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West Coast (Finland)

The West Coast of Finland is a geographically flat region bordering the Gulf of Bothnia. Being the westernmost part of Finland, this is where western influences such as Christianity first arrived in Finland. As a result of this, here you can find some of Finland's oldest cities and towns as well as half of the country's Swedish-speaking minority. This article comprises the pre-1997 Turku and Pori and Vaasa provinces.

Towns and cities

Finnish name/Swedish name, name of majority language linked:
 * /Karleby
 * /Kristinestad
 * /Närpes – tomato capital of Finland with their own, very special Swedish dialect
 * /Jakobstad
 * /Björneborg
 * /Raumo – beautifully preserved old town which is on the UNESCO world heritage list
 * – transport hub, biggest city in Southern Ostrobothnia
 * /Åbo – the former capital of Finland
 * /Vasa – main city of Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia

National parks

 * – see Archipelago Sea
 * – lighthouses, seals and waterfowl, accessible with tour boat, a few spots also by road
 * – open bogs, small lakes, and old growth forest. Accessible with public transportation from Turku
 * – woodland, coast to the archipelago and old ironworks
 * – highest point of Western Finland
 * – large open bogs and dry pine forests. Kauhajoki and Karvia,
 * – mires, lakes, ponds and forests
 * – mires, lakes, ponds and forests

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

 * – post-glacial bouncing coast with De Geer moraines
 * – famous wooden old town
 * – bronze age burial sites near Rauma

Other

 * – zoo with giant pandas!
 * – everything you wanted to know about nuclear power
 * – the biggest meteor crater in Finland and one of the largest ones in Europe as well
 * – a vast meteor crater not filled with water but crops fields. Astronomical exhibition. Important bird watching site.
 * – a shamelessly overheating hypermarket complex in a tiny village. Weird but very popular attraction.

Understand
The West Coast is a region with long-standing agricultural traditions. The southwest is the "breadbasket of Finland". Vast expanses of flat land with cultivated fields characterize the Ostrobothnian (Finnish: Pohjanmaa, Swedish: Österbotten) regions, in obvious contrast to the heavily forested inland Finland. These open arable landscapes are known as lakeus in Finnish. Coastal traditions, fishing and boating are also a part of the tourism scene in the region. As an exception, the hinterlands of Satakunta between Pori and Tampere are densely forested, sparsely populated and can be relatively hard to reach.

In Finnish ethnography, the west coast does not form a unified entity, but is clearly divided between Ostrobothnia and the Southwest, which have notably different dialects. Furthermore, in the inland, there is a small region of Savo dialect speakers (so called savolaiskiila) in southeastern Ostrobothnia and Häme dialect speakers in eastern Satakunta. Finnish Ostrobothnian dialects are fairly recognizable and people tend to have very strong local identity.

Owing to old traditions of agricultural land ownership, both cultures place a high value on honesty, the Protestant work ethic, and property ownership. Distinctively, as compared to the rest of Finland, there are many small and medium-sized enterprises that result in a high level of economic development.

Religious awakening or revival movements with a lay preacher tradition – such as Laestadianism, Evangelicalism, and Awakening – are particularly popular in the Ostrobothnia region. Certain parts of Ostrobothnia are even sometimes referred to as a Bible Belt of Finland. At those areas you may find people having quite conservative views. An exceptional feature in generally liberal Finland.

A second major feature of the region are the Swedish-speakers, see Talk below.

Talk
The coastal region Ostrobothnia, as well as the south-west archipelago (bordering to Åland), has a Swedish speaking majority. Swedish-speakers are often in the majority in the countryside along the coasts, and much of the archipelago is more or less exclusively Swedish-speaking; in Närpes, Larsmo, and Korsnäs more than 80 % of the population speak Swedish (and the Finnish may be outnumbered by immigrants). Most cities and towns are bilingual with Finnish as the majority language, but in most smaller towns in Ostrobothnia, such as Kristinestad, Jakobstad, and Nykarleby, as well as Pargas in Finland Proper, Swedish is the majority language. Also the city Turku is bilingual, having the only unilingually Swedish university in Finland.

The Swedish dialects spoken in Ostrobothnia are characteristic and archaic. Even native Swedish speakers may face difficulties understanding them. The dialects are however used mostly among fellow dialect speakers; most people are bilingual with standard Swedish – and speak English like everybody else.

Spoken Finnish dialects in Finland Proper and Satakunta are notably different from dialects spoken in the Ostrobothnian provinces. You might find some local dialect based humour at least in Turku and Ostrobothnia.

Get in

Turku is well connected, with ferries from Sweden, rail from Helsinki and Tampere and an airport with a few international services. Some more cities have flights at least from Helsinki. Also Vaasa has a ferry from Sweden. Highway E8 runs through the region, and major cities also have highways and rail from the inland.

By plane
Domestically, Pori, Vaasa and Kokkola have flights from Helsinki, though unless you're connecting from an international flight or in an extreme hurry flying from Helsinki doesn't make much sense — even Kokkola is reachable in just four hours by the fastest trains. In addition, Turku and Vaasa are served from Stockholm by SAS and AirBaltic and Wizz Air fly to Turku from Riga and Gdansk, respectively.

Tampere airport is fairly close and well connected to Satakunta, Southern Ostrobothnia and Finland Proper, and is the Finnish hub for AirBaltic.

By train
The Finnish main north-south train line, between Helsinki and Oulu, passes through Seinäjoki, Bennäs near Jakobstad, and Kokkola. There are frequent trains also on the Tampere–Turku and Helsinki–Turku railways. Vaasa has a connection from Seinäjoki and Pori one from Tampere. Few other towns have passenger train service. See VR.

By bus
Major cities are connected to each other and to Helsinki by several coaches a day – Turku has coaches from Helsinki more than hourly – and most smaller towns have a couple of daily buses to the nearest major city. See Matkahuolto for timetables.

By boat
There are four daily ferries from Stockholm to Turku via Åland; Silja Line and Viking Line have one day and one overnight departure each. From Kapellskär in Norrtälje Finnlines sails to Naantali for those with vehicles (bikes suffice), and you can also get in with smaller ferries from islands along the northern and southern ferry line in Åland. Further north Vaasanlaivat's Wasa Express brings passengers from Umeå to Vaasa. This route has a history of economic problems since it lost taxfree rights, but financing seems to be being secured for at least some years (as of 2022).

The passages over the Sea of Åland and Kvarken (in Gulf of Bothnia) are short enough also for small boats on a fine day. From Åland one can continue through the Archipelago Sea off Turku. It is also not uncommon to sail directly from Gotland. From the east, Hanko is a common waypoint (see Hanko to Uusikaupunki by boat).

By car
There are good roads to any town in the region. Also minor places have decent connections, although you may need to leave your car behind for some island destinations.

Get around

The national road 8, part of E8, colloquially known as Kasitie or Riksåttan, is the backbone of transport along the west coast, with coaches from Turku to the coastal cities northward, and some more between them. As the road has been straightened, there are parallel roads, better suited for tour cyclists, along some of it. Eurovelo biking route VL 10 (not yet marked at this leg, as of 2022) follows this route.

Coaches are usually the best form of intercity public transportation. Timetables are available from Matkahuolto. In some of the countryside, services are very sparse. Check for connections via some regional hub and special arrangements such as "line taxis".

In most of the region, trains are little use for getting around; there are no regional train services as of 2023.

As elsewhere in Finland, driving is the most convenient way to get to remote places. Pay attention to the speed limits on highways — speed limits that change intermittently between 80 and 100 and speed cameras are frequent! The highways are mostly just two-lane, with a lot of truck traffic. If you have a long journey, you might want to drive some of it on alternative routes with less traffic and more to see.

See

 * Turku castle and cathedral.
 * The old town of Rauma, an, and other nice wooden old towns.
 * The Bronze Age burial site in Sammallahdenmäki, an.
 * Kvarken Archipelago, an.
 * Giant kettle Pirunpesä in Jalasjärvi, the deepest earth erosion in Europe.
 * The plains of Southern Ostrobothnia.
 * Kultaranta, the summer residence of the President of Finland in Naantali.
 * Alvar Aalto centre, the administrative and cultural centre of Seinäjoki, designed by Alvar Aalto in the late 1950s.

Itineraries

 * National road 8, i.e. E8, is the main road along the coast.
 * Hanko to Uusikaupunki by boat leads through the Archipelago Sea.

Do

 * Sail around the Archipelago Sea, the Bothnian Sea National Park or the Kvarken Archipelago. Kayaks are a nice alternative.
 * Go swimming at Yyteri sand beach near Pori.
 * Enjoy music at Finland's oldest rock festival Ruisrock in Turku each July.
 * Meet the characters from the Moomin stories in the theme park Muumimaailma in Naantali, walk around the old town and relax at the Naantali Spa.
 * Dance tango at the yearly Tangomarkkinat festival in Seinäjoki.
 * Celebrate the ending of the summer cottage season with fireworks in Kokkola.
 * Watch a local hockey derby in Rauma or Pori

Eat
The Archipelago Sea is, unsurprisingly, famous for seafood dishes. Silakka, strömming, the Baltic herring, is commonly available. Due to the mild climate neitsytperuna, literally "virgin potato", the first potatoes of the summer, are an appreciated and quite expensive delicacy, celebrated around the Midsummer in June. Also in Satakunta fish dishes are common, especially the lavaret and smoked lampreys.

Most tomatoes and cucumbers in Finland are produced in Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia, especially in Närpes. The culinary traditions of Finnish-speaking Ostrobothnia resemble those further north. Try juustoleipä, a spotted squeaky cheese, or rusinamakkara, a sausage seasoned with raisins and barley pearls.

Juice and jam of sea buckthorn (Finnish: tyrni, Swedish: havtorn) is generally associated with the West Coast.

A fast food speciality from Pori (available elsewhere in the country too) is porilainen — a kind of a "hamburger" made with two slices of white bread, between them a thick slice of sausage and onion dices, pickled cucumber, ketchup and mustard.

Drink
In Satakunta there are still living traditions of making sahti, an ancient beer-like beverage seasoned with juniper branches instead of hops. It is hard to find but definitely worth to try.

Koskenkorva, one of the most recognized spirit brands in Finland, is produced in the Koskenkorva village of the Ilmajoki municipality in Southern Ostrobothnia. The distillery is one of the largest employers in the small community.

title: West Coast (Finland)


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Western Galilee

The Western Galilee is the most northern coastal region of Israel.

Understand
The Western Galilee aka North Coast of Israel extends along the Mediterranean Sea shoreline for 40 km, from the Carmel Range to Rosh Haniqra on the Israeli border with Lebanon, and inland across the coastal plain for 5-10 km until it reaches the hills of the Upper Galilee and Lower Galilee. It is a relatively isolated and tranquil region of great natural beauty, great opportunities for outdoor fun and full of historical and cultural interest. The "Bahá’i Holy Places in Haifa and the Western Galilee" in the region have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Most people speak Hebrew, but many residents also speak Arabic or English.

Get in
Train, bus, car or hitch-hiking into the Western Galilee are the options you have. See Akko on more specifics.

A train extension to get to and from Karmiel, in the central Galilee, is scheduled to open in 2017.

By bus
Regular bus services also run along the coast until Rosh Haniqra.

By car
You should take highways 2 (south of Haifa) or 22 (north of Haifa) which are motorways, or highway 4 which is a more local road.

By thumb
Hitch-hiking is also possible and relatively easy north of Akko.

See
Apart from the sights within Akko and Nahariyya and the dazzling Rosh Haniqra, the following are of interest.

Do

 * Sea to Sea hike from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee. A 3-4 day hike, and a pleasant way to experience the Upper Galilee.
 * Akhziv Field School runs a tour of the Akhziv lagoon, where you can find sea creatures (like crabs and starfish) and the guide explains the ecosystem. Goggles recommended. (See below for location.)

Sleep
Not many remote accommodation options. Have a look at the main cities to find a place to stay.

Go next

 * Carmel Range – a small yet diverse region of hills just south-east of and including Haifa.
 * Upper Galilee and Lower Galilee – just east, including the famous Nazareth – the largest Arab city in Israel and best known as the home of Joseph and Mary – and the religiously interesting Safed.
 * Tiberias – A large Israeli town in the east and great starting point for the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights.

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

title: Western Galilee


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Ionian Islands

The Ionian Islands refers to the chain of Greek Islands stretching along the west coast of Greece in the Ionian Sea. Due to historical facts the isolated islands of Kithira and Antikythera, south of the Peloponnese, are here included in this group. These islands are traditionally called the Heptanese, i.e. "the Seven Islands" in Greek, but the group includes many smaller islands as well as the seven principal ones. The islands are well known for their beautiful sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, architecture, charming villages and stunning scenic countryside which is verdant and flourishing with greenery and nature. Each Ionian island has a distinct character. The islands are also known by their Italian names. These islands are known to be covered with green unlike the Cyclades, which is due to rareness of rain. Historically, these islands had a common fate, especially the three major islands of Corfu, Cefalonia and Zante.

Islands
The main islands in terms of geographical area from north to south are the following:
 * Ereikousa

 * Othonoi

 * Mathraki

 * Meganisi

 * Kalamos, the island is in the center of the inner Ionian marine protected area, the largest marine protected area in Greece

 * Kastos

 * Megalo Fermekoulo

 * Mikro Fermekoulo

 * Atokos

 * Echinades group of islands

 * (Val di Compare), the island is mostly known as the home of Odysseus.

 * (Cefalonia), the biggest island of the group. It is famous for its beaches and especially for Myrtos Beach.

 * (Zante), it is famous as a nesting beach of the Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta and the Navagio Beach.

 * Arpia

 * Stamfani

 * (Cerigo)

 * — most famous for the discovery of the Antikythera mechanism, inside the historical Antikythera wreck, a Roman cargo ship full of treasure that sank here.

In the parentheses are written the Italian names of some of the islands.

Cities
Major communities throughout the islands:

 * (Κέρκυρα, Kérkyra) – capital of Corfu Island itself and of the region
 * (Ζάκυνθος, Zakynthos) – capital of Zante Island
 * (Αργοστόλι) – capital of Cefalonia

Talk
Greek is the native language of the Heptanesians. Italian was widely spoken as a foreign language as well as a mother tongue before the Union of these islands with Greece. This was due to the Venetian rule over the islands which lasted for hundreds years. During Venetian rule, many of the upper classes spoke Italian (or Venetian in some cases) and converted to Roman Catholicism, there was also a 'colonization' of Italian (Venetian) soldiers (stradioti) and wealthy families to these islands. These groups were in a big scale assimilated to the Greek nation and religion (Eastern Orthodoxy) mainly due to mixed marriages. During the Ionian independence (Septinsular Republic) and the British protection Italian language was the co-official language of this small state along with Greek. After WW2 a decline on knowledge of Italian were noticed. Nowadays Italian language is being taught at schools, and although the percentage of people speaking Italian as a second language has been increased, English is the most widely studied and understood of foreign languages in the islands, followed by Italian, French, and then German. The local Greek dialect can be described as a 'sing-song', with strong Italian influence on the vocabulary and pronunciation. So it is possible that many words used by the old people from the Heptanese aren't understandable amongst other Greeks.

By plane
Major airports in the region include Corfu, Kephalonia and Zakynthos. Keep in mind that many routes are seasonal. During the low season, you will need to connect via Athens.

By ferry
There are ferries to Corfu, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Kythira, Paxi and Zakynthos.

title: Ionian Islands


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Western Greenland

Western Greenland (Greenlandic: Kitaa, Danish: Vestgrønland) is a region of Greenland. Home to the capital, Nuuk, this is the part of Greenland that you would probably think of if you've only seen the stereotypical picture. Large icebergs can be seen floating in the ocean with dogsled trips from one small settlement to another. In these settlements, fish and sharkmeat are often hanging outside small colorful houses along with the constant barking of dogs in the background.

Cities

 * (Danish: Godthåb) – Capital of Greenland
 * (Danish: Egedesminde)
 * (Danish: Jacobshavn)
 * (Danish: Søndre Strømfjord, English: Sondrestrom)
 * (Danish: Sukkertoppen)
 * (Danish: Rodebay)
 * (Danish: Frederikshåb)
 * (Danish: Holsteinsborg)
 * (Danish: Umanak)
 * (Danish: Umanak)

By plane
The trans-oceanic service to Greenland either lands at Kangerlussuaq, Narsarsuaq (the only two airports in the country which can accept anything larger than a turboprop), or the capital Nuuk from Iceland and Canada with smaller planes in the summer.

Kangerlussaq is the main hub with daily flights year-around. The other international flights are seasonal.

From Kangerlussaq, you can reach any other city or settlement in the country, through Air Greenland's domestic network.

Read the Greenland page for more information.

Get around
There is no road system between settlements. The easiest way to get around Greenland is by plane, particularly Air Greenland. Within Western Greenland, there are airports at Aasiaat, Ilulissat, Kangerlussuaq, Maniitsoq, Nuuk, Paamiut, Qaarsut and Sisimiut. Air Greenland also operates helicopter flights to smaller settlements.

In the summer, Arctic Umiaq Line passenger ships provide service to destinations between Narsarsuaq and Uummannaq along the west coast. Diskoline passenger ships provide service to settlements around Ilulissat.

Eat
Suaasat is their national dish. A soup usually made out of rice, onions, bayleaf, seal, or whale, reindeer, or sea-birds.

Petrified Greenland shark is also eaten. It is not as popular as it is in Iceland, and is an acquired taste. The Icelandic name of the dish is Hákarl.

title: Western Greenland


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Western Guangdong

Western Guangdong is in Guangdong Province in China.

Cities

 * , former French colony and now a major sea port
 * , the city of stone dogs. The old capital of the region
 * , gateway to the island province of Hainan
 * , former French colony and now a major sea port
 * , the city of stone dogs. The old capital of the region
 * , gateway to the island province of Hainan
 * , gateway to the island province of Hainan

Other destinations

 * , known for its long sea beach
 * , home to a sea turtle sanctuary

Talk
The area is home to multiple dialects that are closely related to Cantonese, though mutual intelligibility with standard Cantonese varies. While the dialect spoken in Zhanjiang should not pose too much of a challenge, the dialects spoken in Yangjiang and Huazhou can be rather tricky for speakers of standard Cantonese to understand. Nevertheless, most speakers of these dialects understand and speak standard Cantonese too. The local dialect in Leizhou is a variant of Min Chinese that is closely related to Hainanese, though not mutually intelligible.

As with elsewhere in China, Mandarin is the official language and spoken by most younger locals.

Get in
A fairly large number of "conventional" (overnight) trains arrive to Western Guangdong from all over China. Some terminate in Zhanjiang; other run the length of the Leizhou Peninsula, with stops at Leizhou and Xuwen, and then continue on a ferry to Hainan.

In the late 2018, high-speed train service started on the new line connecting Guangzhou South Station with Maoming and Zhanjiang West Station.

There is a fairly well served airport in Zhanjiang, connected by direct flights with China's main air hubs.

title: Western Guangdong


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Western Highlands (Guatemala)

The Western Highlands are a lush and beautiful mountainous region in Guatemala, stretching from the outskirts of Antigua to the Mexican border. The region is defined by two main features: the Sierra Madre, a mountain range of volcanoes on its south side, and the tall mountain ranges that form the northern side. The greatest of these are the Cuchumatanes mountains where the Ixil Triangle is located.

Regions

 * - beautiful volcanic lake surrounded by several quaint Mayan villages, each with a distinct personality.

Cities

 * — known for its colorful markets held every Thursday and Sunday
 * — last major town before or from the Mexican border
 * — Lake Atitlan's most visited town
 * — Guatemala's western center makes an excellent base for studying Spanish

Towns & villages

 * — a K'iche' village with a glass-blowing factory open to tourists, and a couple of small archaeological sites.
 * — a small K'iche' village with a colourful church
 * — a coffee-producing town in the foothills
 * — the capital of the state of Solola has a market that attracts shoppers and vendors from throughout the state
 * — a coffee-producing town in the foothills
 * — the capital of the state of Solola has a market that attracts shoppers and vendors from throughout the state
 * — the capital of the state of Solola has a market that attracts shoppers and vendors from throughout the state
 * — the capital of the state of Solola has a market that attracts shoppers and vendors from throughout the state

Other destinations

 * For hikers, there are decent walking and climbing routes in the western highlands, including volcanoes of various difficulty, ranging from the Chicabal crater lake, which can be reached on an easy day trip from Quetzaltenango, to Tajumulco, requiring several days.
 * There are archaeological remains across the highlands.
 * — active volcano on the border between Mexico and Guatemala, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Understand
The landscape of the highland is controlled by many factors but perhaps the most important is its altitude. At lower altitude, the plants are almost tropical with coffee, cotton bananas and cacao while at higher up the hills are often wrapped in clouds and the ground is sometimes covered with frost. There, corn and potatoes are grown as main crops.

Talk
Expect English only in the more touristy destinations, such as Panajachel or Chichicastenango. Spanish is the language of choice in all the major towns. The Western Highlands have a majority Maya population, and each region has its own distinct language. If you are heading into the real backwaters, the locals will speak Spanish as a second language, if at all. In remote towns, the only Spanish speakers may be doctors or lawyers.

Get in
Buses from Guatemala City travel to all the major towns in the Western Highlands, notably Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango and San Marcos. IF travelling from Antigua, change at Chimaltenango for onward buses. The main way in from Mexico is via La Mesilla, with connections from San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas, usually ending up in Huehuetenango.

Get around
There will be a constant flow of buses along the Interamericana Highway. Some of them will be branching off onto minor roads to more remote areas. Going through these roads can be an exhausting experience, particularly in northern Huehuetenango and Quiche regions but scenery makes it well worth the travel. The most recommended plan is to base yourself in one of the larger city or village and then make a series of day-trips to those more remote areas.

See
Spending time in the western highlands means you'll have lots of choices with spectacular verdant scenery yielding up atmospheric highland villages of adobe houses and whitewashed colonial churches at every turn. On top of the colorful market towns and astonishing landscapes for which the regions is known for, there are a few restored archaeological sites such as the pre-conquest cities of Q'umarkaj (Utatlán), and Zaculeu. For the adventurous, there are also a great many unrestored sites largely forgotten in the mountains.

Itineraries

 * If coming from Mexico via La Mesilla, stop off at Huehuetenango and visit the nearby Maya ruins at Zaculeu, and perhaps one of the Cuchumatanes towns such as Todos Santos Cuchumatán if you have time. From there to Quetzaltenango, surrounded by interesting villages, and perhaps climb the Santa María volcano. From Quetzaltenango to Chichicastenango and to Lake Atitlán, and onwards to the Central Highlands around Antigua Guatemala.
 * If coming from Antigua Guatemala or Guatemala City, stop by the Maya ruins of Iximche near Tecpán Guatemala, then onwards to Lake Atitlán, from there to Chichicastenango, and then onward to Quetzaltenango. From Quetzaltenango, you can either head for Huehuetenango, or head onwards to Retalhuleu in the Pacific Lowlands, or San Marcos to climb the Tajumulco volcano, the highest in Central America.

Do
The numerous Spanish language schools, volunteer opportunies, and opportunities for laziness which the Western Highlands offer are described in the individual articles of the region's cities.
 * Climb a volcano, such as Santa María near Quatzaltenango, or Tajumulco near San Marcos

Eat
Beware of eating unwashed vegetables, and particularly avoid eating lettuce, which is a notorious source of amoeba infection - even the locals avoid eating lettuce served in restaurants.

Drink

 * Atol de elote, available in markets, a delicious hot maize drink.

Stay safe
It's sad but as you might have expected, crime against tourist including armed robbery and rape is not common in the Atitlán area but it does happen. There have been isolated incidents reported in Panajachel late at night and if you are planning to hike the volcano nearby, check with the tourist office first for the latest security information. Quetzaltenango is a major city, so be aware of your surroundings and take especial care after dark.

Bear in mind the altitude, especially if you have just flown in from sea level. Even rushing around the city streets in Quetzaltenango can soon exhaust you if you are not acclimatised. Ideally, allow yourself a couple of weeks acclimatisation in the highlands before taking on a volcano.

Go next

 * Guatemalan Highlands

title: Western Highlands (Guatemala)


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Western Highlands (Liaoning)

Western Highlands is in Liaoning in China.

title: Western Highlands (Liaoning)


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Western Illinois

Western Illinois  is a region of Illinois generally bounded by the Mississippi River to the west, I-80 to the north and I-39/I-55 to the east. It has two major anchors: Peoria and the Illinois side of the Quad Cities. Being culturally similar to Central Illinois, they are sometimes presented together as the same region.

Regions

 * Forgottonia is a region in the greater Western Illinois region of Illinois anchored by Quincy. The name refers to the tongue-in-cheek independence movement the area held in the 1970s following a series of setbacks which damaged the long-term economic development prospects of the region including the defeat of interstate and passenger rail projects and the moving of Carthage College from Carthage, IL to Kenosha, WI.  The region is also uniquely divided from the rest of the state as the majority lies between the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers and can only be reached by limited bridge access.  Though definitions may vary, the region traditionally includes the entirety of 14 counties including Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, Morgan, Pike, Schuyler, Scott and Warren.  By and large, the entire area is rural but has some attractions worth seeing.
 * The Illinois Quad Cities—4-headed metro region in western Illinois and Eastern Iowa containing Rock Island and Moline. Davenport and Bettendorf are on the Iowa side of the Mississippi.
 * Greater Peoria: The region immediately surrounding Peoria.

Cities

 * - home of the Arenzville Burgoo
 * - The southern anchor city of the region, Quincy is a port city on the Mississippi River.
 * - founded by Joseph Smith and the LDS
 * - the largest city in Western Illinois, Peoria is home to Bradley University, an interesting riverfront with minor-league baseball and is also home to headquarters of Caterpillar and other large companies.
 * (home of Western Illinois University - Quad Cities Campus) and Rock Island - two of the Quad Cities
 * - home of Illinois College, the first college in the state
 * - unique town with big city conveniences and small town charm.
 * - the northern anchor city of the region, home of Knox College and poet Carl Sandburg.
 * - home to Western Illinois University
 * - unique town with big city conveniences and small town charm.
 * - the northern anchor city of the region, home of Knox College and poet Carl Sandburg.
 * - home to Western Illinois University

Understand
Western Illinois is generally defined as the area west of I-39, south of I-80 and north of Metro-East. Much of the land in the region is dedicated to agriculture but there are several small towns that dot the region.

Culturally, the area is similar to neighboring Central Illinois and Southeast Iowa. The people are friendly but do not particularly care for Chicago.

Get around
The best way to travel throughout the region is by car. I-74 is the primary thoroughfare and connects anchor cities Peoria and Rock Island. It also provides service to the Illinois Twin Cities (Bloomington and Normal) and the Urbana and Champaign area. US 24 serves as a secondary thoroughfare and connects Peoria to Quincy another anchor city located on the Mississippi. Interstate 72 also provides some service to the southern portions of the region.

title: Western Illinois


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Western India

 * Not to be confused with the West Indies, also known as the Caribbean.

Western India comprises three large states, one small state and one small union territory. It is bounded by Pakistan and the Arabian Sea to its west and the Gangetic Plains to its east. This is the most heterogeneous of India's regions, with the states differing dramatically from one another in language, culture and levels of economic development. Maharashtra and Gujarat are among the most industrialised states of India, while Rajasthan and Goa are magnets for tourists, though for different reasons.

Regions
Western India consists of four states:

There is also a union territory:
 * Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu — a group of enclaves, former Portuguese territories, within Gujarat

Cities
Here are nine of the most notable cities.

 * — the commercial and business capital of Gujarat and one of the fastest developing cities in Asia

 * (Sambhaji Nagar) — a few miles from the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves, a sacred site for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists

 * — the Pink City, famous for Rajput architecture

 * — the Sun City, also known as the Blue City

 * (Bombay) — the financial capital, a major port city of India, and the home of Bollywood

 * — the geographical center of India

 * (Panjim) — capital of Goa state, with laidback lifestyle and lots of Portuguese heritage

 * — Maharashtra's cultural capital, a historic city and home to many educational institutions

 * — home to the country's only Brahma temple; the camel festival in November is an added bonus

Other destinations

 * — an enclave wedged between Gujarat and Maharashtra

 * — a beautiful island within Saurashtra

 * (Ekta Nagar) — a small town best known for the Statue of Unity, the tallest statue in the world

 * — a gigantic red fort amongst the rugged Arravali Hills, with a wildlife sanctuary nearby

 * — largest district of India, Harappan city of Dholavira, a wild ass sanctuary also host of Kutch Mahotsav

 * — between Mumbai and Pune, this is Asia's only pedestrian resort

 * — Rajasthan's only hill station and home to a group of five Jain temples

 * — comprising Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts, has towns with well-preserved havelis, forts and temples

Understand
This region has some of the country's most popular destinations. In Rajasthan, the desert forts of Jaisalmer and the magnificent sand-dunes evoke all the romance and splendour of its princely past. Gujarat's Jain temples and intricately designed stepwells are architectural marvels, while its natural beauty can be enjoyed on the beaches of Diu.

The landscape in Western India varies from the sand-dunes of Rajasthan to the vast salts of the Kutch, to the urban bustle of Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, etc.

Talk
As in the rest of India, most of the people in the tourist industry speak basic English at the very least. Hindi is widely spoken and understood except in remote rural areas.

Rajasthanis speak regional Rajasthani (and its dialects like Marwari, Mewari, Shekhawati, and Hadoti) as well as Hindi, which is also widely used for media and education. Marathas (people of Maharashtra) speak Marathi, Goans Konkani while people from Gujarat speak Gujarati. English, Gujarati, Hindi and Marathi are spoken in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu as well.

Get in
Flying in is convenient, and there are many airports. Railway and sea links exist, but are not recommended for a number of reasons.

By plane
By far the most convenient way to enter the region. There are many international airports and Mumbai is the busiest in the country.

International

 * Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is the gateway to India and serves over 40 international carriers. You can fly in from a number of important cities, including Paris, Frankfurt, London, New York, Singapore, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
 * Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad from Doha, Kuwait, Dubai, Sharjah, Bangkok and Singapore.
 * Pune Airport is quite small and it is a rather inconvenient option for entering India. Nonetheless, it is served by Air India to Singapore and Dubai.
 * Jaipur International Airport has limited international flights to the Gulf and Southeast Asia.
 * Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur is another small international airport.
 * Dabolim Airport in Vasco da Gama is Goa's only airport.

Domestic

 * Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport : You can reach here from Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Bhopal, Chennai, Goa, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata and Pune.
 * Surat Airport : You can reach here from Mumbai and Delhi.
 * Civil Airport Harni : You can reach here from Mumbai and Delhi.
 * Rajkot Airport : You can reach here from Mumbai.
 * Bhavnagar Airport : You can reach here from Mumbai.
 * Porbandar Airport : Only connected to Diu.
 * Bhuj Airport : You can reach here from Mumbai.
 * Jamnagar Airport : You can reach here from Mumbai.

By train
International options are terribly limited given the length of the Rajasthan–Sindh border and there are no trains between India and Pakistan since 2019.

Indian Railways trains connect Western India to many important cities in other parts of the country. Mumbai Central, Mumbai CSMT, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Pune City, Jaipur and Chhatrapati Sahu Maharaj Terminus are important junctions.

The Delhi Cantonment–Ajmer Vande Bharat Express is the fastest train to Western India. The Delhi–Mumbai Rajdhani Express connects the capital to Mumbai in 18 hours. The Delhi–Thiruvananthapuram Rajdhani Express also passes through Western India and is the fastest way of travelling through some parts of Gujarat.

By boat
Cruises from the Mediterranean ports can be organized and are generally very expensive, amounting to well over €500 one-way. Mumbai is the busiest port in the country. Unless you have a lot of time to spare and a deep pocket, this option is not recommended. There are cheaper boats that ferry passengers from the UAE and Yemen to Mumbai.

Get around
Getting around generally isn't a problem, as the transportation network is extensive.

By train
There are good connections available by train. Mumbai is a hub for trains to all major cities. The Konkan Railway provides a picturesque route through the Western Ghats.

By road
The national highway network is quite well maintained in Western India. The Mumbai–Delhi leg of the Golden Quadrilateral provides excellent connectivity between Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Bus services are very frequent, particularly in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Online booking is possible, and there is no surcharge. They serve cities in Western India including Ahmedabad, Goa, Kolhapur, Mumbai, Nashik, Pune, Shirdi, Surat and Vadodara.

Oneway cab is a cab service available in the western region.

By plane
Western India is a large region, so you might want to fly long distances. Even within Western India, flights may well be over an hour long, the Pune-Ahmedabad flight takes one and a half hours. You have to check in an hour and a half in advance. There are numerous airlines serving Western India, for a comprehensive list see India. The following airports are used for commercial purposes, there are numerous other small airfields that serve as training centers.

 * Maharashtra — Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, Nashik, Aurangabad and Nagpur
 * Gujarat — Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Rajkot,Surat, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Bhuj, Bhavnagar and Diu
 * Goa — Vasco da Gama Candolim Goa.jpg]]
 * Rajasthan — Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer

See and do
There is plenty to see in Western India, which makes it a particularly touristy area.

Forts and palaces
The spectacular forts of Rajasthan were built as unforgiving defensive citadels, but by the mid-16th century luxurious palaces, pleasure pavilions and gardens were added, displaying Mughal-inspired features. In the early 20th century there was another spate of palace buildings in Rajasthan and Gujarat. As a result of increasing contact with the British Raj, a marked European influence in both architecture and décor is clearly visible in these palaces.

Hill forts such as the ones in Chittorgarh and Jodhpur are the most impregnable examples of Rajasthani forts. The forts at Jaisalmer, on the other hand, lie amidst the sand dunes of the Thar Desert. Bharatpur's Lohagarh fort used thick mud walls for protection. The Neemrana Fort Palace, now a hotel is another architectural wonder with brilliantly designed balconies and lush green patches.

Lalgarh Palace in Bikaner was built in 1902 and is a wonderful example of Indo-European architecture. The unique blend of both styles is reflected in the banquet halls and old-fashioned billiard rooms. The Wankaner Palace is crowned with Italianate pillars and Gothic arches. The cities of Jaipur and Udaipur have the best palaces.

Wildlife

Western India has a variety of geography, ranging from the deserts of Rajasthan and Kutch-Gujarat to the long coast of Gujarat, Maharastra and Goa. There are some of the oldest forests of the Western Ghats and grasslands in Saurashtra-Gujarat and part of Maharashtra.

Sariska National Park and Ranthambore National Park are both home to tigers. However, the chances of spotting them are low (especially at Sariska since there are barely a handful left), unless you decide to spend a week or more at these places. The Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary on the outskirts of Bharatpur is a and is home to over 275 species of migrant birds. Don't expect miles and miles of forest green in these sanctuaries, most of the landscape is dry and slightly rocky scrubland.

Gir Forest National Park in Gujarat is the only place where you can find Asiatic Lions and their population is on the rise. Some other attractions for wildlife enthusiasts are Blackbuck National Park, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Wild Ass National Park in Kutch and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. There are many wildlife sanctuaries where approved campsites are available. Facilities at these campsites can vary widely and lesser-known sanctuaries have very basic camping facilities.

Museums
Mumbai, Jaipur and Pune house a number of good museums. See the city pages for more information. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya and the National War Museum are perhaps the most well-known.

Eat
You will find some great cuisine groups in the region. Gujarati cuisine is mostly vegetarian, sweet, and makes heavy use of milk products. Gujaratis make some of the best snack items such as the Dhokla and the Muthia. Rajasthani cuisine is similar to Gujarati, but somewhat spicier. Maharashtra and Goa are famous for their seafood.

Thalis
If you order a thali (lit: "platter"), you will get a complete meal arranged on your plate, with a roti or chappati, rice and many different varieties of curries and curd. Ordering a thali is a popular option when you are hungry and in a hurry as it will usually be served blazingly fast. Most mid-level restaurants will have a thali on the menu, at least during lunch hours. Occasionally, they will be "unlimited", which means that some of the items are all-you-can-eat. The waiters will actually serve them at your table. Try the Gujarati thali, with its unlimited range of vegetarian dishes, or the spicier Rajasthani thali. The Rajdhani chain of retsurants serve the best thalis for a mere ₹124. They have numerous locations throughout Mumbai, Vadodara and Pune.

Drink
This is a region with drastically different approaches to alcohol! Gujarat is a dry state, which means that you cannot legally purchase alcohol without a special permit. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, a union territory directly administered by the central government, has taken full advantage of Gujarat's prohibition by setting extremely low taxes on alcohol and as a result is a popular destination for Gujarati alcohol tourism. Goa has an extremely liberal attitude to drinking and feni, a wine made of cashew is a popular drink there. Maharashtra is fast becoming a wine-producing region and the Sula wines are beginning to make a mark internationally.

Bhang, a form of cannabis is available at government-recognized shops and is socially accepted in Rajasthan.

Cafe Coffee Day and Barista have coffee stores in Mumbai, Pune, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Nashik, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Surat. Fresh juice is available off the sidewalk for nominal prices, usually ₹15-₹20 a glass.

This region has tea-loving culture. Any time is good for offering tea. Tea here comes with milk (cream) and sugar unless you specify otherwise.

Stay safe
Unlike the plains, Western India has a low crime-rate. Pickpockets are known to operate in Pune and Mumbai. Keep your money, passport and credit card safely in your wallet. The National Toll-free Police Helpline is 100.

Rajasthan has plenty of persistent touts. Just ignore them and walk on. Hotel scams are not uncommon and booking a room in advance is highly recommended.

title: Western India


text:
Western Inner Mongolia

Western Inner Mongolia is in China.

Cities

 * (巴彦浩特; Bāyànhàotè)
 * (包头; Bāotóu)
 * (巴彦淖尔; Bāyànnào'ěr)
 * (东胜; Dōngshèng)
 * (呼和浩特; Hūhéhàotè)
 * (乌海; Wūhǎi)

Get in

 * Hohhot Baita International Airport
 * Baotou Donghe Airport
 * Ordos Ejin Horo Airport
 * Wuhai Airport
 * Alxa Left Banner Bayanhot Airport

title: Western Inner Mongolia


text:
Western Iowa

Western Iowa is in the United States of America.

Understand
This region includes the counties of Lyon, Osceola, Dickinson, Emmet, Sioux, O'Brien, Clay, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Cherokee, Buena Vista, Pocahontas, Woodbury, Ida, Sac, Monona, and Crawford.

This area is largely rural, except for the area around Sioux City on the western edge of the region, in Woodbury and Plymouth counties (not Sioux County).

Get in
Interstate 29 runs along the western edge of the state, and US highway 20 connects Sioux City, which is on the western edge of this region, to Fort Dodge in North Central Iowa.

Do

 * - located in Arnolds Park
 * - located in Arnolds Park

title: Western Iowa


text:
Western Iran

Western Iran is a large section of the country, to the west of Iranian cities like Tehran and Qom. Most of the region is co-located with Zagros Mountains starting from Turkey and Iran and ending in Persian Gulf.

Provinces

 * Central Western Iran:
 * Southwestern Iran:
 * Central Western Iran:
 * Southwestern Iran:
 * Southwestern Iran:
 * Southwestern Iran:
 * Southwestern Iran:
 * Southwestern Iran:
 * Southwestern Iran:
 * Southwestern Iran:

Cities

 * — a city with a history dating back to the Achaemenid period, on the banks of the Karoun River
 * — an industrial city with a number of historical sites and museums
 * — many historical sites and monuments are located in and around the city
 * — one of the oldest cities in Western Iran
 * — a largely Kurdish city with many traditional buildings
 * — its climate is mild and it has many natural and historical sights
 * — provincial capital with a tall citadel called Falak-ol-Aflak (the Heaven of Heavens), a relic of the Sassanid era, now a museum
 * — a base for visiting the mountains of Alborz or the remains of Hasan-e-Sabah's castle Alamut
 * — its old bazaar is noted as a place to buy Kurdish handicrafts
 * Seqqez - the city has a history dating back to the seventh millennium BC, and it is famous for its art and culture
 * — an industrial city in the Zagros Mountains

Other destinations

 * - castle of legendary Assassins . Headseat of State of Assassins.

Understand
Many Iranian ethnic minorities, such as Kurds, Lors and Bakhtiaris, live in Western provinces of Iran.

Talk
The official language is Persian. Minority languages such as Kurdish, Luri and Laki are frequently used. Khuzestan Province is home to an Arab minority who speak the Iraqi dialect of Arabic.

Get in
Ahvaz and Kermanshah have international airports with flights to the Persian Gulf countries and Iraq. Other provincial capitals have airports with domestic flights mostly to Tehran and Mashhad. To go to most cities of the region, you can use buses from Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz and other major Iranian cities.

The national railway connects Theran to Persian Gulf and is mostly preferred by travellers to Khuzestan.

The Persian Gulf Highway connects Markazi, Lorestan and Khuzestan provinces to Tehran. Hamedan and Kermanshah can be accessed through this road or through Tehran - Saveh Freeway.

See

 * Gahar Lake in Oshtorankuh Mountain in Lorestan.
 * Susa, one of the oldest cities of Iran in Khuzestan
 * Ali Sadr Cave in Hamadan Province

title: Western Iran


text:
Western Kansas

Western Kansas is flat, dry, and very rural - in other words, this is what most people think of when they think of Kansas.

Cities

 * - seat of Thomas County and home to Colby Community College
 * - famous cowboy town of the old wild west.
 * - seat of Sherman County, in the Mountain Time Zone.
 * - largest city in the region, home to Fort Hays State University and the Sternberg Museum of Natural History
 * - home to the world's largest prairie dog
 * - gateway to Castle Rock
 * - Nestled along the scenic Solomon River Valley on the eastern edge of the Great Plains. Stockton is the county seat of Rooks County.
 * - Christmas City of the High Plains
 * - gateway to Castle Rock
 * - Nestled along the scenic Solomon River Valley on the eastern edge of the Great Plains. Stockton is the county seat of Rooks County.
 * - Christmas City of the High Plains

Understand
Western Kansas may seem dull, but it contains a great deal of pioneer history and small-town oddities.

When visiting this region, it's important to remember which time zone you are in. Four counties in Western Kansas (Greeley, Hamilton, Wallace, and Sherman) are located in the Mountain Time Zone, while the remainder of the state is the Central Time Zone.

Talk
The prevalent Kansas accent is that of the Midlands, Kansas itself is split phonologically between the Northern and Southern Midlands accents (split accordingly into the northern and Southern halves of the state). However, in the extreme Western third of the state it is common to hear a pronounced Western or Mountain West regional accent.

By car
Interstate 70 runs east-west through the northern half of this region. Via I-70, western Kansas is roughly four hours drive from Denver or five hours from Kansas City.

I-170 runs through Colby, Goodland, Hays, Quinter, and WaKeeney.

By plane

 * Wichita Mid-Continent Airport is roughly three hours drive from Hays, the easternmost city in the region. Most small cities in the region, including Hays, Goodland , Garden City , Dodge Ciy , and Liberal , offer commuter service to Denver.

Get around
Driving is the best way to get around in this region. Be sure to get off the interstate and take the back roads; you never know what you may find.

See

 * Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City The Boot Hill Museum contains a reconstruction of 1876 Dodge City and Boot Hill Cemetery, so named because most of the deceased were buried with their boots on.
 * Christmas Tree Lighting In WaKeeney, known as "Christmas City of the High Plains", one can find Christmas decorations in WaKeeney even in summer.
 * Frank Walker Museum in Stockton. Features one of the largest displays of dolls in the area. Lorenzo Fuller was one of Rooks County's more famous residents. Other displays at the museum include items from a one room schoolhouse, local history and records on obituaries, genealogy, newspapers, yearbooks, land and schools.
 * High Plains Museum in Goodland has a full-size replica of America's first helicopter, and contains exhibits on the colorful early history of Sherman County (of which Goodland is the seat), railroads, telegraphs, and the Dust Bowl.
 * Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal is the fifth-largest air museum in America. Contains over 100 aircraft from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, as well as helicopters and general aviation aircraft.
 * Prairie Museum of Art and History in Colby. The crown jewel of this museum is the Kuska Collection, which consists of furnishings, silver, glass, ceramics, and 2,000 rare dolls. Also the biggest barn in Kansas, a furnished sod house, church, one-room school, and 1930s farmstead.
 * Sandsage Bison Range in Garden City. Wildlife area with over 100 bison.
 * Sternberg Museum of Natural History Located on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays with exhibits on dinosaurs, Cretaceous sea creatures, fossils, and fossil preparation.
 * Monolithic Dome Schools in Leoti. These buildings are proof, that monolithic dome buildings can have a vintage style.

Do

 * Bazaar Day in Liberal. Third Thursday in July. Local businesses offer discounts of up to 75% off.
 * Beef Empire Days in Garden City. Beef Empire Days are held around the first week of June. Activities include a steak cookout, tennis tournament, horse shoe tournament, 3 on 3 basketball tournament, softball tournament, and a parade.
 * Chili Cook-Off in Liberal. Occurs every year in September, and in addition to the cooking contest, it features a carnival.
 * Dodge City Days in Dodge City. Dodge City Days are usually in the first week of August.
 * Rooks County Free Fair in Stockton. In early to mid August and features Motorcycle and IMCA Sanctioned Car races, demolition derby, lots and lots of food, rides, and fun capped off with a headline performance. In 2007, Country Music Stars Jack Ingram and Taylor Swift performed.
 * Wild West Festival in Hays. The Wild West Festival around July 4.  Events include a baseball tournament, a carnival, a parade, an art exhibition, and a fireworks display, along with numerous other activities.

Stay safe
Like the rest of Kansas, this is Tornado Alley. If you plan to visit Western Kansas, it would be a good idea to learn about Tornado safety.

title: Western Kansas


text:
Western Karadeniz

Extending for about 500 km along the Turkish Black Sea coast, Western Karadeniz (Turkish: Batı Karadeniz) is a region of remote and rugged shores backed by lush and hazy mountains, with a strip of century-old industrial and mining heritage inbetween. The main drawcards are the old towns all over the region up the mountain down the shore, ranging from run-down and modest to the perfectly renovated and up and ready for tourism, and the pristine, scenic mountain lakes.

Cities

 * — a coastal town with a Genoese citadel
 * — a beautiful seaside resort with a nice beach, charming vistas, and great fish restaurants
 * — a city renowned for its chefs, it is a hub for visiting the natural and historic attractions in the surrounding area
 * — an inland town with a hilltop fortress
 * — a riverside city with a pleasant historic core
 * is the regional highlight, with lovely Ottoman houses and preserved streets.
 * , birthplace of Diogenes, is an ancient port city on the north tip of Anatolia.
 * is a dreary post-industrial city is a former coal-mining area.

Other destinations

 * is a mountain lake near the Istanbul–Ankara motorway with some well-established tourism infrastructure, offering hiking and horseback riding along its trails
 * means "seven lakes" — they're in a forested national park, especially scenic in autumn.
 * is a winter sports resort in lush spruce forests.

Understand
Except for the UNESCO-listed Ottoman old town of Safranbolu, Western Karadeniz often goes unexplored by travellers, and for most, it is simply a line of blurry mountain and forest images on the other side of the window when transiting between Istanbul and destinations east, including Ankara. This is quite understandable, given that those that want to check out a slice of Turkey's north usually opt for the better known (and perhaps, more "exotic") Eastern Karadeniz, and the beachgoers simply prefer the warmer waters (and the sunnier climate) of the Aegean and the Mediterranean. However, give Western Karadeniz a chance (even if that means a short break on your long journey across the country), and you are unlikely to regret it.

Bordered by the Marmara Region to the west, Central Anatolia to the south, and Central Karadeniz to the east, Western Karadeniz largely matches with the ancient region of Paphlagonia.

Get in

It's fairly easy to get in the westernmost sections of the region (around Düzce and Bolu) as they lie on the main motorway  between Istanbul and Ankara, the largest Turkish cities. Getting into most other parts of the coastline involves quitting this motorway at Düzce and then heading northwards to Akçakoca, where the highway meets the coastal road.

Buses to the regional cities and some of the towns can be found from the major cities of Turkey.

The region's rail connection is limited to a single line, which links Zonguldak and a number of towns along its route (most notably Karabük) with Ankara. While the trains are infrequent and take a lot of time to cover the distance, the scenery along the route is of epic proportions.

title: Western Karadeniz


text:
Western Kenya

Western Kenya is a region of Kenya and includes Nyanza and Western provinces of the same name.

Cities

 * - the third largest city in Kenya, and made the first Millennium city in the World by the UN. It is known for its ownership of the second largest lake in the world - Lake Victoria and is mainly made up of the Luo tribe.
 * — the main town of the Maragoli people
 * - the third largest city in Kenya, and made the first Millennium city in the World by the UN. It is known for its ownership of the second largest lake in the world - Lake Victoria and is mainly made up of the Luo tribe.
 * — the main town of the Maragoli people
 * - the third largest city in Kenya, and made the first Millennium city in the World by the UN. It is known for its ownership of the second largest lake in the world - Lake Victoria and is mainly made up of the Luo tribe.
 * — the main town of the Maragoli people
 * — the main town of the Maragoli people
 * — the main town of the Maragoli people
 * — the main town of the Maragoli people
 * — the main town of the Maragoli people

Other destinations

 * — a world heritage site outside Migori in the southwestern corner of Kenya. This is a well-preserved dry-stone walled settlement built in the 16th century.
 * — a world heritage site outside Migori in the southwestern corner of Kenya. This is a well-preserved dry-stone walled settlement built in the 16th century.
 * — a world heritage site outside Migori in the southwestern corner of Kenya. This is a well-preserved dry-stone walled settlement built in the 16th century.

Get around
The old metre gauge rail network is under rehabilitation. The government intends to bring back passenger trains from Nairobi to Kisumu and Eldoret, with a possible start of trains in late 2021 or early 2022. Travel times is expected to the quite slow as the old colonial rail network meanders through the landscape.

There are passenger ferries between Kisumu and ports in Uganda and Tanzania, schedules and bookings are available at the port or local shipping agencies. The main route is between Kisumu and Mwanza in Tanzania.

title: Western Kenya


text:
Western North Macedonia

A land of scenic mountains, lakes, forests, and fields sandwiched between the Povardarie region and Albania, Western North Macedonia is where a casual traveller will likely spend most of their time in North Macedonia as it houses most of the attractions that North Macedonia is known for.

Cities

 * (Битола) — one of the most European-flavoured cities in the country, Bitola is known for its colourful neo-classical architecture and the Ancient Macedon ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis nearby
 * (Дебар)
 * (Демир Хисар)
 * (Гостивар)
 * (Кичево, Kichevo)
 * (Крушево, Krushevo) — a museum-city nestled high up in the mountains of southwestern North Macedonia; it is one of the most historically significant destinations in the country as it was the site of a revolt against the Ottoman Empire; also home to great skiing
 * (Македонски Брод) — situated in a historic region home to Macedonia's largest caves
 * (Охрид) — with ancient churches and flower-filled balconies in the hillside old city, and beach life down below on the lake coast, this is no doubt the "Macedonian Riviera"
 * (Ресен) — home to Saraj Castle built in the beginning of the 20th century
 * (Прилеп) — tobacco fields, medieval monasteries, and strange rocks
 * (Струга) — on the northern shore of the lake, Struga is a smaller, quieter, cheaper, but less fun alternative to Ohrid
 * (Тетово) — unofficial capital of the Albanians of North Macedonia, Tetovo is the site of the one of the most distinctive mosques in the world, the Painted Mosque
 * (Вевчани, Vevchani)

Other destinations

 * (Брајчино) — picturesque village in the mountains of Western North Macedonia, just off the eastern shore of Lake Prespa.
 * (Брајчино) — picturesque village in the mountains of Western North Macedonia, just off the eastern shore of Lake Prespa.
 * (Брајчино) — picturesque village in the mountains of Western North Macedonia, just off the eastern shore of Lake Prespa.
 * (Брајчино) — picturesque village in the mountains of Western North Macedonia, just off the eastern shore of Lake Prespa.

Understand
Escape Skopje past the mountains towards west, and one of the first thing you notice in the landscape are the red Albanian flags of the double-headed eagle, small and huge, flying everywhere: houses, utility posts, gas stations. If it's summer, you can also see long queues of cars celebrating a wedding, again flying the eagle banners. Don't worry—you have not crossed unknowingly into Albania, this region is where the Albanians of North Macedonia mainly live. They seem to be a pretty nationalistic community, and the ethnic identities play an important role in daily lives in this country.

Then move towards the mountains to south, where the ancients named "the land of the lynx", and south of Kičevo, the minarets give way for the belfries and huge hilltop crosses, and the Albanian banners for the flag of the Macedonian sun. With a small chapel clinging to the mountainsides now and then, the lush scenery on the other side of the window keeps going like this, until you reach the territory of multiculturalism back in Ohrid.

Get in
Buses from Skopje depart for most, if not all, of the towns in Western North Macedonia. Some of them have a train service, too, with one particular exception being Ohrid.

 * Eurobus - international coach operator that has almost daily buses from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Slovenia. Stops in the major cities Skopje, Tetovo, Ohrid. Prices from €70.

Get around
Again, buses will be your most likely mode of transportation in the region. Those preferring to self-drive have little to worry about in the flatlands of the north, where a motorway/toll-road forms the backbone of the local traffic between Skopje, Tetovo, and Gostivar. However, in the mountainous realm south of Gostivar, you are back into the narrow Yugoslav-era roads full of sharp turns, yet no signs warning the drivers against them—late night driving is best left to the locals.

Go next

 * Skopje, the national capital, and the rest of the Vardar Region lies to east
 * Albania is easily accessible with five border crossings
 * Greece in the south has no public transport connection with the region but you can haggle with a taxi driver in Bitola to take you to the border post
 * Kosovo is also within reach, thanks to buses from Tetovo

title: Western North Macedonia


text:
Western Madhya Pradesh

Western Madhya Pradesh is a region of India that consists of the divisions of Indore and Ujjain.

Cities

 * —

 * —

 * — Patalpani waterfall

 * —

 * —

 * —

 * —

 * —

 * —

 * — known for its sev snacks, Jain temple and as a railway junction between Delhi and Mumbai

 * —

Get in

 * Devi Ahilyabai Holkar National Airport

title: Western Madhya Pradesh


text:
South Maharashtra

South Maharashtra is a region of Maharashtra, India.

Cities

 * —

 * —

 * —

 * —

 * —

Other destinations

 * — village close to Bison wildlife sanctuary

 * — a drought-prone and semi-arid wildlife sanctuary for the great Indian bustard

Eat and drink
Vegetarian food is freshly prepared at local restaurants.

Stay safe
Do not drive after consuming alcohol. During the monsoon river, Krishna and its tributaries may flood the area. Carry torch (flashlight), Water, Whistle, Eatables and First aid box while entering forest areas BSNL mobile signals are received here. Medical facilities are poor in rural areas.

title: South Maharashtra


text:
Western Maryland

Western Maryland traditionally consists of Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties, but often includes Frederick County and rarely, Carroll County.

Cities

 * — a little town home to the original Washington Monument!
 * — Western Maryland's second-largest city.
 * — charming college town.
 * — a tiny historic village with an inn operated continuously for nearly 200 years, near Casselman River Bridge State Park.
 * — Western Maryland's largest city.
 * — the westernmost town in Maryland, a small village of some 2,000 people, with a charming historic main street.
 * — home to Antietam National Battlefield.

Understand
Western Maryland, also known as the state's panhandle, is the most remote section of Maryland, and most popular among tourists for its mountainous natural beauty. Culturally, if the Eastern Shore is Southern, and Central Maryland more of a transition zone, Western Maryland is decidedly Appalachian, with a strong economic history of mining. The region contains some of the country's earliest federal infrastructure projects, including the National Road, which was used by thousands of pioneers heading west, the C&O Canal, and the B&O Railway. During the Civil War, Western Maryland saw fierce fighting, including the 1862 Battle of Antietam, a turning point for the Union.

By air
Hagerstown is home to the one small regional airport with flights from BWI, but a car is a far, far more common mode of transport, especially as you will need one once you arrive!

By train
Amtrak has daily trains to Hagerstown and Cumberland from Washington, D.C. The MARC Brunswick Line from Washington, D.C. is nice and cheap, but will only take you as far as Brunswick in Frederick County. It only runs on the weekdays, catering to commuters.

By car
To get around much anywhere in Western Maryland, you will need a car, and a car is a fine way to arrive. I-68 is the main east-west highway, running from Hagerstown and the junction with I-70 in the east (which is the highway in from Baltimore and Washington, D.C.) and from Morgantown, West Virginia, in the west. North-south routes are mostly smaller, although from Hagerstown, you can take I-70 to Pittsburgh or I-81 towards Harrisburg. US-220 connects Cumberland with I-70 in the north towards Pittsburgh, and also leads south through some incredibly beautiful and remote landscapes in West Virginia.

Get around

 * I-68 & I-70 run through Western Maryland. Going eastward, I-68 merges with I-70 near Hancock in Washington County.

See
Aside from all the beautiful scenery, Western Maryland is certainly not a big sightseeing destination. Antietam National Battlefield, site of the bloodiest battle in Civil War History, is likely the most visited traditional "attraction." Cumberland's historic downtown is also a quite beautiful place for a walk, where you can also pick up the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, which will lazily take you through the mountains to Frostburg, a charming old town in its own right. For something a bit more offbeat, you'll see Noah's Ark being rebuilt along I-68 between Cumberland and Frostburg. The beautiful Crystal Grottoes Caverns and the original Washington Monument at Boonsboro are another good bet for a half day activity, and are within an easy drive of Antietam.

Do
Outdoor activities are plentiful in this beautiful and sparsely-populated region. The most famous destinations are, naturally, Deep Creek Lake and the Appalachian Trail. The former is an artificial lake in the mountains, and a popular holiday spot among Marylanders, with nearby skiing, fishing, boating, etc. The Appalachian Trail in Maryland is short, as it cuts across a very narrow section of the panhandle, but it's home to Annapolis Rock in the north--a great place for rock climbing, hang gliding, or just watching the sunset. Swallow Falls State Park is arguably the most beautiful park in Western Maryland, and a great place for hiking, camping, and of course seeing the various waterfalls!

Eat
No culinary specialties in this part of the state, and actually, there are not too many restaurants either! The best range of options will be found in the Deep Creek Lake area, along with the two main cities of Hagerstown and Cumberland. Frostburg also has a decent enough selection to feed the university crowd.

Stay safe
The four westernmost counties in Maryland have a sizable breeding population of black bears. Bear attacks are very rare in Maryland, but it's nevertheless important to dispose of your trash and food scraps properly, keep your dogs leashed, and keep an eye out for the critters, particularly in the countryside.

Go next

 * Capital Region (Maryland)
 * Pennsylvania
 * West Virginia

title: Western Maryland


text:
Western Mongolia

Western Mongolia is a region in Mongolia covering the provinces (or Aimags) of Bayan-Ölgii, Hovd, Uvs, and Zavkhan. It is the most remote region of the country with paved roads from the capital, Ulaanbaatar, ending 320 km (200 miles) before reaching the eastern most point of Zavkhan. It is also the most ethnically diverse, mountainous, and scenic region of Mongolia, with thousands of years of history. The region is home to the Kazakhs, a Muslim tribe from near the Caspian Sea, and Oirats, or western Mongols, which can be divided into 10 different tribes, as well as Khalkhs, or eastern Mongols. In addition to the ethnic diversity, the region is home to the Altai Mountain Range, with the highest peaks in Mongolia, Lake Uvs, a large saltwater lake, and many smaller lakes, mountains, rivers, forests, and steppe. Spread throughout the region are countless archeological sites with petroglyphs, cave paintings, standing stone monuments, monasteries, and ancient forts that date back as far as 10,000 years.

Cities

 * in Hovd Aimag has a Manchu Fort and cave drawings outside the city. The most diverse city in Mongolia with 10 tribes.
 * is the center of Kazakh culture in Mongolia, and starting place to see eagle hunters, Turkic Stone Men, petroglyphs, and the national parks.
 * home to Tuvans and Dorvod tribes, near the large salty Uvs Lake.
 * capital of Zavkhan, one of 3 permanent settlements in Mongolia to predate the 20th century.

Other destinations

 * home of 'Five Saints' Mountains and Kazakh Eagle Hunters. Has a World Heritage Site covering ancient cave images.
 * has the 2nd highest mountain in Mongolia and plenty of wildlife.

Understand
Western region of Mongolia has for much of its history been on the boundary between civilizations, between Chinese dominated Asian culture to the east and European cultures to the west divided by the Altai mountains and the Tibetan plateau to the south with only a narrow gap just south of what is today Mongolia. This location near the crossroad of civilization has left the landscape littered with history of many groups either originating in these mountain valleys or passing through on their way to conquest. Over the last 10,000 years, the Blue Turks, Scythians, Tuvans, Hun, Mongols, Uighurs, and Kazakhs all spread out from or through the region to take over more settled peoples. It wasn't until the 1930s that all of the Altai mountains was firmly controlled with fixed borders by outside powers, and even then only after many years of bloody resistance. This legacy of independence can still be seen in the customs of the diverse population which can be broadly divided into Kazakhs, Tuvans, Khalkh Mongols, and Oirat Mongols (which can be divided into roughly 10 distinct tribes). These groups have adapted their cultures to handle the difficulties of living in this cold, dry, mountainous place. This region with the Altai Mountains in the west, Gobi Desert in the east and south, the Great Mongolian Lakes depression in the north and center, and forests, steppe, and deserts mixed throughout support some rare and spectacular wildlife. Large and endangered animals call the region home including snow leopards, the Govi Bear, Argali sheep, ibex, antelope, gazelle, falcons, golden eagles, wolves, foxes, and many more. Many more birds use the many lakes as rest stops on their annual migration between Siberia and Southeast Asia.

Talk
Mongolian is the official language and is spoken by almost everyone in the region, although Kazakh is the native language of most of Bayan-Ölgii and some in Hovd. In the countryside of Bayan-Ölgii, particularly near Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, Kazakh is the primary language and some people will have only limited knowledge of Mongolian (This can be a problem with Mongolian tour guides). Russian can be used occasionally among middle-aged and older people, while English is only spoken by very few people.

Get in
Flights for Ulaanbaatar to airports in Ölgii, Hovd , Ulaangom , and Uliastai (at Donoi Airport ) daily or several times a week on AeroMongolia or Hunnu Air. There is also a flight to Tsontsengel in Zavkhan on Sky Horse Aviation. Direct buses from the Dragon Center in Ulaanbaatar to each Aimag Center also available daily. These buses take 36 hours to Ölgii and 30 to Hovd or Ulaangom under ideal conditions (can be much longer). It is sometimes possible to get a shared jeep ride between Aimag Centers like Altai (Govi-Altai) to Hovd or Tsetserleg to Ulaangom or Uliastai via Tosontsengel village in the northeast corner of Zavkhan.

Get around
It is often easier to get into the region than to get around it. While every provincial capital has direct flights and nonstop bus route connecting to the capital, transportation between provinces usually means spending several hours stuffed like a sardine inside an overcrowded Russian jeep or van. There is regular 'shared jeep' transit to the villages from the capitals, and between some, but not all neighboring provinces. Shared jeeps meet in the 'black market' in most cities and mostly leave in the afternoon. Drivers going between cities and surrounding villages on regular routes mostly live in the village and leave the village in the morning and return in the afternoon. If you are planning on hitchhiking or taking public transit across the region, plan on going through Hovd instead of Ulaangom to get to Bayan-Ölgii, as Hovd serves as the business and political center of the west.

See
The diversity of people, history, landscapes, and animals makes this remote region worth the effort to visit. The archeological history of the region dates back several thousand years, with petroglyphs, Turkic standing stone statues, various tombs, monuments, and artifacts spread throughout the deserts, mountain passes, steppe, and forests of the area. The descendents of these ancient artisans today still herd animals in a semi-nomadic lifestyle that is similar to the times of Genghis Khan with small variations depending on which of the roughly 12 tribes and nationalities live here. Though often much harder to find than the cave drawings or nomadic ger-dwellers, many rare and endangered animals inhabit the region including the snow leopard, Argali sheep, ibex, Przewalski horse, and more common animals like the grey wolf, Corsac fox, golden eagle, lynx, brown bear, and many smaller animals.

Landscape

 * Altai Mountains forms border between China and the provinces of Bayan-Ölgii and Hovd, as well as covers most of both provinces, while the Tannu Ola Range forms the border between Russia and Uvs province, and the Khangai Mountains cover most of eastern Zavkhan. Collectively, these mountains completely surround Western Mongolia and create some of the most stunning scenery, including the 8 highest mountains in Mongolia and 12 of the top 14 highest. The highest peak, Tavan Bogd, is high and straddles the border with China and Russia.
 * Rivers and Lakes of Western Mongolia collectively form what is known as the Great Lakes Depression, a self-contained watershed that drains into several large saltwater and freshwater lakes mostly in Hovd and Uvs provinces. The largest lake is the saline Uvs Lake near Ulaangom. Other large lakes are the Khyargas Lake also in Uvs, and the interconnected Dorgon, Khargas, Khar, and Airag lakes just east of Hovd which form the Khar Us Nuur National Park. These lakes are supplied by the Khovd River, Zavkhan Gol, and Tesiin Gol. The Khovd River flows from Tavan Bogd Mountain in the Altai Mountains to Khar-Us Lake, the Zavkhan Gol flows from the Khangai Mountains to the Khyargas Lake, while the Tesiin Gol flows from the Tannu Ola Mountains to Uvs Lake. There are several waterfalls and glaciers near the headwaters of each of the rivers and various tributaries. These rivers and lakes support numerous species of birds and several species of fish. The lakes are a major stopping place for many endangered migratory birds.

Archeology

 * Petroglyphs and cave drawings dating back some 15,000 years are found in abundance all over the Altai mountain region. With the region serving as a crossroads of many ancient nomadic civilizations, the images found on rocks and inside caves trace the evolution of pre-historic man as he develops tools, learns to use horses, domesticates livestock, and becomes fierce steppe warriors. Especially good collections of petroglyphs (means 'etched in stone') are inside Altai Tavan Bogd National Park and just outside of Hovd. These petroglyphs start with ancient Turkic tribes hunting mammoths, elephants, and deer with spears to drawings of the horse-bound raiders of the Mongol Empire several thousand years later. In between are images of the Scythians, Huns, Tuvans, and Uighurs, which spread out from these mountain passes, before occupying parts of Europe, the middle east, India, and China.
 * Standing Stones made by ancient Turks, Tuvans, and possibly other groups mark the landscape of mountain valleys across western Mongolia. The most prevalent form of stone monolith is the Turkic Stone Men, which range in size from to over  in height and weighing several hundred pounds with face, hands, tools, and other features carved into the rock. The Flying Deer Stones, where the deer appear to be flying, are believed to be made by reindeer-herding Tuvan tribes, and are highly regarded by archeologists. These stones and other blank monoliths usually are part of massive stone complexes that served as either burial mounds or shamanistic temples. An excavation at one burial mound in Bayan-Olgii turned a complete mummified remains of a Scythian warrior and horse in full battle armor in 2006. All together, there are over 1,000 standing stones, including at least 50 deer stones in the Altai range of western Mongolia.
 * Though the local nomadic tribes didn't start building permanent Historic Structures in great quantities until very recently, several Buddhist monasteries and Manchu forts date back a few hundred years. The mud brick walls on Manchu forts still stand outside of Hovd and Uliastai, which served as provincial capitals of western parts of Outer Mongolia up until the Revolution of 1911, and among the only settlements in Mongolia to developed before the 1930s. These two cities also have ruins of Buddhist temples and other historical structures. Most other buildings in the region have been built by the communist government or under democratic rule including many mosques and Buddhist temples and monasteries to replace those destroyed in the anti-religious purges of the 1930s. [[image:Sangiin Kerem Kobdo.jpg|thumb|Munchu Fort in Hovd]]

Events and holidays
Every city and town hosts an annual Naadam Festival each summer that features the '3 Manly Sports' of wrestling, horse racing, and archery. Though the dates vary, cities usually host their Naadam during the first week of July, and village (or soum) Naadams are either before or after and tend to be set a week or 2 in advance. Villages also usually skip the archery portion due to lack of competitors, except in Uriankhai villages in Hovd and Bayan-Ölgii. The horse races are long races of up to 30 km featuring child jockeys as young as 8 in what appears to be a disorganized free for all.

 * Eagle Festivals in Bayan-Ölgii are the most popular tourist events in the region. The main Golden Eagle Festival in Ölgii in early October features as many as 70 golden eagles and their Kazakh masters in addition to many other entertaining activities like Kokpar (a form of tug-of-war over a goat skin while on horseback), and Kyz Kuar (a horse race between a man and woman, where the man tries to hold the reins of the woman's horse while she whips him). Another smaller eagle festival is just outside Ölgii on the last weekend in September.
 * Nauryz on March 22nd is the traditional new years celebration of Kazakhs living in Hovd and Bayan-Ölgii. Usually involves visiting friends and family over multiple days to eat Nauryz Koje soup, meats, and sweets. In Ölgii there is a parade, horse races, and festival on the 22nd.

Cultural experiences
Being the home to so many different Mongol tribes and the Kazakhs, with a different religion, language, and customs. Western Mongolia provides a chance to see many different variations of Central Asian nomads within a relatively short time. The time spent enjoying the bottomless hospitality will be the highlight of any trip.

Summer activities

 * Trekking
 * Fishing
 * Rafting
 * Mountain climbing

Winter activities

 * Eagle hunting mostly starts from first week of October to last week of March, but the best season is From mid October to end February. It is a speciality of the ethnic Kazakh community.
 * Ice fishing
 * Skiing is possible through organized tour groups at Tavan Bogd and Tsambagarav National Park. These trips are for advanced skiers only as they require climbing mountains and then skiing down. Blue Wolf Travel offers trips to both mountains in April and May when the snow is thick and fresh.

Eat
Of all the tribes living in western Mongolia, only the Kazakhs have a distinctly different style of food (at least to a more discerning observer). All the food covers the same food groups typical of Mongolia; mutton, flour, dairy, and some root vegetables. The one difference is that Kazakhs follow Islamic standards of hygiene, which means their diet differs in that meat is drained of blood, as opposed to Mongolian custom of keeping it in the meat, and food is saltier. Which will be much appreciated burst of flavor after a few weeks of eating Mongolian food. Kazakhs also serve a few different dishes in addition to Mongolian dishes like fried mutton pancakes and boiled mutton dumplings. Many of these dishes include horse meat. Kazakh food is found in Bayan-Olgii and Hovd provinces. Try to be-friend a local and go to dinner.

Even in the remote western region of Mongolia, many full-service restaurant can be found in the provincial capitals. Most are Mongolian, but there are also Korean, Turkish, Chinese, and American style restaurants. All provincial capitals and many of the larger towns will have small cafes serving greasy mutton dishes washed down with milky tea. If you wish to cook for your self instead, it is best to stock up in the provincial centers or before you go out west. Fresh fruit and vegetables can be found in the market, while canned foods, snacks, and other necessities are best to buy in the stores. If you can't find an item in the first store, try several more. No store will have everything, and each one will have something different.

title: Western Mongolia


text:
Western Myanmar

Western Myanmar is a region of Myanmar.

Cities

 * (Akyab) - the capital of Rakhine State.

Other destinations

 * - ancient ruins
 * - beach resort
 * - beach resort

Get in
The simplest way to get to the Rakhine region is to fly from Yangon to Sittwe. As with all domestic flight schedules these can be erratic so try to give yourself some extra time on either end for connections.

Thandwe Airport

Get around
Renting a private boat and guide to get up the Kaladan River to Mrauk U and points further is not too expensive and makes for a very interesting trip.

Stay safe
There is some concern about being on the Kaladan River after sunset, purportedly due to the danger of being robbed.

In 2016-17, there was a widespread campaign of murder and rape of Rohingya people, torching of their villages, and forcing them to flee from Rakhine state. As a result of this and conflict between Rohingya forces and government forces, there are travel advisories. For example:

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to Rakhine State except the southern townships (administrative areas similar to a borough or county) of Kyaukpyu, Ramree, Munaung, Toungup, Thandwe (including the tourist resort of Ngapali) and Gwa.

http://smartraveller.gov.au: Rakhine State (except resort areas at Ngapali Beach); Northern and Central Shan State, Kachin State, reconsider your need to travel

Government of Canada: Avoid non-essential travel to the following states, due to the risk of serious civil unrest:

 * Kachin State
 * Northern Shan State
 * Rakhine State, except for the tourist resort of Ngapali and travel between the resort and Thandwe airport

Safetravel (New Zealand): There is high risk to your security along the borders with Laos, Thailand, India, Bangladesh and China and it is advised against all tourist and other non-essential travel in the vicinity of these borders, including official border crossings. Military activity, ethnic militias, armed drug smugglers and the presence of landmines pose a particularly high risk to your safety.

There is high risk to your security in Kachin State (excluding Myitkyina), the northern Rakhine State areas of Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung, northern Shan State and Paletwa township in southern Chin State due to ethnic tensions and the potential for armed conflict and violent civil unrest. It is advised against all tourist and other non-essential travel to these areas.

title: Western Myanmar