is now Xaisomboun Province (since December 2013) used to be a region during the Vietnam War where the US military recruited Hmong people as support against the North Vietnamese Army. The east of the province still sees unexploded ordnance. With the end of the Vietnam War, the new communist government of Laos singled out Hmong that supported the US for retribution and committed atrocities against the Hmong people. Due to the subsequent Hmong conflict the government introduced the Xaisomboun Special Zone that existed from 1994 to 2006 and was sealed off for foreigners. Even after resolving the Special Zone, as late as 2011, there have been reports of foreign motorcyclists being asked to turn back, pay hefty fines or being detained for entering the area. Now the province sees efforts to open it up to tourism, with 2016 as 'Visit Xaisomboun Year'.

Get in
Xiang Khouang Airport

Get around
The best way to get around is via motorcycle, almost all roads are dirt roads. Hitchhiking might be possible however traffic is very low. There seems to be boat service on Nam Ngum 2 Lake from the south-west end to the east end of the lake.

See

 * Plain of Jars - hundreds of mysterious stone jars strewn across several sites.

Go next

 * Northern Laos
 * Southern Laos
 * Isaan, Thailand
 * Vinh, Vietnam

title: Central Laos


text:
Central Line Islands

The Central Line Islands are three uninhabited islands in Oceania.

Two are part of:

 * Line Islands, Kiribati

One is a US-administered territory.

 * Jarvis Island

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

title: Central Line Islands


text:
Central Luzon

Central Luzon is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines.

This "super region" is in the north of Manila. Home to seven provinces, this region has different and distinct cultures.

Provinces
While Pangasinan is historically and culturally part of this region, it is now part of the Ilocos Region (Region I), and included in that article. Aurora was separated officially from Quezon Province in 1979, it was transferred from Southern Tagalog to Central Luzon in 2002 after Southern Tagalog was divided into Calabarzon & Mimaropa.

Cities

 * - a thriving regional city partly due to the former U.S. Air Force's Clark Airbase which has been converted to a business and leisure hub with world-class casinos, resorts, hotels, shopping malls and duty-free shops
 * - Nueva Ecija's largest city features the Camp Pangatian Shrine and the General Luna Statue and Marker, both are historical sites.
 * - the provincial capital of Bulacan, popular for its historical landmarks, old churches, ancestral houses and of course sweet delicacies!
 * - the regional capital of Central Luzon, it is famous for its "Giant Lantern Festival" during the month of December

Other destinations

 * - a surfer's paradise also famous for its history and rugged coastlines
 * - the location of the Shrine of Valor (Dambana ng Kagitingan), a national shrine atop Mount Samat
 * - a former U.S naval base which is now a popular tourist destination home to beaches, eco-parks, industrial parks, resorts and casinos

Understand
The region lies in a largely flat area north of Metro Manila, and provides much of the rice grain sold in the Philippines, but there are also some mountain and foothill areas. Mountain ranges separate the coastal provinces of Zambales and Aurora from the mostly flat interior.

The region has a population of over 11 million, but is disproportionately concentrated in Bulacan and Pampanga, all along the North Luzon Expressway, an important transport corridor between the region and Metro Manila. The province of Aurora is the least dense and populated.

The region's major ethnic groups are the Tagalogs, the Kapampangan, the Pangasinan, and the Sambal. The Kapampangan form the majority in Pampanga and Tarlac, and the Tagalog dominate the remainder. Pangasinan forms the second largest ethnic group in Tarlac, due to much of the province being formed out of areas of Pangasinan. The Sambal are the majority in the province of Zambales, but the Tagalog now dominate there. There are also Ilocano communities, mostly found in northern Nueva Ecija, Aurora, and Tarlac, southeast Bataan, and southern Zambales.

The Aeta (Negrito) are the indigenous inhabitants of Central Luzon, but land-grabbing, discrimination and assimilation threatens their lifestyle, culture, and language.

Talk
Tagalog is the primary language of the region, and is the native tongue of many residents of the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, and Zambales. The dialect of Tagalog spoken in Central Luzon is similar to the one spoken in Manila, and is the basis of the national language Filipino, though there are a few dialectal terms that persist in the region, such as ere ("this") in Bulacan. There is not much distinctive with the Central Luzon Tagalog accent, but one common stereotype is of Bulacan Tagalog speakers pronouncing the name of their province as bul-LAH-kan. The Tagalog dialect spoken in Aurora is basically the same as Southern Tagalog dialect in Quezon, President Manuel L. Quezon who is considered the Father of National Language because he chose Tagalog as the basis of national language was born and raised in Baler, Aurora.

Kapampangan, a language that looks like a divergent dialect of Tagalog at first sight, is spoken by about 2 million in Pampanga and Tarlac; it is also spoken in southeast Zambales, northeast Bataan, southwest Nueva Ecija, & some areas of Aurora. Sambal, which Kapampangan is more related to, is spoken by a few in Zambales; it has been largely supplanted by Tagalog and Ilocano.

On northern Tarlac, northeast Zambales, and northwestern Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan is widely spoken; Pangasinan is also spoken in some areas of Aurora. There are also Ilocano-speaking communities in Central Luzon, especially in the northern parts of Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Aurora, southeast Bataan, and south Zambales, making Ilocano the lingua franca in that area.

Get in
Central Luzon lies within the approximately radius  of Manila, and transportation is not hard to find.

By plane
While many travellers come through Ninoy Aquino International Airport to the south, Clark International Airport (, formerly but also called Diosdado Macapagal International Airport) has both domestic and international flights. It is smaller, but better and convenient, without the long lines and corruption you may encounter at Manila airport.

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines and its regional subsidiary PAL Express has domestic flights to most points in the Philippines, and an international flight to Seoul. Budget carriers such as Cebu Pacific (and regional subsidiary Cebgo) and AirAsia also have both domestic and international flights from Clark as it has lower landing fees. Some international carriers such as Asiana Airlines, Emirates, and Qatar Airways also have flights to Clark.

By bus
Victory Liner, Five Star, Genesis Transport and Philippine Rabbit provide bus service to most of Central Luzon from Manila.

By car
The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) connects the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga with Manila. Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) connects Subic port with Tarlac, hence the name, while SCTEX's physical connection Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) provides access to the rest of Tarlac province. NLEX and SCTEX meet around Angeles, at the suburb of Mabalacat.

Get around
Central Luzon's major destinations are served by many bus routes, the bulk being operated by companies such as Victory Liner (most destinations in Zambales, including Olongapo), Philippine Rabbit (Angeles, most destinations in Tarlac), Baliwag Transit and Golden Bee (most destinations in Bulacan and Nueva Ecija, except those served by suburban bus routes from Manila), and Genesis (most services to Bataan and Aurora).

The region has a decent network of highways, the main ones being the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Maharlika Highway (Rte 1/AH26 Jose Abad Santos Avenue (Rte 3) and the Santa Rosa–Tarlac Road (Rte 58). A third expressway, the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CCLEX, aka Central Luzon Freeway) has been partially opened, but only between Tarlac City and the rural municipality of Aliaga; continuing to Cabanatuan still involve drives through the older highway. Mountain roads link Aurora with the rest of Central Luzon

See
Pampanga may be on the top of the head of most visitors due to its history and culture, and Clark Airport being there, but the provinces also have their share:

 * Bulacan has many historical sights, mostly related to the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War
 * Bataan was the last strongholds of Filipino and American as the Philippines fell to the Japanese during the Pacific War. The Mount Samal National Shrine, with the cross-shaped Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor) as its centerpiece, is established in memory of both Filipinos and Americans who died in the war. Mariveles, a port town at the tip of the peninsula, served as the starting point of the infamous Bataan Death March, which ran for 102 km up to San Fernando. Bataan also hosts the Philippines first and only nuclear power plant, which remained inoperational; it remains open as a museum. Bagac on the western coast is home to Las Casas de Acuzar, a living museum home to various old buildings and structures from the Spanish colonial era.

Do

 * Climbing, trekking and off-roading at Mount Pinatubo
 * Climbing Mount Arayat
 * Surfing on the Aurora coast. Baler, its capital is known as the birthplace of Philippine surfing culture.
 * Bird-watching at Candaba Swamp and Balanga
 * Island-hopping at Magalawa Island in Palauig, Zambales.

Stay safe

Central Luzon is prone to weather extremes, from blistering heat in the dry season (summer), and heavy downpours and typhoons in the wet season. Places like Nueva Ecija are prone to sweltering heat during the hot months, with heat indexes soaring to the 40s to 50s bracket. The rainy season between late May to late Septembers brings heavy rain, also risking floods on the plains and landslides on mountainous areas, and typhoons can further exacerbate the danger, with wind gusts and more rain.

While many people in the region still recall a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake in 1990 and the climatic eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991, leaving prominent remarks like lahar-buried buildings and land, parts of Central Luzon are seismically active, and earthquakes or volcanic eruptions are all concerns. The latest major earthquake since the deadly 1990 quake is a magnitude 6.1 quake in April 2019, resulting to various degrees of damage in the region and some casualties from collapsed structures. Coastal areas, like places in Aurora and Zambales, are prone to tsunamis, including from distant sources, as in the cases of the 1960 Great Chilean earthquake and the 1962 Good Friday earthquake, where the tsunamis those quakes produced slammed the coasts of these provinces, causing some damage and deaths.

title: Central Luzon


text:
Central Malawi

Central Malawi lies on the southern part of the eastern shores of Lake Malawi and is home to the capital of Lilongwe. Its fairly flat terrain disguises the fact that it is part of the high plateau of central Africa.

Get in
Kamuzu International Airport

See

 * The Chongoni Rock Art Area near Dedza featuring prehistoric rock art. It's inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Go next

 * Zambia's South Luangwa National Park is most easily accessible from this region.

title: Central Malawi


text:
Central Maryland

This region of Maryland contains both its capital, Annapolis, and its most populous city, Baltimore.

Cities

 * (excluding Baltimore itself) — Mostly the densely populated suburbs of Baltimore.
 * - Downtown Sykesville has a restored African-American schoolhouse. The scenery is pristine. The B&O railroad museum has information on the history of the town and the railroad. The Patapsco river has beautiful scenery.
 * - features old homes, and McDaniel college and the Carroll County farm museum, which is dedicated to rural life in the 1800s.
 * (excluding Baltimore itself) — Mostly the densely populated suburbs of Baltimore.
 * - Downtown Sykesville has a restored African-American schoolhouse. The scenery is pristine. The B&O railroad museum has information on the history of the town and the railroad. The Patapsco river has beautiful scenery.
 * - features old homes, and McDaniel college and the Carroll County farm museum, which is dedicated to rural life in the 1800s.
 * - Downtown Sykesville has a restored African-American schoolhouse. The scenery is pristine. The B&O railroad museum has information on the history of the town and the railroad. The Patapsco river has beautiful scenery.
 * - features old homes, and McDaniel college and the Carroll County farm museum, which is dedicated to rural life in the 1800s.
 * - Downtown Sykesville has a restored African-American schoolhouse. The scenery is pristine. The B&O railroad museum has information on the history of the town and the railroad. The Patapsco river has beautiful scenery.
 * - features old homes, and McDaniel college and the Carroll County farm museum, which is dedicated to rural life in the 1800s.
 * - Downtown Sykesville has a restored African-American schoolhouse. The scenery is pristine. The B&O railroad museum has information on the history of the town and the railroad. The Patapsco river has beautiful scenery.
 * - features old homes, and McDaniel college and the Carroll County farm museum, which is dedicated to rural life in the 1800s.
 * - Downtown Sykesville has a restored African-American schoolhouse. The scenery is pristine. The B&O railroad museum has information on the history of the town and the railroad. The Patapsco river has beautiful scenery.
 * - features old homes, and McDaniel college and the Carroll County farm museum, which is dedicated to rural life in the 1800s.
 * - features old homes, and McDaniel college and the Carroll County farm museum, which is dedicated to rural life in the 1800s.

By plane
Baltimore-Washington International Airport is a major point of entry to the region, with the Southwest Airlines hub providing a lot of cheap flights from all over the country.

By car
The big highway running north-south is I-95, which runs up from D.C., past BWI, through Baltimore, and then up the coast through all the major East Coast cities.

Other important routes include I-70, which goes into Baltimore from Western Maryland; I-83, which runs north from Baltimore to York, Pennsylvania; I-97 between Baltimore and Annapolis; and US-50, connecting Annapolis to D.C.

By train
Amtrak is the major operator on the East Coast, and the Northeast Corridor, which runs between D.C. and New York, crosses the region, with notable stops (from south to north) at New Carrollton, BWI Airport, Baltimore, and Aberdeen.

The MARC trains provide a commuter rail service between D.C. and the Delaware border, passing through the same stations as Amtrak, but with a few more stops, and lower passenger fares.

See
Sights in Central Maryland are concentrated in Baltimore and Annapolis. The biggest attractions are likely the Inner Harbor and the National Aquarium, the Annapolis State Capitol building, the Naval Academy (also in Annapolis), and more generally the Chesapeake Bay. There are plenty of other interesting attractions off the beaten path, though, like the National Cryptologic Museum in Fort Meade.

Do

 * Medieval Times — located in the Arundel Mills Mall complex
 * Merriweather Post Pavilion — large outdoor concert venue located in Columbia
 * Historic Ellicott City — shopping, antiques and restaurants in downtown Ellicot City

Community Events and Festivals

 * Maryland Renaissance Festival
 * Wine in the Woods — Located in Columbia at Symphony Woods, this annual event features wineries from across the state, live entertainment, food vendors, arts & crafts and live demonstrations on wines and food.

State Parks

Buy

 * Arundel Mills Mall — outlet mall
 * Historic Savage Mill — antique shopping

Stay safe
The most problematic city in this area is definitely Baltimore, but there are small steps one can take to reduce the chance of trouble.

title: Central Maryland


text:
Central Massachusetts

Central Massachusetts, also referred to as Central Mass. is a region in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in the United States of America. It encompasses part of the Blackstone Valley National Corridor in the southern part of the region.

Central Massachusetts is a region of contrasts. Urban grit can be found in the declining industrial areas of the regions cities. At the same time, proximity to Boston and numerous colleges have given the parts of the area a cosmopolitan flavor, with art galleries, history museums, and ethnic food from all over the globe. The area east of Worcester is being swallowed up by the suburbs of Boston while the areas west of Worcester are heavily forested. Some of the poorest communities in Massachusetts are located here as are a few of the wealthiest.

Cities

 * The Boroughs consist of Westborough, Northborough and Southborough. This affluent suburban area has several expensive restaurants and golf courses as well as many lodging options.
 * — Mill city, home to a state university and a nice art museum.
 * — Former factory town and now affordable bedroom community for Greater Boston.
 * — This small town is a popular stop at the intersection of I-84 and the Massachusetts Turnpike and has a number of dining options and antique shops. Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum, is located here.
 * — The second largest city in Massachusetts is home to 8 colleges and universities, the Worcester Red Sox, museums, and a variety of cuisine from all over the world.
 * Gardner- Former furniture manufacturing powerhouse known as Chair City. Has a popular brewpub, a small state park with a beach, and a quaint history museum

Other destinations

 * The Brookfields - Large forested region dotted with apple orchards, small farms, and tiny hamlets.
 * a semi-rural area in the hills above Worcester filled with farms and a number of state parks.
 * very rural area with scattered villages surrounding the reservoir that provides Boston with most of its drinking water. This area is visited primarily for outdoor recreation, primarily hiking and cycling.

By car
Central Massachusetts is easily accessible by car. I-84 connects the region to Hartford, Connecticut and other points southwest. I-395 connects to both Norwich and New London, Connecticut. Route 146 connects Worcester and the Blackstone Valley to Providence, RI and other points in Rhode Island or Southeastern Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90/Mass Pike/the Pike) connects Worcester to both Springfield and Boston. This toll road has limited exits, other communities served directly by it are Sturbridge, Millbury, and Westborough. Route 2 is the primary method of access to the northern half of Central Massachusetts, connecting the major cities and towns to points east such as Boston and the northern half of both the Pioneer Valley and Berkshires to the west. Route 9 can also be used to access the region from east or west, east of Worcester it is busy route for both commuters and the shopping areas and office parks the line the highway while west of Worcester it is a winding country road. Traffic can be very congested along the Mass Pike any day of the week. During summer weekends the section west of Worcester to I-84 is particularly busy while morning rush hour traffic on weekdays tends to be worse east of Worcester as most people are traveling to or from Greater Boston. Route 2 is generally much less congested.

By train
There is an Amtrak station in Worcester, although service is infrequent, and there are MBTA Commuter Rail stations in Westborough, Grafton, Worcester, Leominster, and Fitchburg.

By plane
Worcester Regional Airport in Worcester is the only commercial airport in the region. JetBlue provides daily flights to JFK International Airport in New York as well as limited service to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. Most people arriving by air would use airports in Boston or Providence that have flights to many more cities.

Get around
You will need a car to get around outside Worcester, and even there a car is probably necessary since public transit is poor and attractions are spread out. North-south travel is facilitated by I-190/290/395 while east-west travel is facilitated either by I-90 in the southern Central Massachusetts and MA 2 in the north.

See
Central Massachusetts is a semi-mountainous region in the middle of the state. The two highest mountains outside of the Berkshires (Mt Wachusett & Mt Watatic) are located here. Foliage in the fall is quite pretty and there are plenty of rural landscapes in the sparsely populated western part of the region.

Another scenic attraction is the region's many historic town commons and villages. Westborough today is primarily a bedroom community and commercial center which is of little interest to most travellers. However, the historic village center remains. Further down MA 135 you will find Grafton and its pretty town common. Other towns with scenic commons include Harvard, Clinton, and Barre. The Industrial Revolution in the U.S. began in the Blackstone Valley south of Worcester. Much of the region's industrial heritage has been lost to fires, old age, and demolition. The town of Millville no longer has any mills, in use or otherwise. Still, Central Massachusetts is dotted with mill villages containing historic structures. Good examples can be found in Uxbridge and Northbridge.

Museums and galleries
Central Massachusetts isn't one of the Commonwealth's better known destinations for cultural activities, but it should be. The region is full of museums, theaters, and art galleries. Worcester, as the largest city in the region, is home to the greatest concentration. The Worcester Art Museum is the second largest art museum in New England after Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. Also to be found in Worcester are the Ecotarium, a science and nature museum, and the Worcester History Museum, which proudly showcases the city's history. Fitchburg is home to the sensibly named Fitchburg Art Museum.

Other museums in the region include:
 * Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge - Travel to the past and see a farming community from centuries ago. Great trip for grade school children to get a hands-on experience with America's history.
 * Museum of Russian Icons, Clinton, the largest collection of Russian icons in North America.
 * Willard House and Clock Museum North Grafton near Upton

Plant and animal attractions
In Central Massachusetts, you will find Hadwen Arboretum in Worcester, an incredible botanical garden, and a small zoo.
 * Tower Hill Botanical Gardens in Boylston - Beautiful gardens, from trails you can see the Wachusett Reservoir and Wachusett Mountain. Indoor and outdoor attractions, restaurant and gift shop.
 * Southwick's Zoo a 300-acre, privately owned and operated, zoological park located in Mendon. It was opened in 1963, and remains family operated to date.

Do
Central Massachusetts is full of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and skiing. Antiquing opportunities abound in Sturbridge Central Massachusetts is home to a wide variety of hiking opportunities. Mt Wachusett and Mt Watatic, the two tallest mountains in the state outside of the Berkshires are both located in Central Massachusetts. Visitors can also explore the terrain around the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs, including the ruins of a few of the communities that were flooded to create them. There are numerous opportunities to explore wooded uplands in the hills west of Worcester. The Blackstone Valley has picturesque canal-side walks, scenic overlooks, and even some unique wetlands such as the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp in Douglas State Forest, a rarity so far inland. For long distance hikers, the Midstate Trail runs 92 miles from the Rhode Island border to New Hampshire, passing over the peaks of both Mt. Wachusett and Mt Watatic.

No, it's not Vermont or Maine for Skiing, but Central Massachusetts is much closer to the major cities of New England. Wachusett Mountain is the busiest ski resort in Southern New England with 25 trails and lifts that bring you to the top of the highest mountain in the region. Ski Ward in Shrewsbury is a much smaller ski hill better suited for small children and tubing.

Central Massachusetts is a major agricultural region. There are orchards and farms to be found in every corner of the region. Apple orchards are particularly common, this is Johnny Appleseed Country after all.

The performing arts are quite strong in Central Massachusetts. The DCU Center in Worcester is the region's largest concert and event venue. Also in Worcester are the Hanover Theater, grand Mechanics Hall and Tuckerman Hall, and the Palladium, a large rock venue famous for metal shows.

Buy
Central Massachusetts is prime antiquing country. Sturbridge and surrounding communities are filled with antique dealers. Worcester is home to a decent collection of funky, off-the-beaten-path stores selling everything from vintage furniture to comic books as well as a Public Market. Central Massachusetts has several malls, the largest of which is the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley in Millbury which has a range of national big box stores, several restaurants, and an L.L. Bean. Malls in Central Massachusetts primarily serve residents and offer little of interest to travelers. Agriculture is till quite common outside of the cities and many farms and orchards operate their own country stores which sell local produce and other products.

Eat
Central Massachusetts isn't as seafood oriented as the coastal parts of the state. Nor is it as farm-to-table oriented as the Pioneer Valley and Berkshires. Historically this has been a blue collar area rooted in manufacturing and the industrial revolution (which began in the Blackstone Valley). Central Massachusetts is home to more diners than you can count, especially Worcester (home of the Worcester Lunch Car Company). Worcester contains every type of cuisine imaginable and both dirt cheap college oriented joints up to and including fine dining. Armsby Abbey is the city's flagship farm-to-table restaurant and frequently wins local awards. George's Coney Island, a hot dog spot located a few blocks away, is a local legend. Outside the city, quality food is in abundance, you just need to look for it. Sturbridge is home to the incredibly popular BT's Smokehouse and other restaurants. If you come to Central Massachusetts in the fall, be sure to pick up some cider donuts and apples from a local orchard.

Drink
There is much to drink in Central Massachusetts, from award winning beers and local wines to fresh apple cider and locally roasted coffee.

Bars are few and far between outside of Worcester, but there are still a few spots worth checking out, maybe to cool off after a hike.

Central Massachusetts is not as brewery dense as much of the rest of New England, but there are still some very good brews to be found here spaced more or less evenly about the region. Worcester is home to 3Cross and the award winning Wormtown Brewery.

Depending upon who you ask, Framingham can be considered to be in Central Massachusetts. There, you will find a John Harvard's, Framingham Beerworks, and Jack's Abbey.

Worcester, while not exactly a traditional college town, is home to 33,000 students so there are plenty of bars.

Central Massachusetts will never be confused with Napa Valley, but there are still some vineyards worth exploring.

Liquor stores, generally not thought of as a tourist attraction, but there are a few in the region that are worth a visit if nearby for unique finds. Yankee Spirits in Sturbridge is the largest liquor store in New England and has beer that's hard to find anywhere else.

For coffee Central Massachusetts is packed with Dunkin Donuts and Honey Dew Donuts, but there are also some local roasters and coffee shops worth checking out.

Go next
Boston, Cape Cod, Providence, and the Pioneer Valley are all nearby.

title: Central Massachusetts


text:
Central Mexico

Central Mexico is the country's historic core. It is an area rich in Pre-Colombian tradition with pyramids and ruins of great cities like Teotihuacan and Tenochtitlan. It is an area rich in artistic works, from the great collections of Mexico City's myriad museums, to the murals of Mexico's 20th century modern art movement that adorn public buildings. It is an area of natural wonders with several of Mexico's highest mountains and a band of volcanoes stretching across the entire region.

States

 * Mexico State — the state that surrounds the Federal District and Mexico City on three sides is the most populous in the country
 * Veracruz — although the beaches are mostly overlooked by tourists, this state is a favorite of many Mexican travelers
 * Tlaxcala — the smallest state in the country offers lesser-known archeological sites and colonial towns
 * Puebla — full of historic buildings, pottery workshops, and churches
 * Morelos — visit the Xochicalco archaeological site, and the 16th-century monasteries on the slopes of Popocatepetl
 * Hidalgo — a great place to explore archaeological sites, practice extreme sports, and enjoy nature

Cities

 * — a comfortable year-round climate, beautiful parks and gardens, and many Spanish-language schools for foreigners
 * — one of the three largest cities in the world, and a sophisticated urban hub with a 700-year history
 * — a UNESCO World Heritage surrounded by volcanoes and snow-capped mountains
 * — compact and lively, the state capital is filled with colonial-era building painted in beautiful colors
 * — known for its botanical gardens and many museums
 * — a rowdy city in the south famous for its nightlife, with a strong Cuban influence

Other destinations

 * — this includes the ruins of one of the largest and most important cities of the Classic era of Mesoamerica.
 * — large national park encompassing parts of Mexico state, Puebla, and Morelos. Twin volcanoes, hiking trails, an old hacienda, and historic monasteries (UNESCO World Heritage sites).
 * — Home to a dormant volcano that is Mexico's highest peak.
 * - largest pre-Colombian city in the Americas, dating from first century CE, site is dominated by two large pyramids: the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon..

Itineraries

 * Ruta de los Conventos del Popocatépetl is a bicycle itinerary that visits the historic 16th century monasteries on the slopes of the Popocatépetl volcano. These monasteries collectively constitute a.

Seismology
Central Mexico is seismically very active. Its an area that geologists refer to as the trans-Mexican volcanic belt (eje volcánico transversal). Earthquakes are always a possibility in all the states and cities of the region. The mountains of the Sierra Madre run through this area and many of those mountains are volcanos. Some are active, some dormant or inactive. Many of the national parks in Central Mexico surround one or more volcanos. The volcanos are popular tourist attractions with magnificent scenery, not to mention offering recreational opportunities to active outdoor enthusiasts who come to the region for mountaineering, canyoning, rappeling, mountain biking, and hiking.

By plane
Central Mexico has more flights to more destinations than any other region of Mexico. Airports with scheduled commercial flights include:

 * Mexico City International  - Mexico's busiest international airport with flights throughout the world; hub airport for Mexico's 3 largest airlines (as of 2022, many hub operations are moving to NLU airport) (officially named Benito Juarez International Airport)
 * Santa Lucia Airport  - international airport 40km north of Mexico City, evolving hub for Mexican domestic routes, international flights from Venezuela and Cuba, new in 2022 (officially named Aeropuerto Felipe Angeles)
 * Toluca International Airport  - underutilized airport west of Mexico City, mostly domestic flights
 * Puebla International Airport  - some flights from U.S., mostly domestic flights
 * Veracruz International Airport  - some flights from U.S., mostly domestic flights

By bus
Mexico City is the country's trasportation hub and buses from every corner of the country arrive at one of the city's four main bus terminals. Even from the furthest corners of the realm, a bus is leaving for Mexico City in a little while. It might be a long ride, and it might stop in a lot of cities along the way, but the bus goes there. You can get off the bus in a lot of places in Central Mexico without having to go all the way into the city.

Get around
Central Mexico is best explored by bus, but a car might be useful. This is also a region where the Blablahcar rideshare service works well.

By bus
Central Mexico is extremely well connected by bus routes and buses can be used to travel to virtually all tourist destinations in Central Mexico.

If you can't find a direct bus between two destinations, you can probably find a connecting route through Mexico City. Mexico City has 4 major bus terminals plus buses departing directly from a terminal inside the MEX airport. Buses from the airport go to many of the major cities of the region, so a trip to the big bus terminals may not even be necessary. Major bus terminals elsewhere in Central Mexico are in Cuernavaca, Puebla, Toluca, Veracruz, and Coatzalcocos. Most small cities throughout the region have bus terminals with both first-class and second-class service.

See

 * Teotihuacan - the largest and grandest of the Pre-Colombian city-states
 * Spanish missions - many dating from the 16th century, the missions are often stunningly beautiful
 * Museums - Mexico City boasts well over 100 museums for visitors to explore
 * Pueblos Mágicos - dozens of charming small towns capture history and cultural tradition, tailor-made for romantic weekend getaways

Do

 * climb mountains - Pico de Orizaba is Mexico's highest peak and is a challenging peak for experienced climbers, Izta-Popo is a bit easier, and Nevada de Toluca is an easier mountain for the less experienced
 * ride bikes - through the parks and mountainous areas of Puebla, Morelos, and the State of Mexico. Explore the Route of the 16th century monasteries of Popocateptl
 * rejuvenate - mineral baths and spas in Cuernavaca offer a relaxing escape from the bustle of city life

Eat
Central Mexico is paradise for the knowledgable gourmand. Mexican cuisine is famous throughout the world. Many of the most iconic Mexican dishes come from the regional cuisines of Central Mexico.

Central Mexican food is far from homogeneous. Although we can taste dishes in different states or cities that taste somewhat similar to those of another area, there are often signature ingredients or techniques that clearly identify a dish as belonging to one (often quite narrow) region. Within Central Mexico, the two most common regional cuisines are from Puebla and from Veracruz. You will see these identified as poblano and veracruzano, respectively. When you see a dish on the menu like huachinango veracruzano or mole poblano, you should expect a dish that's cooked the way it would be in Veracruz or Puebla.

Chiles are an integral part of Mexican cuisine and two famous types of chile originate in Central Mexico: the jalapeno originates from Xalapa and the poblano pepper originates from Puebla.

Some of the most well-known regional dishes from Central Mexico include:

 * huachinango veracruzano - grilled red snapper topped with a salsa of diced ripe tomatoes, capers, and olives (snapper is expensive these days and other types of fish are often prepared in a similar manner)
 * mole poblano - a blend of spices, chiles, cocoa and other ingredients, ground together and made into a paste, then prepared as a sauce for chicken or other poultry
 * mole de Xitla - prepared like mole poblano, but sweeter, with a different spice mix
 * chiles en nogada - poblano peoppers stuffed with picadillo (ground meat filling) with walnuts
 * barbacoa - is well-known throughout Mexico, but its taken to heart in Hidalgo where ancient methods are sometimes used (pit roasting) or different meats are used (lamb, venison, rabbit) or different seasonings are used (perhaps a pulque marinade), depending on the chef

No description of eating in Central Mexico would be complete without talking tacos. Mexico City is the king of tacos with taquerias on virtually every block and street food vendors in between to ensure you're never far from a hefty helping of grease and gladness wrapped in a fresh corn tortilla. If you're really epicurious about tacos, you might want to watch the Netflix series, Taco Chronicles, otherwise, ask a local or check out some of the destination guides here for recommendations in cities and towns around the region. Most travelers should start off with basic tacos that are unlikely to offend foreign palates: tacos al pastor are usually a winner and seldom too spicy. Barbacoa is a good, safe choice, particularly for breakfast. Carnitas might be good too. As you get more adventurous try the suadero, a specialty of Mexico City. Most foreigners should avoid things like tripa, chapulines, or cabeza de vaca al vapor. These things are all served somewhere in Mexico City, but you probably don't want to know where.

Drink
Pulque is a uniquely Mexican fermented beverage that is commonly associated with Central Mexico. Pulque is the fermented juice of agave (maguey). If you were to distill the pulque, you'd have mezcal. If the pulque were made from blue agave and you distilled it, you'd have tequila. Well, more or less...

Pulque was popular in Mexico long before the Spanish conquest. It's an ancient drink that's fundamentally simple and pure, just like wine is. Unlike wine though, pulque has often been viewed with disdain. That view is changing as today's younger Mexicans see pulque as a complex drink that's a legitimate part of their gastronomic heritage.

Pulque can be produced anywhere without restriction, but most producers (and most customers) are in Central Mexico, especially in Mexico City and the nearby states of Hidalgo and Tlaxcala. A bar that specializes in serving pulque is called a pulqueria and you can find dozens of them in Mexico City (including tourist friendly areas like Centro) and Coyoacán).

Pulque is usually sold in its natural state, though many producers make pulques that are flavored with fruits or natural spices. A natural pulque has a milky white color, the aroma is yeasty with a smell similar to rising bread dough, the flavor is typically sour. Flavored pulques are becoming more common than natural pulque and they appeal to younger drinkers in particular because they lose some of their sharp acidic sourness and the fruit or spice aromas reduce the bready/yeasty smell that offends some novice pulque drinkers. Some of the flavors you'll find in Central Mexico include cucumber, tomato, jitomate, apple, and banana. The possibilities are endless though, limited only by the imagination of the producer.

Go next

 * Acapulco
 * The Bajio
 * Guadalajara

title: Central Mexico


text:
Central Michigan

Central Michigan is a region of the state that had a population of 1,879,076 (2010 Census). Most area residents live in and around the hub cities of Flint, Lansing, Saginaw, Midland, and Bay City.

Regions

 * South Central Michigan — includes the counties of Clare, Clinton, Gratiot, Eaton, Ingham, and Isabella
 * Flint Area — the counties of Genesee, Lapeer, and Shiawassee
 * Tri-Counties/Cities — Bay, Saginaw, and Midland counties
 * The Thumb — Huron, Tuscola, Sanilac, and St. Clair counties

South Central Michigan

 * -- State capital
 * Mason - County seat of Ingham County
 * Leslie - place that the Cream of Wheat guy died
 * Williamston - nearby to Rose Lake State Park and Dansville State Game area
 * Mason - County seat of Ingham County
 * Leslie - place that the Cream of Wheat guy died
 * Williamston - nearby to Rose Lake State Park and Dansville State Game area
 * Mason - County seat of Ingham County
 * Leslie - place that the Cream of Wheat guy died
 * Williamston - nearby to Rose Lake State Park and Dansville State Game area
 * Leslie - place that the Cream of Wheat guy died
 * Williamston - nearby to Rose Lake State Park and Dansville State Game area

Tri-Cities Area

 * - Home to the largest Christmas store in America; located in Saginaw County
 * - Home to the largest Christmas store in America; located in Saginaw County
 * - Home to the largest Christmas store in America; located in Saginaw County
 * - Home to the largest Christmas store in America; located in Saginaw County

The Thumb

 * - Home of the Cheeseburger in Paradise festival
 * - Largest city in Huron County
 * - Home to the self-proclaimed "Greatest Man-Made Harbor in the World"
 * - Home to the Leroy Burger, the biggest burger on the Thumb
 * Port Austin - Small town home to some local charter fishers
 * - County seat and largest city in Sanilac County
 * Caro - Largest city in the Thumb (Huron-Tuscola-Sanilac) excluding Port Huron (included in Metro Detroit)

Other destinations

 * , a village incorporated in 1998, is approximately 13 miles west of Mt. Pleasant in western Isabella County.

Understand
Central Michigan is not a cosmopolitan area. The largest city is Lansing, only containing 400,000 people (if you count the suburbs and rural area around it). Most of the land is pleasant, flat farmland, with modest groves of trees and the occasional small town.

Get in
The main roads leading into Central Michigan are I-69, I-75, I-94, and I-96.

By car
The Thumb

Most of the main roads in the Thumb are State Roads:
 * Huron County: M-19, M-142 (Sand Beach Road)
 * Tuscola County: M-15, M-24, M-138
 * Sanilac County: M-90
 * Huron-Tuscola: M-53
 * Tuscola-Sanilac: M-46, M-81
 * Huron-Tuscola-Sanilac: M-25

See

 * Harbor Beach has what is considered to be the "Greatest Man-Made Harbor in the World".
 * Lansing is the capital city of the state, and the largest city in the area, full of amazing architecture; and east of the city is Michigan State University.
 * Port Huron is one of the busiest border crossings from Michigan to Canada (behind Detroit and Windsor); the bridge connecting Port Huron to Point Edward/Sarnia is the Blue Water Bridge.
 * Flint is one of the largest cities in Michigan; though it is a crumbling city of 99,000 residents, there is still a vibrant downtown and is still a small hub for transportation, as with many other cities in the area.

Do

 * The inner Thumb is mostly fertile farmland, but the Lake Huron coastline provides many beach opportunities. Go swimming, jet-skiing or catch a tan on the shores of Lake Huron.

title: Central Michigan


text:
Central Missouri

Central Region is in central Missouri and home of the state capital Jefferson City.

North
These cities and towns are on or near the I-70 or US50 corridor from St. Louis to Kansas City:
 * — state capital of Missouri
 * — starting point of the Santa Fe Trail
 * — the starting point of the Katy Trail
 * — home of the University of Missouri - Columbia
 * — site of Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech
 * — birthplace of composer Scott Joplin, the "King of Ragtime."
 * — known for the annual street fair in September. It also hosts a Maifest in May, an Oktoberfest in October, and a Christbaumfest in late November; all highlight the town's German heritage.
 * — close to the Truman State Park.
 * — known for the annual street fair in September. It also hosts a Maifest in May, an Oktoberfest in October, and a Christbaumfest in late November; all highlight the town's German heritage.
 * — close to the Truman State Park.

South
These cities and towns appear primarily along the former US Route 66 from St. Louis to Springfield:
 * , home of the University of Missouri - Rolla
 * , home of the University of Missouri - Rolla
 * , home of the University of Missouri - Rolla
 * , home of the University of Missouri - Rolla
 * , home of the University of Missouri - Rolla
 * , home of the University of Missouri - Rolla

Other destinations
Lake of the Ozarks

Get in
Columbia Regional Airport

Itineraries
The Santa Fe Trail originates in this region.

title: Central Missouri


text:
Central Mongolia

Central Mongolia is a region in Mongolia that contains the capital of modern Mongolia, the ruins of capital of the Mongol Empire, and the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape.

Cities

 * — the nation's capital and center of everything.
 * — the capital of Övörhangai province
 * — a mining town surrounded by amazing open valleys and forest areas
 * — near the modern city of Harhorin are the ruins of capital city of the Mongol Empire, built by Genghis Khan's son, Ogedei.
 * — the capital of Arkhangai province.
 * — the capital of Tuv province

Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape
The Orkhon Valley, west of Ulaanbaatar, along the Orkhon River in the Övörkhangai and Arkhangai Provinces, was the center of the Mongol Empire, the center of the Uighur Empire, and the birthplace of Mongolian Buddhism. Today, the cultural heritage of the valley constitutes a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 * — a beautiful nature preservetgat is home to the Takhi (Przewalski's) Horse
 * — the most unique desert dunes and green grassland combined zone in central west Mongolia

Other destinations

 * — or Khujirt, is a hot spring 50 km south of Karakorum, with a hotel and sanatorium. Bus service from Ulaanbaatar or Avraiheer.
 * — a popular weekend getaway just east of Ulaanbaatar.
 * — high mountains, steppes, rivers, lakes and wetlands are well-kept in its original condition
 * — Great White Lake
 * — This is where Gengis Khan is believed to have been born and died, and the most sacred mountain in Mongolia. Located northeast of the capital near the border to Russia, the area has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Get in
Central Mongolia and specifically Ulaanbaatar (UB) is the first place that most visitors see upon entering Mongolia, so see 'Get into' Mongolia section to see all you need to know about flying or taking the train to Ulaanbaatar. If you entered through another part of Mongolia or plan to get off the train before reaching UB, getting here is very simple. All domestic travel (by plane, train, bus, van, etc) is usually headed to or from UB. In fact it can be more difficult to find transport 100 km to a neighboring provincial capital than 1,500 km to UB.

Get around
There are no domestic flights from Ulaanbaatar to anywhere within the central region, even though some places can take several hours to reach by bus or car. Luckily, most of the larger towns and cities in this region are connected by paved roads and have daily or even hourly bus service from either the Dragon Center Bus Station (serving western and northern parts of Mongolia) or the Bayanzurkh Bus Station (serving eastern and some southern parts of Mongolia). The stations are both located on Peace Avenue on either side of the city. Look on the specific city's page for exact travel times and bus stations. Many smaller towns in the central region are also served by the Trans-Mongolian Railway.

See
Near Karakorum (Harhorin), you will find Khar Bulgas, the ruins of the capital of the Uighur Khaganate (744-840 CE), called Ordu-Baliq in the Uighur language.

There are monasteries two near Karakorum. Erdene Zuu Monastery was the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, built on the ruins of Karakorum. It is 2 km north-east from the center of Harhorin town. Tuvkhun Monastery has two original temples and two stupas from the 17th century that still stand, along with additional temples built in the 18th century, at this monastery that was refounded in 1992.

Itineraries

 * Blue lake trekking route 8 days, 7 nights. Trek to the beautiful Khukh Nuur (Blue Lake) in Arkhangai Province, located at the top of the Arkhangai Mountains. This is a challenging route and you will be trekking up to 20 km a day yet amazingly picturesque, as Arkhangai is known to Mongolians as the “Horse Breeders Paradise” for its beauty.

title: Central Mongolia


text:
Central Montenegro

Central Montenegro is a region in Montenegro. It is centered around the capital Podgorica.

Cities

 * – The capital and biggest city in Montenegro, experiencing a huge architectural boom in the last couple of years.
 * – The old royal capital of Montenegro, with a large number of museums, monasteries and former embassies.
 * – Near the famous Ostrog monastery.
 * – The second largest city in Montenegro and economically important.
 * – A small historical town on the ancient trading route through the country.
 * – A small town in the Podgorica municipality which is a major trading center, due to its location, between the Montenegrin capital and Albania.
 * – The main entry point to the Skadar lake, belongs to the municipality of Bar.

Other destinations

 * – A beautiful mountain with natural, cultural and historical scenery, and the spectacular Mausoleum of Njegoš.
 * – The largest lake on the Balkans and the natural habitat of the very diverse flora and fauna.

By plane

 * Podgorica Airport – The only international airport in this region, all others are at the coast.

By buses
Buses are frequent and most connect to Podgorica or Nikšić, but also available between smaller towns.

By thumb
Hitchhiking is possible and not hard.

See

 * Mausoleum of Njegoš – The mausoleum on top of Mt. Lovćen with amazing views into all neighbouring countries, if the sky is clear.
 * Ostrog Monastery – An amazing Serbian Orthodox monastery situated on the almost vertical cliff of Mount Ostrog.

title: Central Montenegro


text:
Central Mountains (Taiwan)

The Central Mountains is a mountain range that runs from the south of the island to near Taipei in the north.

Understand
The Central Mountain Range is one of the five major mountain ranges in Taiwan, starting from Wuyanjiao between Nanfangao and Dongao, Suao Town, Yilan County in the north, and reaching Eluanbi at the southernmost island of Taiwan in the south. It runs north-north-east to south-south west across the island. As the longest mountain range on the island, it divides the entire island of Taiwan into two asymmetrical halves with a large west and a small east. The eastern part has a steeper terrain, while the western part is wider and gentler. At the same time, the Central Mountain Range has also become the main watershed of the various water systems of the island.

title: Central Mountains (Taiwan)


text:
Central Mozambique

Central Mozambique is a region in Mozambique comprising the provinces of Manica, Sofala, Tete and Zambezia province.

Cities

 * - in Sofala Province, it's the second largest city in the country, and a likely overnight stop if you're overlanding between Northern and Southern Mozambique
 * - capital of Manica Province and close to the Zimbabwe border, next to Chimanimani National Park and the tallest peak in Mozambique-Mount Binga- and not too far from Gorongoza National Park in Sofala Province. It's an important transport hub connecting central Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi to Beira and Southern Mozambique
 * - the largest town in Zambezia province, and another likely transport stop, but this time with a little more character
 * - one of the possible first/last stops en route to/from Malawi or Zimbabwe
 * - about 40 km from the Dedza, Malawi border a few hours north of Tete
 * - Remote and inaccessible coastal town on the southern bank of the Chinde river (part of the Zambezi river).
 * - Small city most notable for being the location of the lowest vehicle crossing on the Zambezi river. The impressive new bridge was opened in 2009.
 * - Home of Sena Sugar Estates and one of the lowest towns accessible by road on the Zambezi river.
 * / Vila de Sena Location of the longest railway bridge in Africa.

Other destinations

 * — a dam and hydroelectric power station on the Zambezi River.
 * — an island at the mouth of the Limpopo River.
 * — Beautiful hiking grounds and home to Mount Binga, tallest peak in Mozambique. Near Chimoio, capital of Manica Province.
 * — Beautiful hiking grounds and home to Mount Binga, tallest peak in Mozambique. Near Chimoio, capital of Manica Province.

Get in
Both Beira and Tete has international airports with daily flights from several hubs in Southern Africa, including Johannesburg as well as domestic flights. Quelimane has a domestic airport.

title: Central Mozambique


text:
Central Myanmar

Central Mynamar is a region of Myanmar.

Cities

 * – The administrative capital of Myanmar that replaced Yangon in November 2005.

 * (Taungmyo) – Just near Mandalay, home to the famous and picturesque U Bein's Bridge.
 * (Pagan) – One of the most famous attractions in Myanmar and probably Southeast Asia. An archaeological zone with thousands of ancient pagodas near the banks of the Irrawaddy River.
 * – The common transport hub for Mount Popa and nearby town 1 Kyauk Padaung.
 * (Magwe) – A transport hub for Mrauk U and Pyay.
 * – Famous for the U Bein Bridge, the Buddha face washing, as well as the nearby mountains by train.
 * (Maymyo) – A hill station established by the British, with the famous Gokteik Viaduct nearby.
 * – Thazi is a useful transport hub.

Other destinations

 * – This attraction is a temple on a cliff and a mountain and crater, which can be climbed for an even better view. From Mount Popa or Kyauk Padaung respectively, onward travel to Mandalay (via Meiktila), Pyay (via Magway) or Mrauk U (via Magway) is possible.

By plane

 * Mandalay International Airport
 * Naypyidaw International Airport

title: Central Myanmar


text:
Central Nevada

Central Nevada in Nevada is the region surrounding the Loneliest Road in America, including small settlements, mountain ranges and large plateaus in between. Those who live here welcome the few tourists they get, so don't feel afraid to explore this otherwise largely uninhabited part of the state.

Cities

 * - small former mining town
 * - small community that is a good jumping-off point for climbing Wheeler Peak
 * - large town with several restaurants and other facilities
 * - small mining town
 * - large town with several hotels; is closer to the Carson City area than Central Nevada

Other destinations

 * is in one of Nevada's largest mountain ranges; the centerpiece of this park is Wheeler Peak, one of the highest mountains in the contiguous United States. The park is also known for its bristlecone pine forests, caves, and juniper forests.
 * is near the town of Austin. It encompasses much of the mountainous part of Central Nevada, and the hills and mountains here are covered with the juniper trees, which can survive in the alpine regions. The area can get extremely cold in winter; therefore it often snows in these mountains.
 * You can come here and listen to the singing sand or else take a walk up this immense Great Basin dune. Watch out for ATVs tracking hither and yon. On the access road to the mountain there is also a side road to the Sand Springs Pony Express Station Historical Marker with some ruins. Directions: on north side of Hwy 50 about southeast from Fallon. Tel: 775-885-6000.
 * Art or a monstrosity? A large cottonwood tree encumbered with seemingly thousands of shoes of passersby.
 * Walk among the ruins of an old pony express station.
 * Short trail enables you to view petroglyphs of prehistoric people.

Understand
Nevada is known for its deserts, but Central Nevada isn't limited to this ecosystem. Instead the region includes alternating mountains and valleys known as "basin and range" topography. The western portion of Central Nevada, exiting the Carson City area, is the driest, and this is the region where many salt flats are found, similar to those encountered in Death Valley. Going east the terrain becomes less like desert, and instead forested at the higher elevations. The far eastern part of Central Nevada includes the highest peak in Central Nevada, Wheeler Peak, and more rocky outcrops; east of Wheeler Peak, the terrain continues to be varied all the way to the Rocky Mountains. Mountain ranges in Central Nevada mostly run north to south and are similar in appearance to the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada. Between these mountains are dry valleys where farming is a rare sight, and even ranching is quite rare. The valleys are mostly dominated by sagebrush and in some wetter locations oak trees, while lower mountains are covered in juniper trees.

Central Nevada is known for being part of the "Great Basin" because all of the valleys in this area are basins; water that flows into them either evaporates or collects in lakes rather than draining to an ocean. However, there are not many rivers in Central Nevada, so any lakes in the area are either dry, seasonal, or murky.

Most of the towns in the area are small and are not experiencing the growth that is noticed in other parts of Nevada, and in fact the population of the few towns in Central Nevada fell in the 2010s. Most roads in the region are very quiet; the U.S. Route 50, for example, is known as the "loneliest road in America" because it receives little traffic.

Get in
The Central Nevada region is best accessed from the west, where interstates I-80 and I-580 exist. I-50 enters Central Nevada from the east and west.

Get around
The main road through Central Nevada is U.S. Route 50, which is known as the "Loneliest Road in America". It was built in the early 20th century along the route of the Pony Express. The road is this way because Central Nevada is almost uninhabited, there is only one national park, and much of the traffic between Reno and Salt Lake City takes the Interstate 80, built in 1982. Today the Loneliest Road connects the few small towns in Central Nevada, and it is the route most travelers take across the region (there are few others). Access to Baker and most of Great Basin National Park requires leaving the Loneliest Road.

You can get complete understanding of Central Nevada by, as the locals say, "surviving" the Loneliest Road. The road leads through dry valleys, high mountain passes, and goes straight through most of the towns along the route.

Go next

 * Western Utah - this region of Utah includes similar terrain to Central Nevada, but includes more farming and ranching in valley areas.
 * Canyon Country - this region of Utah is known for its dramatic rock formations.

title: Central Nevada


text:
Central Newfoundland

Central Newfoundland is part of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Communities

 * — primarily a mining town, it offers visitors iceberg watching, historical mining sites and hiking trails
 * — the largest city in and the main service centre of the region
 * — a deep-water port and shipping centre on Notre Dame Bay
 * — a town created in the 19th century when people were resettled from nearby islands
 * — a small city with a large airport that became famous for taking in 6,600 stranded trans-Atlantic flight passengers when planes were forced to land on Sep 11, 2001
 * — known for its Smallwood Days celebration and its Loggers' Sports Festival
 * — a small, seaside town that is a stepping-off point for Terra Nova National Park
 * — a mining town
 * — the "Iceberg Capital of the World" known for its scenery and the icebergs that are seen offshore in the spring months

Other destinations

 * — about 100 islands strung out described by Captain Wadham as “a parcel of dammed rugged isles”.
 * — once home to 500 people, almost all of the remaining 55 residents were relocated in 2019, leaving the town vacant

Understand
The economy of the centre of Newfoundland is based on forestry, and pulp and paper, so the terrain is, of course, heavily forested. The coast along the north of the region, however, is rugged and spectacular. Historic fishing villages are perched along the craggy coastline and spread through scattered islands connected by causeway or by ferry.

People settled on the coast, like most of Newfoundland, to fish for cod. Cod sustained people for centuries. In 1992, the government imposed a moratorium on fishing for cod, and the cod fishery was closed. The upheaval throughout rural Newfoundland was devastating with hundreds of small rural communities – outports – losing their livelihoods almost overnight. Fogo Island and Change Islands have fared better than many other remote fishing communities. Many of the fishermen of Fogo Island have adapted their fishery to other species such as crab and shrimp. Tourism also provides some support to the coastal communities.

Newfoundlanders are well-known for their folk music, and of the most famous Newfoundland songs is I'se the B'y ("I am the guy"). The lyrics list some of communities of the islands:

 * I took Liza to a dance / As fast as she could travel
 * And every step that she did take / Was up to her knees in gravel.
 * Hip yer partner, Sally Tibbo / Hip yer partner, Sally Brown
 * Fogo, Twillingate, Moreton's Harbour / All around the circle!

Get in

 * By car, Grand Falls-Windsor is about 430 km (4 hr 45 min) west of St. John's, 210 km (2 hr 15 min) east of Deer Lake, and 475 km (5 hr) east of Port Aux Basques, when travelling on the Trans-Canada Highway.
 * By car, Grand Falls-Windsor is about 430 km (4 hr 45 min) west of St. John's, 210 km (2 hr 15 min) east of Deer Lake, and 475 km (5 hr) east of Port Aux Basques, when travelling on the Trans-Canada Highway.

Get around
The Trans-Canada Highway (#1) is the east-west route through the region, while provincial highways 330 and 340 will take you north to the coast.

See and do

 * Long Point Lighthouse, a few minutes from Twillingate, has a beautiful area for looking out over the ocean to view whales and icebergs.
 * Fogo Island and Change Islands offer stunning natural wildlife and scenery such as humpback whales, caribou herds, soaring seabirds, and towering icebergs.
 * Walking trails from Fogo lead to resettled villages of Lion's Den, Shoal Tickle, Eastern Tickle and Locke's Cove. Also, there are trails to scenic Brimstone Head, Fogo Head and Waterman's Brook.
 * Take a boat tour from Twillingate to see the icebergs. Early July is usually the best time.
 * Take a boat tour from Twillingate to see the icebergs. Early July is usually the best time.

Eat
In the coastal fishing communities, fresh seafood, of course.

Stay safe
When driving, keep your eyes peeled for moose on the highways. Especially in the spring rutting season, moose will dart from the forest onto the highways. Car-moose crashes are frequent and are a serious cause of fatalities (human and moose). An encounter between a car and a 500-kg, 2-m-tall moose at high speed is something to be avoided.

Go next

 * Gros Morne National Park, about 200 km to the west.

title: Central Newfoundland


text:
Central New Mexico

Central New Mexico is the region of the state containing Albuquerque and vicinity. Unusually for a United States city of significant size, Albuquerque has almost no true "suburbs" that have grown along with and after, rather than independent of, the city; about the only one of consequence is Rio Rancho. Several Native American pueblos also call this region home, some of them of interest to the traveler. Attractions in Albuquerque are covered in that city's guide; this page deals with attractions of the extended region. Santa Fe, the state capital, is generally considered part of the North Central New Mexico region.

Cities

 * - The largest city in the state and its only major air hub, Albuquerque has plenty to offer the visitor: a historic Old Town where the city was founded over 300 years ago, a collection of excellent museums, the state's largest university, the pleasant scenery of the Rio Grande, the spectacular western face of the Sandia Mountains with its popular aerial tramway, and an annual balloon festival every October that never fails to amaze. Most traveler amenities in the area are to be found here, including a diverse range of restaurants as well as the only nightlife scene of note in this predominately rural region.
 * - The freight rail hub of the state, Belen is a small city about south of Albuquerque with a couple of minor historical attractions as well as a few nice restaurants.
 * - A small town at the northern end of the Albuquerque metro area, home to the ruins of a pueblo at Coronado State Monument.
 * - A scattered settlement situated along I-40 on the eastern side of the Sandia Mountains, this town serves as a primary gateway for those driving into the mountains to hike, picnic, ski, or simply admire the view from Sandia Crest.
 * - A village near Albuquerque east of Rio Rancho and north of Albuquerque.
 * - A small town along I-40 further east of the Sandia Mountains.
 * - A cozy little town about south of Albuquerque. There aren't really any tourist attractions here, but visitors passing through will find a couple of excellent restaurants.
 * - A town about east of Albuquerque on I-40, where the mountains give way to the rolling plains of eastern New Mexico.
 * - A tiny settlement in the southeastern portion of the region, Mountainair sits on the eastern side of the smaller Manzano Mountains range and is primarily known as the home of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, a set of three sites in the vicinity of the town which preserve the striking ruins of Spanish mission-era churches alongside the remnants of abandoned Native American pueblos.

Other destinations

 * Central New Mexico is home to several Native American pueblos, most of which welcome visitors. Cochiti, Santo Domingo, and San Felipe Pueblos between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, as well as Isleta Pueblo south of Albuquerque, all have small, historic settlements which you can visit and where you can buy wares from local artists, with Santo Domingo and Cochiti being particularly noted for quality Native American arts and crafts that collectors of folk art will find rewarding. Note that photography, sketching, etc., will generally be restricted, with some pueblos going so far as to prohibit visitors from using cell phones; when in doubt, just don't pull out the camera.
 * Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, near Cochiti Pueblo south of Santa Fe, is an under-appreciated little gem that was one of several national monuments created in the waning days of the Clinton administration and doesn't appear on even some recent maps. Trails (hiking boots recommended despite their brevity) take the visitor on a loop past some of the eponymous rock formations, and on a  (each way, some rough spots) trip to an overlook that includes a short but spectacular section of slot canyon. From I-25, follow NM SR 16 or SR 22 to Cochiti Pueblo, then follow signs to the monument. Day use only, with no camping; fee $5/vehicle.
 * Expansive views of this region are available from the top of the Sandia Mountains, which are officially administered by the Cibola National Forest and the Sandia Mountain Wilderness. The ambitious traveler may choose to hike to the top on any number of trails from Albuquerque, but the less ambitious can either drive up on state roads 165 or 536 (from Bernalillo and Cedar Crest, respectively—both are winding and may intimidate the inexperienced) up to the Sandia Crest, where there's a marvelous overlook. Alternatively, you can ride the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, one of the world's longest and highest, up from Albuquerque. The Tramway is well worth doing, but the acrophobic may find it uncomfortable. However you get there, try to be atop the Sandias after sundown at least once on your visit; the view of Albuquerque at night is marvelous.

Understand
A New Mexican who hears "central New Mexico" automatically thinks "Albuquerque," but there is more to the region than just its largest city. Broadly, central New Mexico is bounded on the:
 * North, by Santa Fe and environs, although Santa Fe itself is usually considered part of the North Central region. Cochiti Lake and Cochiti Pueblo seem like a useful dividing line;
 * East, by the Sandia and Manzano Mountains and their foothills, although a few towns east of the range (Moriarty, Mountainair, perhaps Estancia) are usually considered part of this region;
 * South (and rather indistinctly), by the area around Socorro and US highway 60;
 * West (again amorphously), by the sparsely inhabited plains west of Albuquerque, out to about Laguna Pueblo.

Talk
English, but if you happen to be a speaker of Tewa or Keresan, you'll have opportunities to practice at the American Indian pueblos of the region. (Of course, if you're a speaker of those languages, chances are you're a member of one of the pueblos already!) There are many native speakers of Spanish, although the fraction is lower than in some other parts of the state. With several universities in the region with international faculties and student bodies, speakers of other major languages can be found to help the traveler who is not fluent in English or Spanish.

As in the north central region, it's recommended that, if you see a place name apparently of Spanish origin, you try to pronounce it as Spanish. "Anglicized" pronunciation of Spanish words (and, particularly, surnames) may be normal in some parts of the United States, but it's not here. It runs a real risk of antagonizing the person you're talking to, who may speak Spanish at home as his/her ancestors have for 400 years, and may consider failure to make an attempt at Spanish pronunciation discourteous. Pronunciation tips in the Spanish phrasebook are useful here; the most common things to watch for are words with "ñ" (e.g. the popular Garduño's restaurant chain), double "l" (e.g. the very common Gallegos surname), and double "r" (e.g. Rio Arriba County, which incidentally is a particularly good place in which to have your Spanish pronunciations in shape).

By plane
The state's only major airport, the Albuquerque International Sunport, is serviced by most major United States carriers. The airport is not a hub or focus city status for any airline. The largest carrier in terms of flights is Southwest Airlines. With the exception of some regional flights in Santa Fe, Roswell, Farmington, Silver City, and Hobbs, the Sunport is virtually the only way to fly in and out of New Mexico. Another airport in Albuquerque is the Double Eagle II airport, which serves general aviation aircraft.

By train
Albuquerque is served by two rail services. Amtrak's Southwest Chief makes a daily stop in each direction, going on to Los Angeles and Chicago. This station is a layover stop, allowing for passengers to disembark and smoke, buy gifts from local artisans, and stretch their legs. For those closer to the central part of New Mexico, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express provides commuter rail service between Belen and Santa Fe. Service is aligned more for commuters, and less for tourists and travelers.

By car
Albuquerque is built at the intersection of Interstate highways 25 and 40, the latter generally following the route of historic Route 66. Most of the smaller towns of the region are either along one of the Interstates or on one of the lesser highways reached from them.

Get around
There are no unusual driving problems in most of this area under normal conditions; the mountains are not high enough, nor the arid valleys low and hot enough, for significant weather-related driving hazards. (Partial exception for I-25 north to Santa Fe, which gains considerable elevation and can be closed for hours at a time at "La Bajada Hill" north of Cochiti Pueblo due to snow and ice.) One minor warning: Albuquerque doesn't get much snow, and consequently, its residents aren't used to snowy roads. When the occasional snowstorm does blow through, driving conditions in town can range from mildly crazy to downright alarming, more because of the behavior of the motorists than due to objective road hazard.

Public transportation in this area is generally limited to Albuquerque. However, a commuter railroad, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, links the train/bus depot in Downtown Albuquerque to Santa Fe as well as to some of the smaller communities along the Rio Grande: Belen, Los Lunas, and Bernalillo. It runs with limited service daily, with additional service for some special events. Fares are based on how far you ride, and a day pass will usually be in the range of $5–10. Tickets can be purchased online or from ticket agents on the train.

Do

 * Several of the American Indian pueblos of this region have taken advantage of changes in New Mexico and federal law to open large, glitzy casinos. Among the local options are Isleta Casino off I-25 south of Albuquerque, Sandia Casino off I-25 between Albuquerque and Bernalillo, San Felipe's Casino Hollywood off I-25 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and Santa Ana Star Casino on US 550 outside Bernalillo. Most of the casinos have live entertainment and some sort of dining, but be wary of prices, as some make you pay in chips!
 * Outdoor recreation in this area is not as spectacular or as diverse as in the north central region, but the Sandia Mountains offer hiking, mountain biking, skiing, etc. There is also hiking in the lower Manzano Mountains (a southward extension of the Sandias). Cochiti Lake, on the northern edge of the region, offers some water sports, including the curious opportunity to take a canoe or other boat directly to the base of a rock-climbing cliff and climb from the boat.

Stay safe
Albuquerque poses the usual urban safety issues, with the areas around the southwestern part of town having relatively high crime rates. Most crime in these areas involves property rather than violence, and is of less concern to the visitor than to residents. Violent crime is generally not an unusual problem in the rural areas of the region. As in too much of New Mexico, however, drunk driving is widespread, and motorists, cyclists and pedestrians on the roads should be alert, particularly at night.

The environmental safety issues of the area are also fairly conventional: in the mountains, watch the weather and check for signs of altitude sickness (although it's less of an issue than in the higher mountains to the north), while in the lowlands, carry plenty of water when hiking. Water in the few springs and streams should be considered not potable. Sun screen is always a good idea when outdoors here.

Go next

 * Santa Fe is one of the world's great travel destinations and is less than an hour's drive north of Albuquerque. If the weather is good, try going there via the Turquoise Trail (NM SR 14 on the east side of the Sandias) through Cedar Crest and Madrid for a little additional local color. Beyond Santa Fe lies the beautiful scenery and rich culture of North Central New Mexico.
 * Northwest New Mexico lies to the west, with its red rock scenery and rugged desolation. El Malpais National Monument and Acoma Pueblo are just beyond the western boundary of this region, off I-40 near the small, nondescript town of Grants.
 * The town of Socorro lies just beyond the southern boundary of this region in Southwest New Mexico and has a couple of interesting nearby attractions, namely the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, wintering place for huge flocks of sandhill cranes, and the intriguing Very Large Array radio telescope.

title: Central New Mexico


text:
Central New York

The Central region of New York is a crossroads, dominated by the state's fifth-largest city, Syracuse, and the Mohawk River that flows eastward through this region. It borrows aspects from all of the surrounding regions to create a microcosm of New York as a whole: hills and rivers, cities and farms, hard work and recreation. Central New York is sometimes called the "Gateway to the Adirondacks" and is a natural starting point for fall foliage expeditions. It is also rich in history: The battle of Oriskany and the siege of Fort Stanwix figured prominently in the American revolutionary war.

Cities

 * — home of Hamilton College
 * — known as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum; also home to the Farmers' Museum, the Fenimore Art Museum, The New York State Historical Association (NYSHA) library and the Ommegang Brewery, and has a pretty historic district
 * (and Ilion and Mohawk)
 * — a town with a lovely historic district and two colleges
 * — a small city with important wartime history and legacy from the Revolutionary War to World War II, also home to a SUNY college
 * — the major regional population, economic and cultural hub, home to Syracuse University
 * — a city with some nice buildings from the industrial era and good cultural institutions for a community of its size
 * — a town with a lovely historic district and two colleges
 * — a small city with important wartime history and legacy from the Revolutionary War to World War II, also home to a SUNY college
 * — the major regional population, economic and cultural hub, home to Syracuse University
 * — a city with some nice buildings from the industrial era and good cultural institutions for a community of its size
 * — a small city with important wartime history and legacy from the Revolutionary War to World War II, also home to a SUNY college
 * — the major regional population, economic and cultural hub, home to Syracuse University
 * — a city with some nice buildings from the industrial era and good cultural institutions for a community of its size
 * — the major regional population, economic and cultural hub, home to Syracuse University
 * — a city with some nice buildings from the industrial era and good cultural institutions for a community of its size

Hiking
Although lacking any true mountains, Central New York has miles and miles of marked and unmarked trails to explore. Two long distance trails, Finger Lakes Trail (FLT), and North Country Trail (NCT) transit the region.

title: Central New York


text:
North Central Nigeria

North Central Nigeria is a region of Nigeria. It is the larger chunk of the Nigerian Middle Belt, and is composed of the following states: Benue State, Kogi State, Kwara State, Nasarawa State, Niger State, Plateau State, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Cities
Federal Capital Territory
 * — the beautiful, purpose-built national capital city

Benue State Kogi State Kwara State
 * — the food basket of the nation
 * — the administrative capital of Kogi State.
 * — a trade centre for the Yoruba, Ebira, and other peoples of the surrounding area
 * — a multicultural gateway between the northern and southern parts of Nigeria
 * — the Head Post of the Igbomina land
 * — the Head Post of the Igbomina land
 * — the Head Post of the Igbomina land

Nasarawa State

Niger State
 * — Capital city of Niger State.
 * - A former capital of the Nupe kingdom, Bida is noted for its distinct glasswork, beads and metal casting.

Plateau State
 * — Capital of Plateau state. Jos is infamous for its extraordinarily cold weather. For this reason, it was said to be a favorite haunt for the British during the colonial period. With cheap and abundant food, and fine weather, life in this city is however marred by periodic violent clashes, a result of simmering ethnic and religious tensions.

Other destinations

 * — mostly made up of savanna forest
 * — a large wildlife park, home to a wide variety of flora and fauna
 * — home to reptiles, birds, elephants, and lions

Talk

 * Tyap phrasebook
 * Ebira phrasebook
 * Yoruba phrasebook
 * Igala phrasebook
 * Igala phrasebook

title: North Central Nigeria


text:
Central Nordsjælland

Central Nordsjælland covers the northern part of Rudersdal Municipality (named after Rude Forest on the eastern boundary of the area) as well as Allerød Municipality. It is just north of what is considered the boundary of greater Copenhagen and is a diverse area, with green beech forests, lush farmland, and up-scale satellite towns and villages for people working white collar jobs in Copenhagen.

Understand
The area consists of several closely spaced urban areas; Allerød, Lillerød, Lynge, Uggeløse and Birkerød which all used to be sleepy villages before a railway to Hillerød was built in the mid-19th century. Allerød and Birkerød had stations built in the process, and grew by leaps and bounds in the following years, especially after the S-train commuter network was expanded here in 1934, while the other villages have mainly retained a more sleepy village feel to them.

While many of the towns have mushroomed and almost grown together, fuelled by a property boom (the prices are still 30-40% higher than the country average) in the 1990s and early 2000s, there are still patches of green forests, farms and pretty lakes sandwiched between the more built-up areas. The western part of the area around Lynge and Uggeløse maintains a distinctly more rural feel to this day.

Get in
Birkerød and Allerød can be reached by a half hour S-train trip from Copenhagen. To reach Lynge, take S-train E to Allerød and then change to bus 335 or 381, or take S-train A to Farum and change to bus 335.

Get around
Moving around inside the towns is manageable by foot. Travelling between Allerød and Birkerød is done by a few minutes in the S-train. Travelling to Lynge is most easily done from Allerød Station by bus 335.

Reaching other places in the area will often be time consuming by public transportation. A good alternative is taxis:

Woods
The area has plenty of woods well suited for a walk:

Lakes
There are also several lakes in the area, which are worth exploring:

Buy
There is not much of interest in the area when it comes to shopping. For daily stuff, try the main shopping street in the area:

Connect
You will find the following post offices in the area:

Go next

 * Kongernes Nordsjælland National Park has some of Denmark's largest forests

title: Central Nordsjælland


text:
Central North Island

The Central North Island region of New Zealand features the Lake Taupo area and the mountain volcanoes of Tongariro National Park, all situated on a volcanic plateau in the middle of the North Island. The lake, famed for its trout fishing and boating, fills the caldera of one of the largest super-volcanoes in the world, in a still active geological region.

Cities

 * – the closest town to Tongariro NP.
 * – home of the "World's Largest Carrot".
 * – has great views of Tongariro's volcanoes.
 * – home to the only McDonald's where you can dine inside a former plane.
 * – small riverside town.

Other destinations

 * – the country's oldest national park.

Understand
The southern end of the Taupo Volcanic Zone is in the central North Island. From there it extends northwards through Rotorua and out beyond White Island in the Bay of Plenty. About 26,000 years ago, Lake Taupo was a volcano that erupted in an enormous explosion that ejected about 800 cubic kilometres of material and spread it over the central North Island, forming the Volcanic Plateau. The resulting hole in the ground became Lake Taupo after it filled with water draining off the surrounding hills. It last erupted about 1,800 years ago.

Today, Lake Taupo feeds the Waikato River with the water to run eight hydroelectric power stations.

Get in
Taupo Airport is 8 km south of Taupo town centre and has scheduled flights from Auckland and Wellington.

InterCity is a national coach company.

The Northern Explorer train passes through on its way to Auckland (northbound train) and Wellington (southbound train), stopping at National Park Village and Ohakune.

See
The scenery is the main sight in this region, but there are some indoor attractions.

Do

 * Tramp (walk) the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a spectacular alpine day walk, or spend 3-4 days walking the Tongariro Northern Circuit.
 * Taupo is a major centre for adventure activities including tramping, jetboating, sailing, bungy jumping and skydiving.
 * Ohakune is a major centre for skiing and snowboarding.

Go next

 * North to Bay of Plenty
 * Northeast to East Coast
 * East to Hawke's Bay
 * South to Manawatu
 * Southwest to Whanganui
 * West to Waikato

title: Central North Island


text:
Central Oahu

Central Oahu is probably the least interesting of the Oahu's regions, but is a good place to stock up on supplies if you're staying on the North Shore.

Cities

 * Mililani
 * Wahiawa
 * Waikele
 * Waipahu
 * Waipahu

Get in
If you have a car, take the H2 or the Kamehameha Highway north from the H1.

See

 * Pineapple Variety Gardens. A small garden north of Wahiawa at the intersection of State Road 99 and the Waialua turnoff (SR 801), which used to be owned by Del Monte. Displays pineapples in various stages of growth. Not as touristy as the Dole Plantation, and also perhaps a bit more educational. Free.
 * Pineapple Variety Gardens. A small garden north of Wahiawa at the intersection of State Road 99 and the Waialua turnoff (SR 801), which used to be owned by Del Monte. Displays pineapples in various stages of growth. Not as touristy as the Dole Plantation, and also perhaps a bit more educational. Free.

title: Central Oahu


text:
Central Ontario

Central Ontario is a traditional lakes-and-mountains getaway for Torontonians and Ottawans.

Cities

 * — the largest city in the region, and a playground for watersports and boating
 * — a pretty tourist village that caters to sport fishers and shoppers
 * — a small town, with some spectacular falls
 * — the self-proclaimed "Gateway to Muskoka"
 * — features a walking tour of 80 outdoor murals that are reproductions of paintings by the Group of Seven, an important early 20th-century group of Canadian artists
 * — home of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, a living history museum
 * — festivals, museums, and Casino Rama
 * — a business, education, cultural, and health care centre
 * — the world's longest freshwater beach

Understand
Central Ontario is home to about 1.1 million permanent residents (2016), but the influx of seasonal residents in the summer pushes the population over 1½ million as people from the Greater Toronto Area, other parts of Ontario, and from the United States come for the region's lakes, camping, and watersports.

Much of Central Ontario is covered by farms, lakes (with freshwater beaches), rivers or sparsely populated forested land on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield.

The Canadian Shield runs over the northern part of Central Ontario, a recreational area with a much-increased summer-time population, including the wilderness of Algonquin Provincial Park. Often referred to as 'Cottage Country', this area's lakes and rivers are dotted with numerous cottages, some of them seasonal, but many are used as year-round residences because of the abundance of outdoor recreation, baby-boom retiree population, increased local services and improved wireless communication.

Along the northern edge of Central Ontario, are some of the highest elevations in Southern Ontario. These highlands are known as the Opeongo Hills, and they stretch into portions of Eastern Ontario as well.

Climate
Summers are warm and humid (sometimes hot) but are shorter than further south with generally cooler nights. Winters are cold with significant snowfalls; some snowbelt areas receive an average of over 300 cm (120 in) per year. Severe summer storms are also commonplace, particularly in Simcoe County which for Ontario has a high tornado prevalence.

By plane
The main point of access by air is Toronto Pearson Airport to the south of the region. It is Canada's busiest international airport, with flights to all inhabited continents. Ottawa, a bit further away, has a smaller international airport.

Muskoka Airport, between Bracebridge and Gravenhurst, gets flights from Toronto in the summer only.

By bus
Ontario Northland offers service along Highways 11 and 69. GO Transit reaches Barrie and Peterborough in the southern parts of the region.

By car
From Toronto, Highway 400 provides the main access to the western part of the region, while the eastern part is usually accessed from Highways 35 and 115 running north from Highway 401. Parts of Highways 7, 12, and the 400 form part of the Trans-Canada Highway system in this part Ontario. Major routes include:

Highway 400 ("the 400") - a high-speed freeway running north from Toronto to Parry Sound, along the west Lake Huron shore through Simcoe and Muskoka via Barrie. It connects with Hwys 401 and 407 in the Greater Toronto Area, making it the primary route for traffic from Southern Ontario to the north. Cottage traffic from Toronto usually changes to Hwy 11 in Barrie to continue northbound for direct access to Muskoka's most popular towns.

Highway 7 - runs east-west through the Kawarthas, through Peterborough and Lindsay. It connects to Highway 12 in Durham Region.

Highway 11 - the primary north-south corridor through cottage country in Simcoe and Muskoka, from Barrie, through Orillia, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville. It continues onward to North Bay and beyond through Northern Ontario.

Highway 12 - from Hwy 7 in Durham, northwest to Midland via Orillia, where it connects with Hwy 11.

Highway 26 - east-west through Simcoe, from Owen Sound via Collingwood to Barrie, where it connects with Hwys 11 and 400.

Highway 28 - northeast from Peterborough through the Kawarthas to Bancroft, in the Ottawa Valley.

Highway 35 - the primary north-south route through the Kawarthas and Haliburton Highlands, meandering north from the 401 in Clarington to Hwy 60 in Lake of Bays, via Lindsay and Fenelon Falls.

Highway 60 - an east-west route from Renfrew in the Ottawa Valley, to Huntsville via Lake of Bays. East of Huntsville, it is the only developed corridor through Algonquin Provincial Park.

By boat
The Trent-Severn Waterway, constructed in the mid-19th century, spans Central Ontario via a series of boat locks, connecting Georgian Bay with Lake Ontario, entering the bay at Port Severn and Lake Ontario at the Trent River on the Bay of Quinte at Trenton (access to Lake Ontario also can be had by using the Murray Canal). Bypassing many rapids, this waterway is used by pleasure boaters and anglers during the summer months.

By car
Distances between towns can be long as roads often have to wind their way around lakes and bays, but there are many service stations along the way, not to mention beautiful views.

By bus
Bus service between towns is not frequent as it is primarily only along the long-distance routes operated by the companies listed under "Get in". You'll pretty much need your own vehicle or a bike.

See
The Haliburton Sculpture Forest near the village of Haliburton is a unique outdoor collection of sculptures by Canadian and international artists. The Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery near Huntsville is an outdoor trail that features over 90 mural replicas showcasing the works of the Group of Seven painters who were importantly 20th-century Canadian artists.

The Lady Muskoka Steamship offers 2-3 hour cruises on the lakes, lunch cruises, dinner cruises from Bracebridge in the summer. Muskoka Steamships in Gravenhurst offers boat cruises lasting from an hour to a full day on 3 connecting lakes. Vessels include the coal-fired steamship RMS Segwun built in 1887.

Do
Central Ontario is all about the outdoors: boating, camping, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling....

Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve has activities year-round: hiking, canopy tours, lake trout fishing, ice-fishing and dog-sledding in winter, camping.

Haliburton Highlands Water Trails wind through 28,000 hectares of provincial and municipal public lands comprised of countless lakes, rivers, trails and continuous forest.

Haliburton Rail Trail offers 36 km of multi-use trail for bicycling, walking, snowmobiling between Kinmount and Haliburton. The Victoria Rail Trail is a 55-km trail that stretches from Lindsay 22 km through Cameron to Fenelon Falls, then 33 km to Kinmount. The trail is used year-round for hiking, horseback riding, cycling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.

Ken Reid Conservation Area, near Lindsay, offers nature & wildlife areas, loop trails through forests, meadows, and wetlands. Algonquin Provincial Park, east of Huntsville, offers spectacular hiking, canoeing and camping in a vast and beautiful park that is almost three times the size of Luxembourg. Renting a houseboat is a popular way of seeing the Trent-Severn Waterway and the Kawartha lakes. The season typically runs from mid-May to mid-October (when you may get to see the beginnings of the autumn colours).

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park offers the world's longest freshwater beach: 18 km of white sand.

Go next

 * Golden Horseshoe and Toronto
 * Northern Ontario
 * Eastern Ontario

title: Central Ontario


text:
Central Oregon

Central Oregon is a region of Oregon.

Cities

 * - A small resort city that serves as the gateway to Central Oregon. Bend's destination page includes a lot of information about the main sights and activities in the region.
 * - A major vacation resort.
 * - A small town at the foot of the Cascade Mountains. There are a couple of resorts nearby, and there is easy access to many of the wilderness areas of the Central Oregon Cascades.
 * - An Indian Reservation along Highway 26 nestled in a gorge carved by the Deschutes River.
 * - A major vacation resort.
 * - A small town at the foot of the Cascade Mountains. There are a couple of resorts nearby, and there is easy access to many of the wilderness areas of the Central Oregon Cascades.
 * - An Indian Reservation along Highway 26 nestled in a gorge carved by the Deschutes River.

Understand
Central Oregon is a fairly remote region of the state that is enjoyed by millions of people (largely Oregonians) every year. While the state is usually associated with lush, rainy forests and farmland, most of the state (about 2/3rds) is covered by grassland and high desert. The continental climate is generally hot in the summer, and cold and snowy in the winter. Nevertheless, it is considered a main outdoor recreational center of the state, with numerous activities from hiking and camping in the wilderness, to boating, to one of the state's top ski resorts.

By car

 * US 97.svg Serves as the main north-south road through Central Oregon cities of Madras, Sunriver, Bend from the Dalles in the north and Klamath Falls in the south.
 * US 20.svg
 * US 26.svg connects Portland to Bend through the southside of Mt Hood (Government Camp) and Madras and Sunriver. It continues across the rest
 * OR 22.svg comes from Salem through Detroit Lake into Bend
 * OR 126.svg

By plane

 * (2522 SE Jesse Butler Circle) is the major airport for commercial flights serving Redmond, Bend, Sunriver, Prineville and the surrounding communities of Central Oregon. The airport is in the southeast part of town, southeast of the intersection US Hwy 97 & SR-126 and north of Bend along US Hwy 97. The next nearest airport in Portland International Airport  in Portland with more flights from more national and international destinations.

Get around
Central Oregon is best explored by car. Other transportation options are sparse, where they exist. Use caution when diverting from major highways or during the winter, as road conditions can vary widely.

Go next

 * Willamette Valley, to the west
 * Eastern Oregon, to the east
 * Mt. Hood and Columbia Gorge, to the north

title: Central Oregon


text:
Central Oregon Coast

Central Oregon Coast is a region of Oregon, USA.

Do

 * Cleowox Lake Kayak and Paddle Boat Rentals + Public Swimming and Picnicing Area South of Florence

title: Central Oregon Coast


text:
Central Ostrobothnia

Central Ostrobothnia (Keski-Pohjanmaa, Mellersta Österbotten) is in Western Finland.

Cities

 * – the regional centre of Central Ostrobothnia.

Other municipalities

 * Inland Central Ostrobothnia
 * – Famous for its folk music festival.

Other destinations

 * – contains the largest mire wilderness in southern Finland.

Understand
The province is known for its beautiful coastline, archipelago, and many lakes. The economy of Central Ostrobothnia is mainly based on industries such as agriculture, forestry, and manufacturing.

Get in
There is  in Kronoby serving Kokkola with flights from Helsinki and Stockholm. Kokkola is on the main north–south railroad, so you can easily get in by train from the southern or northern parts of the country. In addition, coaches along the coast stop in Kokkola, from where you can continue with regional buses to inland towns.

Get around
There is a bus network covering most of the province, but services are sparse on most of the routes. Timetables from Matkahuolto. The Kulukuri service brings together all the mobility services of the rural areas of Central Ostrobothnia in one place.

By taxi

 * National smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Taxi Booker (iTaksi)

See

 * Tankar lighthouse off Kokkola.
 * Neristan, the old town of Kokkola.

Do

 * Celebrate what is called the "Venetian party" (venetiansk afton); the ending of the summer cottage season with fireworks in Kokkola (and the rest of the Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia).
 * Watch and listen to folk music performances at the huge yearly in Kaustinen in July.
 * Kaustinen also host a classical music festival, the in January–February. Many of the local musicians master both genres, which can be seen in some concerts at both festivals.

Stay safe
The region of Central Ostrobothnia is safe.

title: Central Ostrobothnia