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Northwestern Montana

Northwestern Montana is a mountainous region of Montana in the United States of America, best known for the sprawling Glacier National Park and the cities of Missoula and Kalispell.

Bitterroot Valley & area

 * — largest city in the region; home to the University of Montana.
 * — eastern end of the historic Lolo Trail.
 * — main town in the Bitterroot Valley.
 * — a village at the intersection of US 93 and MT 200.
 * — known for its cross-country skiing and snowmobiling trails.
 * — a small city on the Clark Fork River that is near the beautiful mountain views at Diamond Lake.
 * —a small town along spellbinding Clark Fork River with some cedar trees over 1,000 years old.

Flathead Valley

 * — base for outdoor activities at West Glacier and the Flathead Valley.
 * — resort town on Flathead Lake known for renowned artworks and cherry orchards.
 * — known as the Gateway to "Glacier National Park."
 * — a slower pace when visiting Flathead Lake.
 * — home to local shops, lodging and plenty of huckleberry treats and Montana's highest dam.
 * — a small town on the Flathead Indian Reservation.
 * — one of National Geographic's "Top 25 Ski Towns in the World."

Glacier Country

 * — a small settlement on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation just south of the Canadian border.
 * — a small settlement on the southeastern side of Glacier National Park.
 * — a small settlement on the south end of Glacier National Park.
 * — a small town on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation at the intersection US 2 and US 89.
 * — county seat for Glacier County.
 * — a small town at the eastern entrance of Glacier National Park.
 * — a small town at the western entrance of Glacier National Park.

Kootenai Valley

 * — small town near Lake Koocanusa.
 * — near the Kootenai National Forest and Kootenai River; popular with hunters.

Other destinations

 * has innumerable opportunities for hiking, fishing, boating, and camping, on a vast scale – the park is bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island.
 * The Flathead Valley contains still more outdoor activities, including Flathead Lake and two ski resorts.
 * Seeley Lake, southeast of Glacier Park, is a less-crowded alternative with more convenient access to Missoula.
 * The St. Ignatius Mission, in St. Ignatius, has historical roots extending to the 1830s, and some of the most beautiful church murals in Montana. The log cabin outside the main church has nuns' headstones worked into the floor and walls--an unusual feature in this area.
 * The Garden of One Thousand Buddhas is a stunning Tibetan Buddhist site. One thousand Buddha statues radiate in wheel spokes from a twenty-four-foot Prajnaparamita hub, in the midst of the Jocko Valley, which is, itself, no scenic slouch. The garden is located at 34765 White Coyote Road, outside of Arlee.

Understand
Northwestern Montana has long relied on its natural resources. Lumber and mining are mainstays of the economy, but those same mountains and forests now draw tourists in great numbers as well. The terrain is some of the most varied in the Mountain West, with the Bitterroot and Continental Divide branches of the Rocky Mountains flanking it on west and east, leaving a mixture of freshwater lakes, prairies, glaciers, rivers, and forests between.

Winter weather is milder than the rest of Montana, due to the shielding effect of the mountains – the average temperature typically floats between 20 and 40 degrees. Spring is rainy and unpredictable, but summer and autumn are consistently pleasant with late sunsets.

By plane
Missoula International Airport and Glacier Park International Airport  (near Kalispell) have connections throughout the western United States on several airlines. Despite the names, neither has any scheduled service to Canada.

By car
Interstate 90 passes through Missoula, connecting from Idaho on the west towards Southwestern Montana and Butte on the east. U.S. Route 12 overlaps I-90 through most of western Montana, until diverging at Garrison and continuing east to Helena. Further north, the scenic U.S. Route 2 connects Kalispell and the west entrance to Glacier Park, then skirts the southern boundary of the park as far as East Glacier before entering the plains of Central Montana.

The major north-south artery is U.S. Route 93, linking almost every city in the region and continuing to Twin Falls, Idaho. Route 93 is prone to clogging with traffic, particularly on summer weekends.

By train
Amtrak operates the Empire Builder service daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago. Stops are made at Libby, Whitefish, West Glacier, Essex (flag stop), East Glacier (seasonal – summer), Browning (seasonal – winter), and Cut Bank.

By foot
For the dedicated long-distance hiker the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (in short Continental Divide Trail) is a United States National Scenic Trail running 3,100 miles between Mexico and Canada. It follows the Continental Divide of the Americas along the Rocky Mountains and traverses five U.S. states; Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.

Get around
A car is essential for most travel through the region. Rimrock Trailways (+1 406-245-5392, +1-800-255-7655) provides scheduled bus service once daily between Whitefish and Missoula via Kalispell.

See
Within Glacier, the Going-To-The-Sun Road crosses the park from west to east, offering spectacular panoramas. At the midpoint, the Logan Pass Visitor Center is the base for a variety of short, scenic hiking trails. The park provides shuttle service from the west entrance, which is recommended for nervous drivers – for much of the westbound drive, the only thing separating the road from a cliff face is an eighteen-inch stone wall! Portions of the road stay open year-round, but the higher elevations and through route are only accessible from June through October, weather permitting.

Do
Outdoor activities galore — camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, boating, golfing, rafting, etc. Between Glacier, numerous state parks, and the private resort areas, it's almost harder to find some place where these aren't options.

The area has several major ski resorts. Whitefish Mountain and Blacktail Mountain are the largest in the Flathead Valley/Kalispell area, and the Montana Snowbowl is near Missoula. Lookout Pass straddles the Idaho — Montana state line, allowing the unusual opportunity to ski through two states on one run.

Stay safe
Visiting Northwestern Montana is a safe and rewarding experience if common sense and good judgment are followed. Unfortunately this is not always the case so please take the following guidelines to heart.

Roads

 * During the winter, smaller secondary roads are often closed entirely, and even the Interstate can shut down rapidly when the weather turns poor. Verify weather conditions and road status before setting out, and travel with emergency supplies.  Unpaved roads are typically impassable for over half the year.

Wildlife

 * Though many of the animals in the area are used to seeing humans, the wildlife is nonetheless wild and should not be fed or disturbed. Stay at least 100 m away from bears and 25 m from all other wild animals! No matter how docile they may look, bison, elk, moose, bears, and nearly all large animals can attack, and every year dozens of visitors are injured because they didn't keep a proper distance. These animals are large, wild, and potentially dangerous, so give them their space. Be especially cautious while traveling at night as animals (especially deer) are known to wander onto roadways.
 * Never feed wild animals, especially predators. There are many reasons for this, but amongst them is that animals who become habituated to being fed by humans may be considered a nuisance. Bears and predators that frequent places that humans go, and cannot be broken of the habit, are subject to being killed as a safety precaution. Indirectly, whoever feeds the animals would be responsible for their deaths.
 * Included in not feeding is proper food storage and disposal in wild areas. If you are not already familiar with proper procedures, take time to read through guidelines before you go.

Weather

 * The weather can change rapidly and with little warning. A sunny, warm summer day can quickly become a cold, rainy or even snowy experience. Hypothermia can be a concern. Be prepared for a variety of weather conditions by bringing along appropriate clothing. Lightning can and does injure and kill people in the area, so watch the sky and take shelter in a building if you hear thunder.

Hiking and camping
There's no reason to fear the mountains, as long as you approach them with proper respect and preparation. As with anywhere else, recklessness and a lack of forethought can get you into trouble, especially in Montana's vast back country.
 * Altitude sickness - Can lead to dizziness, headaches, nausea, even blackouts and pulmonary edema. Give your body a few days to adjust to the high altitudes before going full throttle with your hiking or skiing.
 * Dehydration - When you engage in strenuous outdoor activities, be sure to replenish your fluids as you go. You may be losing moisture through your mouth and nose and through sweating, but be completely unaware due to the arid mountain air. May result in dizziness, intense thirst and elevated heart and breath rates.
 * Giardia - Drinking untreated water from regional streams is not a good idea owing to Giardia parasites, but tap water is not a problem.
 * Hypothermia - Prolonged exposure to the cold can result in confusion, a slowed heart rate, lethargy, even death. Dress warmly in non cotton clothing to allow any sweat to wick away from your body and evaporate. Otherwise, it may thoroughly chill you later in the day when temperatures drop.
 * Frostbite - During periods of severe cold, your circulatory system pulls all your warming blood into the core of your body to protect your vital organs. This makes your extremities such as your ears, fingers and nose especially vulnerable. Wear a face mask, insulated gloves and other heavy gear on the worst winter days. It gets cold sitting still on those ski lifts!
 * Sunburn - Lather up with sunscreen, even if there's cloud cover. Montana's high elevation means you have less protection to the sun's powerful ultra violet rays. This can be compounded while skiing or snowboarding, when the rays are reflected off the snow and hits the underside of your jaw. Don't forget to wear UV-rated goggles or sunglasses, as well.
 * Know your 10 essentials when going on a hike, because cell phones won't always work in many rural areas, and may not be depended on in an emergency situation.

 * 1) Navigation
 * 2) Hydration and nutrition
 * 3) Pocket knife
 * 4) Sun protection
 * 5) Insulation
 * 6) Fire
 * 7) Lightning
 * 8) First Aid
 * 9) Shelter
 * 10) Whistle

Crime
Finally, with so many people visiting the area each year petty crimes are something to be vigilant against. Lock your car doors and exercise sensible precautions with valuables, especially when leaving your vehicle at trail-heads or anywhere you might be away from your vehicle for any length of time.

Go next
Glacier Park is joined across the Canadian border with Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta.

title: Northwestern Montana


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North Western Province (Sri Lanka)

North Western Sri Lanka is a province in Sri Lanka. Its name in Sinhalese is Wayamba.

Regions
The province is made up of the districts of Kurunegala and Puttalam. Its capital is Kurunegala.

Cities

 * — famous as a kitesurfing, dolphin and whales watching and scuba diving destination on a 50-km—long sand strip which is home to many fishing or agricultural villages, empty wild beaches, sand dunes, and mangroves
 * — encircled by eight very large rocks, six of which are named after the animals that they are imagined to represent
 * — tourists come to see one of the largest lagoons in the country, Wilpattu National Park, Kalpitiya, and the beaches
 * {{marker|type=city|name=Chilaw|wikidata=Q2495639}is} — an industrial and agricultural processing town with a few tourist attractions in the surrounding area

Understand
The majority of the population of Wayamba province is of Sinhalese ethnicity. There is also a substantial Sri Lankan Moor minority around Puttalam and Sri Lankan Tamils in Udappu and Munneswaram.

Fishing, prawn farming and rubber tree plantations are other prominent industries of the region.

The province is known mainly for its numerous coconut plantations.

Climate
The climate of Wayamba is tropical, with a marked dry season, and temperatures averaging between 20 °C in January to 25 °C in March. The south of the province is wetter, with almost 2000 mm of rainfall per year, but the north of the province is one of the driest regions in Sri Lanka, averaging under 1100 mm of rain in parts.

Get in
The region is served by an extensive rail and road transport system providing linkages to the major cities and ports in Sri Lanka.

By road
Some major roads include,
 * A3: Puttalam – Chilaw – Negombo - Colombo (162 km)
 * A6: Ambepussa – Kurunegala – Dambulla – Trincomalee (192 km)
 * A10: Katugastota – Kurunegala – Puttalam (125 km)
 * A12: Puttalam - Anuradhapura - Trincomalee (179 km)

By train
Railway lines:
 * Colombo, Ragama Junction, Polgahawela Junction, Kurunegala, Maho Junction, Anuradhapura. Served by the Rajarata Rajini (Queen of North Central Region).
 * Colombo, Ragama Junction, Negombo, Chilaw, Puttalam (1926). Served by the Muthu Kumari (Pearl Princess). A route of 83 miles (134 km) along the North-Western coast.

See
Archaeological sites: The Wayamba province was the seat of four medieval kingdoms of Sri Lanka between the mid-12th and mid-14th centuries, and is a treasure house of archaeology. Having been forced to move capitals due to foreign invasions, Sri Lankan kings nevertheless built magnificent citadels are Yapahuwa, Panduwasnuwara, Dambadeniya and Kurunegala. Impressive remains of those citadels, palaces, Buddhist temples and monasteries provide exciting sight seeing to the visitors.

Rock temples: Wayamba and Kurunegala are also the home for other ancient Buddhist rock temples, mostly with 1st century BCE roots, with wall and ceiling frescos, colossal Buddha images, stone inscriptions and sculptures dating from early medieval to 18th-century period.

European colonial monuments: The well-preserved Dutch Fort in Kalpitiya (Puttalam district) dating back to 1670 is an evidence of the Wayamba's European colonial period. The fort is complete with barracks, store houses and living quarters, Dutch colonial pillars and ancient tombstones. Kurunegala has many 19th-century relics of the British colonial period including the government Agent's residence and the Rajapihilla rest house.

Beaches
The sparkling blue surf of the Indian Ocean and scenic tropical lagoons which edge the western shores of the Wayamba province are glided with 240 kilometres of wide, sun drenched beaches. These beaches stretch from Waikkal at its southern end to Dutch Bay in the Puttalam district. Some of Wayamba's best resort beaches are at Marawila, Talwila, Kalpitiya and Waikkal. These beaches are often with the bonus of a lagoon or a river front and make excellent bases for stay-put beach holidays.

Some of the beach resorts also offer viewing of underwater Coral wonderlands off Kandakuliya and Karaitivu. Many fishing villages dot the coastal areas.

Festivals
The people of Wayamba celebrate many traditional festivals centred on sacred shrines of diverse faith.

All Buddhist temples celebrate the Vesak, Poson and Esela festivals commemorating the events of great importance to the Buddhists. These festivals feature colourful decorations, lanterns, illuminations and pageants where traditional dancing, drumming, costumed dignitaries and elephants are paraded. Two noteworthy colourful Buddhist processions are organised by the Wilbawa Raja Maha Viharaya (Major temple) and Athanda Raja Maha Viharaya and are paraded in the Kurunegala city. The St Anne's Roman Catholic church is located on a magnificent beach stretch in Talawila in the Puttalam district. The church draws thousands of pilgrims for its main festivals in March and July.

The Munneswaram and Udappu Hindu temples are pilgrim centres of many devotees. People gather to worship deities and seek favours. The main temple of God Shiva at Munneswaram, comprises the shrines and has been built according to traditional Hindu style. Munneswaram celebrates its major festival in August where fire-walking is practiced. Udappuwa, a sea side shrine complex of three shrines, also has a colourful festival held in the month of August.

The Ramazan, Haj and Milad-un-Nabi festivals are also celebrated by the minority Muslims of Wayamba especially at historic and famed mosques in Puttalam, Kurunegala and Chilaw. These celebrations are mainly of religious character, recitations of Koran and distribution of cooked food and sweets.

All three shrines are easily accessible from Kurunegala: Munneswaram approximately 70 km, Udappuwa 95 km and St. Anne's about 110 km respectively.

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

title: North Western Province (Sri Lanka)


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Northwestern Russia

Northwestern Russia  is a region of Russia stretching from the major population center of Leningrad Oblast on the Baltic Sea to vast, remote, and empty lands above the Arctic Circle. The Silver Ring is a tourism project to promote the cultural and historical centers of Northwestern Russia.

Cities

 * — Russia's "window to the West", the second largest city in the country, and the most touristic one. Included into 10 top European tourist cities ranking.
 * — a key northern port of Russia, cultural capital of the Russian north, and the gateway to Solovki and Nenetsia.
 * — the world-largest transpolar city with a big ice-free port (thanks to the gulf stream) and Navy surroundings.
 * , or Velikiy Novgorod — one of the oldest Russian cities, established in the 9th century, famous as the capital of the medieval Novgorod Republic, and once a part of Hansa cities union. The city has great cultural heritage and definitely worth visiting.
 * — the capital of Karelia and the gateway to Kizhi. Beautiful lakeside embankment with strange sculptures.
 * — another ancient city, the neighbour of Novgorod. Picturesque kremlin (Krom) and old city.
 * in Vologda Oblast — official residence of Father Frost (Ded Moroz), Russian equivalent of Santa Claus.
 * — once a Swedish and Finnish fortress, now this is the closest town of Leningrad Oblast on the way from Finland to Saint Petersburg. Vyborg has European look, fortress and old city are beautiful.
 * — once a Swedish and Finnish fortress, now this is the closest town of Leningrad Oblast on the way from Finland to Saint Petersburg. Vyborg has European look, fortress and old city are beautiful.

Other destinations

 * — a island in Karelia, famous for its awesome wooden architectural ensemble.
 * — the estate and museum of Alexander Pushkin, a world-known Russian poet.
 * The museum towns near Saint Petersburg:, , and , with luxury Tsar palaces and astonishing parks with fontains.
 * — monastery in Karelia, located at an island in Ladoga lake.
 * — the largest unspoiled forested area in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage site with two protected territories: Yugyd Va National Park and Pechora Ilych Nature Reserve.
 * The museum towns near Saint Petersburg:, , and , with luxury Tsar palaces and astonishing parks with fontains.
 * — monastery in Karelia, located at an island in Ladoga lake.
 * — the largest unspoiled forested area in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage site with two protected territories: Yugyd Va National Park and Pechora Ilych Nature Reserve.
 * — the largest unspoiled forested area in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage site with two protected territories: Yugyd Va National Park and Pechora Ilych Nature Reserve.

Understand
Northwestern Russia has long vied with Central Russia for political and cultural preeminence, first under the trading center of the Novgorod Republic, later under Peter the Great's creation Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg, having lost the capital status to Moscow under the Soviet regime, retains its popular image as Russia's Northern Capital, window to Western Europe, and in the eyes of many remains the nation's foremost cultural center for its unparalleled museums, art galleries, classical music, and architectural history. Just outside the city are three staggeringly beautiful and enormous imperial palaces at Peterhof, Pushkin, and Pavlovsk.

Not far from Saint Petersburg are a few other small cities with rich history—especially Novgorod, which is a must-see attraction for visitors to the region, but also Pskov and the twin castle cities of Ivangorod and Narva (Narva being across the river in present-day Estonia). Further off the beaten path, but still possible as day trips from Saint Petersburg are small towns such as Staraya Ladoga, the birthplace of Russia, and Staraya Rusa, Dostoevsky's rural retreat, where he wrote and set The Brothers Karamazov.

Far further from Saint Petersburg and isolated from major population centers are some of Russia's most important sights, which are hard but rewarding to get to. Kizhi Island, a tiny island in Lake Onega, is home to some of Russia's most important and beautiful intricate wooden architecture. Isolated and breathtaking fourteenth century Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery in Vologda Oblast, on the shores of Siversky Lake, was once one of the wealthiest landowners of all Russia. Solovki in the White Sea is a singular destination; once one of the mightiest monasteries in Russia, and fortress of the White Sea, Solovki was turned into a notorious gulag under Stalin's reign.

For the most adventurous travelers, the North Seas await. Arkhangelsk is the principal port for giant Russian icebreakers heading out into the Barents Sea and off into the Arctic. Expensive tours are available via these great ships, which can take you to some of the most isolated lands in the world along the Russian north coast, Severnaya Zemlya, Novaya Zemlya, and all the way to the Russian Far East to Chukotka, Wrangel Island, and off to the Bering Sea.

Talk
Russian is the native language of the great majority.

Important minority languages are: Finnish, Karelian and Veps in Karelia, Sámi languages on the Kola peninsula and Komi in Komi, all belonging to the Finno-Ugric language family. Almost all speakers of these are fluent in Russian, aside from their native languages. They are a small minority in most cities, so don't count on being able to use these languages.

Basic English is widely understood in big cities, while in smaller cities and the countryside it can be very difficult to find an English speaker. German can also be useful. Older generations (born before 1975) are less familiar with foreign languages than younger people.

Get in
The only international airports in the region are in Saint Petersburg, but far-flung Murmansk and Arkhangelsk both have domestic airports served by flights from Saint Petersburg, Moscow, and each other.

There used to be connections to Arkhangelsk's Talagi airport from Luleå (Sweden), Rovaniemi (Finland), Tromsø, Bergen, Kristiansund (Norway), Homel (Belarus) and Antalya (Turkey), but because of the Russian war on Ukraine, there are no flights between Russia and the EU (check for Norway and Turkey).

By plane

Murmansk and Arkhangelsk have domestic airports with services between them and Saint Petersburg.

Air travel works in a pinch, but the fares are high (while train fare is often very low), and you will likely have more inconveniences dealing with airport staff and what have you, than if you take the more standard overnight trains. If you are trying to get to Naryan-Mar in Nenetsia (good luck), air travel is the only plausible means of success, with occasional service from Arkhangelsk.

By train
The principal mode of transport in Northwestern Russia (and Russia generally) is rail. Saint Petersburg is the undisputed rail hub of the region, and virtually all major cities in the region have rail service direct to the "Northern Capital." Southern cities also have direct service to Moscow. Given the vast distances throughout this sparsely populated section of the world, overnight trains are the most frequent mode of transport.

For intra-oblast travel, the most efficient and simple mode of transport are the electric train lines (Russian: электрички elektrichki. These small suburban radiate out from the main cities not just to suburbs, but to far-off smaller cities as well as small villages.

By bus
If the elektrichki don't take you all the way to your destination, you are in for an adventure. Buses and their smaller cousins (Russian: маршрутки marshrutki) connect the rest of the small towns and villages to the broader transit system. It is rare, however, to see a bus that has a clearly marked route. Often the only way to know which bus to take, and for that matter when to get off, is to ask. If you don't have enough command of Russian to do so, consider finding a tour operator to arrange transport to your destination instead.

Go next

 * Nordic countries — Kirkenes in Norway is reachable from Murmansk and Finland has several border crossings and good connections to the rest of the Nordic countries via Sweden. However, as of 2023, you should check the latest news, as the border policy may change on short notice.

title: Northwestern Russia


text:
Green Spain

Green Spain (Spanish: España Verde) is a region in northern Spain. Forget the Spanish stereotypes of bullfighting, flamenco dancers, and sunwashed beaches — with its ancient Celtic heritage, bagpipe players, and often rainy weather, Green Spain is more akin to Scotland than the rest of the country. Favourable climate helps keeping emerald hillsides always lush, and you'll have little reason to wonder why this part of the country is depicted with the name of a colour.

Regions
The northern half of the is also a part of Green Spain.

Cities

 * — one of Galicia's most populated and oldest cities, with the world's oldest functioning Roman lighthouse, the Tower of Hercules
 * — the largest city of Asturias has beaches and a railway museum
 * — a UNESCO World Heritage Site enclosed by a remarkably intact 2-km Roman wall
 * — a nice old centre, a bustling port and fresh seafood near the Monte e Lagoa de Louro nature reserve.
 * — the capital of Asturias has a fine old town and cathedral
 * — a quaint old town with a dilapidated castle and a beautiful old centre and a 1000-year-old Jewish quarter
 * — a seaside resort, university town, and main infrastructure hub and capital of the region
 * — a magificent historic city, UNESCO World Heritage site, and the culmination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage
 * — Galicia's most populated city. It is modern and industrial, whose history is shown in Roman ruins and Romanesque churches

Other destinations
Picos de Europa []. On the border of Asturias and Cantabria. Popular hiking area and area of wildlife.

Understand
It is called "green" because its wet and temperate oceanic climate helps lush pastures and forests thrive, providing a landscape similar to that of Ireland, Great Britain, and the west coast of France.

The average precipitation is about 1,200 mm, higher than in most areas in inland central Europe, and wetter than almost anywhere in Spain, a country generally considered dry. Asturias has an average summer temperature of 20-22 °C, being one of the mildest climates in Europe.

Go next

 * South to Portugal
 * Southeast to Castile and Leon
 * East to the Basque Country

title: Green Spain


text:
Northwestern Syria

Northwestern Syria is the region around Aleppo, Syria. Home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site the Dead Cities and countless archaeological remains, it is as of 2023 contested by both the Syrian government, Turkish-backed rebels and Kurdish rebels. Travel in this region is both difficult and dangerous.

Cities

 * - large town in the northeastern corner of Syria.
 * - second largest city in Syria, packed with history and culture despite being severely damaged during the civil war.
 * - major agricultural center.
 * - closest town to the ruins of Ebla.
 * - closest town to the ruins of Ebla.

Other destinations

 * – A series of towns which once formed part of Antioch. They have long since been abandoned but make an interesting stop for tourists. Al Bara boasts pyramidal tombs and formerly grand archways, now on modern farm land. Serjilla is another famous dead city.

Understand
The vast majority of the population in the Afrin Canton District, the northwestern corner of this region, are Kurdish. Kurdish is commonly spoken there, and the culture is much like that of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Get in
The international airport in Aleppo is functioning but services are very limited. There are domestic flights from the capital Damascus a few times per week and even sparser international flights from a few cities in the Middle East.

Travelling by car, taxi or bus is possible from Damascus along highway M5.

Eat
The people of Aleppo are famed for their love of food and visitors will find a great variety of excellent Syrian dishes for a very reasonable price.

One dish which is particular to Aleppo is muhammara, a delicious, tangy, spicy red paste of olives and roasted peppers which is eaten warm with warm flatbread.

For excellent fresh, flame-cooked lamb kebabs, try the kebab cart near the clocktower.

Drink
Alcohol is available only in the Christian quarter of the city where you will find beers and wines (mainly from Lebanon) and imported spirits. The drinking culture in the Christian Quarter tends to be quite mediterranean, with drinkers sharing a bottle of wine at a table with or after food.

There is an excellent fresh juice stall near the clock tower

Stay safe
See Syria article for information on the security situation.

title: Northwestern Syria


text:
Northwestern Yunnan

Northwestern Yunnan is in China. It consists of Diqing Prefecture (Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture), and Lijiang Prefecture.

Cities

 * — capital of Lijiang Prefecture, a traditional city and UNESCO world heritage site.
 * — halfway between Shangrila and Deqin, stopping point for "first bend" in Jinsha River
 * — aka Zhongdian, traditional Tibetan city on the Tea Horse Trail and the capital of Diqing Prefecture
 * — Rustic town downstream of Yubeng on the Mekong valley
 * — Starting point for trekking into Yubeng
 * — mythical village deep inside the mountains
 * — Starting point for trekking into Yubeng
 * — mythical village deep inside the mountains

Understand
Northwestern Yunnan is where the subtropical meets the alpine. Three rivers — the Nujiang (Salween), Lancang (Mekong) and Jinshan (Yangtze) — flow in parallel, separated by snow capped mountains. Culturally the region is a transition zone between the Sinic civilization to the east, Tibetan to the west and numerous minorities to the south. Historically, here lies the Tea Horse Road, a trans-Himalayan trade network between the tea planters of Puer and the horse herders of Tibet. Narrow paths carved into the cliff faces hanging precariously above the raging river are all that the horse caravans had to go on. Winding through villages across vistas, these ancient footpaths provide endless trekking opportunities.

Get in
Diqing Shangri-La Airport, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport.

title: Northwestern Yunnan


text:
Northwest High Country

The Northwest High Country is a sub-region of Georgia's Historic High Country region. The northwest corner of the state borders Alabama and Tennessee. The nearest large city is Chattanooga, Tennessee and accordingly Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls, and Rock City. The largest city, Dalton is well known for its carpet industry. Other attractions include Cloudland Canyon State Park, Fort Mountain State Park, Chief Vann House Historic Site, and the Chattahoochee National Forest.

Cities

 * — an unincorporated settlement that is part of the Chattanooga metropolitan area
 * — an unincorporated settlement that is part of the Chattanooga metropolitan area
 * — an unincorporated settlement that is part of the Chattanooga metropolitan area
 * — an unincorporated settlement that is part of the Chattanooga metropolitan area
 * — an unincorporated settlement that is part of the Chattanooga metropolitan area
 * — an unincorporated settlement that is part of the Chattanooga metropolitan area

See
This area is rich in Cherokee heritage and some notable sights pertaining to this are Chief Vann House Historic Site and New Echota Historic Site

Eat
The Tavern in Trion has some of the best southern cooking you'll find anywhere.

Ballenger's in Summerville has excellent steaks. Home-made salad dressings and also excellent spaghetti and lasagna.

Go next

 * West High Country
 * Central High Country
 * Northeast High Country
 * East High Country

title: Northwest High Country


text:
Northwest Highlands

Northwest Highlands is a region of Cameroon.

Cities

 * (French speaking)
 * (English speaking)
 * (English speaking)
 * (English speaking)
 * (English speaking)
 * (English speaking)

Stay safe
This area has the Anglophone Crisis happening and is not safe as of 2022. See war zone safety.

title: Northwest Highlands


text:
North West Highlands Geopark

North West Highlands Geopark is a UNESCO Geopark in Caithness and Sutherland in the north-west Scottish Highlands. The Geopark has coastal cliffs, beaches, mountains caves and waterfalls and a variety of unique geological features.

Understand
North West Highlands Geopark is one of 81 European Geoparks endorsed by UNESCO. It was awarded this status in 2004 for its geological variety - especially for the clash of strata, with older rocks overlying younger, that forced 19th century geologists to totally rethink their ideas. Its principal components are the 3 billion year old Lewisian Gneiss, the Torridonian Sandstone, the white quartzite capping many mountains and a large limestone area. Moine Thrust is the fault line that built the Caledonian mountains 400 million years ago, and during the Ice Ages these were sculpted by vast glaciers.

The area has little by way of mineral deposits, and poor soil for agriculture, so it's thinly populated and little developed. The vegetation is mostly heath, coarse grass and peat bog, with few trees.

The climate is chilly though seldom freezing. That's probably not what you'll say if you venture into the sea off the beautiful deserted beaches.

There are no gates, fees or permits for the geopark, but check local rules on fishing and game.

Visitor information

 * North West Highlands Geopark website

Villages
See these pages for where to eat, drink and sleep in the park:
 * has accommodation, amenities and ferries to Stornoway.
 * is a village west along a lane off the main road. Go that way for boat trips to the Summer Isles.
 * is a fishing village on a loop of road from Ardvreck Castle beneath the peaks of Suilven.
 * : Caolas or "Kyles" means straits, crossed until 1984 by a ferry but now spanned by an elegant bridge.
 * further up the coast has a hotel, campsite and other accommodation.
 * is a small harbour village.
 * is where you turn onto the north coast.

Get in
Inverness is the primary transport hub for the north of Scotland. It has an airport with domestic and a few international flights, trains and buses from the south, and car hire. Roads from the south and from the northern Highlands all converge here.

Ullapool is a secondary hub, with buses from Inverness connecting with ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. Local buses run from here up the northwest coast but are sparse, typically just one a day.

Get around
You need wheels: a car gets you out of the wind, rain and midges. See individual villages for times of the daily bus.

See

 * Gneiss is the bedrock of this region and of the Western Isles. The term applies to many rocks metamorphosed by volcanic heat and pressure, with a characteristic wavy banded appearance, and in these parts it means the Lewisian Gneiss formed from granite 3 billion years ago. In the Western Isles that's pretty much all you get, so you might suppose the island of Lewis is named after the gneiss not vice versa. Where the rock lies flat, as it's impervious it doesn't drain, and peat bogs build up. Where it's contoured there are gnarly heights and crags, even worse grazing than the soggy flatlands.
 * Torridonian sandstone was laid down just over a billion years ago, in three waves of deposition "unconformably" on top of a gneiss surface scraped bare of intermediate rocks. There's a small area north around Durness, the main area is from Lochinver down to Ullapool, and a third is south of the geopark through Torridon to Sleat. It forms sharp ridges, such as Suilven towards Lochinver. Some peaks (such as Foinaven and Arkle above Laxford Bridge) are capped with quartzite, so they glisten like snow when sunlit.
 * Moine Thrust: about 400 million years ago, Iapetus Ocean closed up, and the continents of Laurentia, Baltica and Avalonia collided, with tumult and upheaval almost as fierce as that between factions of 19th century geologists trying to understand the results. Very old Cambrian rock layers to the southeast were shoved up and over younger layers to the northwest, with an override up to 50 km wide. This overturned the Victorian theory of rock layers simply building up, with the youngest on top. They could accept vertical shifts but to shift so far horizontally - what mighty force could do that? As plate tectonics were unknown, geologists supposed that the earth was cooling, shrinking and wrinkling. The entire thrust zone runs for 120 miles (190 km) from Loch Eribol near Durness on the north coast to Sleat on Skye, and technically "Moine Thrust" means just the earliest and easternmost of a series of fractures and thrusts. What you visit is areas such as Knockan Crag, where the results are readily seen on the surface and in the sharp ridges above. Land further east is also displaced but lies flat above deeply buried layers, is less obviously scenic, and not part of the geopark.
 * , 13 miles north of Ullapool on A835, is the best place to see the Thrust. The visitor centre has interpretive displays and short walking trails.
 * are along A837, three miles south of Inchnadamph and the road junction for Lochinver or Kylesku. Reached by a 40-min hike from the car park, they're four karstic caverns in the mountainside where many animal bones were found, mostly 47,000-year-old reindeer but there was also lynx and bear. The caves have been used for human burial but weren't regularly occupied, so that's not the explanation for the bones; they probably washed in. The area is free to access 24 hours. The trail is a loop suitable for older children and dogs but you'll get filthy after rainfall. You can delve into the caves for a few yards only. Deeper within the mountain is the Uamh an Claonaite cave system, 2.868 km (1.782 miles) long, for experienced cavers only.
 * Handa Island just north of Scourie is a bird reserve with Torridonian sandstone sea-stacks, reached by a short but bouncy ferry ride.
 * Durness is in a small area of limestone. Smoo Cave is a curious hybrid, where a sea cave has become connected to a karstic cave. You need a guide to reach the karstic section (the best of it), and other caves hereabouts are only for experienced cavers.
 * Stac Fada Crater is thought to lie somewhere beneath the Minch, but its debris is widely scattered. A very large astro-lump piled into Earth some 1177 ± 5 million years ago, causing a 145,000-megaton blast with destruction over a radius of hundreds of miles.

Do

 * Hiking: ascents include Conival, Ben More Assynt, Foinaven and Suilven.

 * Rock climbing is generally best on the Torridonian Sandstone, for instance Stac Pollaidh and the sea cliffs of Reiff both around Achiltbuie, the sea-stack of Am Buachaille near Kinlochbervie, and The Old Man of Stoer north of Lochinver. For Lewisian gneiss climb around Kinlochbervie and Sheigra. In Strath Dionard east of Kinlochbervie there are good climbs on quartzite. None of the climbing routes have bolts or pegs, so all protection must be placed by the climber. See Mountaineering Scotland for more.

 * Caving: Smoo Cave near Durness is the only show cave. Those for the experienced are the systems behind the Bone Caves of Inchandamph and Elphin.

 * And see individual villages for golf, fishing, kayaking and other activities.

Stay safe
The main risk is being caught out in the open in bad weather and not being suitably equipped. The weather can change rapidly.

For walks of any length take the following:
 * good footwear: paths are often wet and boggy
 * waterproof jacket and trousers
 * warm clothing: a spare fleece or jumper, gloves and a hat
 * and always tell someone responsible where you're going. Note that in large areas there is no mobile phone reception.

Go next

 * Thurso near the northeast tip of the mainland is in the "flow" country of Caithness, with crumbling castles and soggy heath.
 * North Coast 500 is a motoring itinerary around the far north of Scotland, looping from Inverness through Ullapool, Durness and Thurso.
 * The Orkney Islands, a 90 min ferry ride from Thurso, are a complete contrast: bright red sandstone, with cliffs and stacks such as Old Man of Hoy, and the best prehistoric sites in Britain.
 * The Shetland Islands north of Orkney are a geopark. They're low-lying and treeless.
 * Loch Ness fills the Great Glen, the fault line that can be traced from Shetland to Inverness, Fort William, Islay and Donegal.
 * Fort William is near Ben Nevis and a geopark.
 * Cairngorms National Park spans several regions but is easiest to explore from Aviemore on its west flank.
 * Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is near the big cities and gets busy on fine weekends.

title: North West Highlands Geopark


text:
Northwest Ireland and Lakelands

Northwest Ireland and Lakelands is the tourist name for the Border Region of Ireland, more poetically defined as "NUTS-3 IE041". It's not a unit of government, it's just a grouping of counties for statistical and planning purposes, namely Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo, with a population in 2016 of 392,837. It's all within the Republic of Ireland, and historically mostly within Ulster, though Sligo and Leitrim were part of Connacht.

Towns

 * is the main centre for boating on the Shannon.
 * is near island-studded lakes.
 * has several ancient buildings, but the abbey was blown to tiny smithereens.
 * is the hub for exploring County Donegal.
 * famously declared a Bolshevik Soviet in 1919 - within the Lunatic Asylum.
 * is surrounded by dramatic scenery and ancient sites.

Other destinations

 * and have accommodation and ferries from the Donegal mainland.
 * 10 km north of Malin Head is the most northerly speck of dry land in Ireland, though the Tor Rocks lie another 1 km further north. It's nowadays uninhabited, and the landing beach is exposed so boat trips seldom visit.

Understand
"Don't mention the Border!"- it's no coincidence that this region looks a bit like Croatia on the map, with a chunk missing where its heartlands ought to be. When Ireland became independent in 1921, six of the nine counties of Ulster remained within the United Kingdom while three - Monaghan, Cavan and Donegal - became part of the Republic. So what was decried as a partition of Ireland was especially a partition of Ulster, with a "hard" border blighting trade and transport on both sides. Monaghan and Cavan lost their links to Belfast but at least their road to Dublin lay open. Donegal was doubly detached, with only a 9 km strip of territory joining it to the Republic, otherwise you had one border crossing to reach Derry and Belfast and two for Dublin. It was a major inconvenience at best, dangerous at worst during the late 20th century Troubles.

The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 brought peace, enshrined an open border, and allowed Ulster to re-launch itself as a tourist destination. The Enterprise Train plies back and forth between Dublin and Belfast, the Shannon-Erne waterway was built to connect the navigable River Shannon at Carrick with Enniskillen and the lakes of Fermanagh, and a daily bus brings the students of Monaghan and Cavan to Ulster University in Coleraine. The county town of Donegal, Lifford, is effectively just the outskirts of Strabane in Omagh. The border was actively downplayed, for tourist and other purposes, so this region needed a different identity. What it has in abundance is lakes, so "Northwest and Lakelands" is what it became.

Get in
By air, Dublin is a good choice, for its range of flights and good onward transport. With a rental car, you'll reach this region in a couple of hours. Belfast has two airports, and is more convenient for Donegal, Monaghan and Leitrim.

has flights from London Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Liverpool.

has flights from Dublin and Glasgow. Perched way out on the coast, it's convenient for northwest Donegal but not for anywhere else.

south of Sligo has flights from London Stansted, Luton and other UK cities, and some European destinations.

The only railway across the region is from Dublin Connolly via Carrick, Boyle and Ballymote to Sligo, with five trains a day. For Donegal you can take the train from Belfast to Derry then the bus.

Buses from central Dublin run via the airport to Carrick and Sligo. Buses from Belfast run via Armagh to Monaghan and Cavan, and buses from Derry run to Donegal.

Get around
You need your own wheels to get anywhere in this scattered region. The only rail connection within it is Sligo - Ballymote: that leaves you some miles from the prehistoric sites that are the main reason to visit Ballymote, but bike-on-train would work.

See individual counties for bus routes, which radiate from the largest towns. Inter-city buses can convey you between towns but are too sparse for sightseeing along the way. Those main routes are Derry-Letterkenny-Donegal-Ballyshannon-Sligo-Galway, Dublin-Cavan-Enniskillen-Donegal, Enniskillen-Manorhamilton-Sligo-Enniscrone-Ballina, and Cavan-Monaghan-Belfast. Sligo also has an hourly service to Strandhill and Rosses Point.

Ferries ply from the Donegal mainland to Arranmore, Gola Island and Tory Island.

See

 * Lough Gill and Glencar Lough are in scenic valleys on the Sligo / Leitrim border. The "Lake Isle of Inisfree" is about the least interesting islet of the many here, whereas Beezie's Island has a curious history.
 * Carrickmore outside Sligo and Carrowkeel near Ballymote are the best of the many prehistoric sites.
 * Drumlins create the "basket of eggs" countryside of Cavan and Monaghan, while limestone creates the "Cavan Burren" riddled with caves.
 * Carrick has possibly Ireland's smallest church, and its most completely destroyed castle that anyone can still actually see.
 * All the main towns have museums, but Donegal has the best, at Carndonagh, Newmills near Letterkenny, and Glencolmcille.

Do

 * Hill-walking: lots, of modest height, the most dramatic being the scarp of Ben Bulben (526 m) above Sligo.
 * Boating: a remarkable network of navigable waterways links across the country from Dublin, and upriver from Limerick and Athlone. The head of navigation on the Shannon is just above Carrick, from where a new canal stretches to Lough Erne and Enniskillen in Northern Ireland. One missing link is the Ulster Canal, but work is under way to re-open it, maybe in 2024.
 * Surfing: Sligo and Donegal have beaches exposed to the Atlantic, plus others that are sheltered enough for kiddy-bathing.
 * Gaelic games: Sligo, Cavan and Leitrim GAA all play in their county towns, while Donegal GAA play in Ballybofey. Monaghan GAA play in Clones and host matches of Ulster GAA, whose home stadium is derelict.
 * The Wild Atlantic Way is the name for the motoring route that hugs the west coast from Donegal through Sligo and all the way south to Cork.

Eat

 * Seafood is a staple, especially in Sligo and Donegal.
 * The upmarket hotels have the best dining, with several outstanding in Counties Donegal and Cavan. Otherwise pub grup is your best bet.

Drink

 * As with the rest of Ireland, every town and village (and many a quiet country road) has a pub, where you can drink the best of beers and spirits, often manufactured in the locality.
 * There are distilleries near Sligo, Dungloe and Glencolmcille in Donegal, Drumshanbo in Leitrim, and Carrickmacross in Monaghan. Plus maybe a dozen breweries.

Stay safe

 * The hills seldom exceed 500 m altitude but can be cold, wet and windy even at the height of summer, and mist can descend suddenly.
 * Beware Atlantic waves and currents, and tides on the causeways such as to Coney Island.
 * But the main hazards are man-made, especially traffic.

Go next

 * East is Northern Ireland: Derry and Belfast are fascinating cities, and the coast of County Antrim has Bushmills, Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Bridge.
 * Southwest is County Mayo, resembling Donegal with its bleak hills, bogs and scattered islands.
 * South you enter County Galway via its low-lying pastoral east: don't overlook the likes of Tuam and Athenry on the road to Galway city.

title: Northwest Ireland and Lakelands


text:
Northwest Italy

Northwest Italy consists of four of Italy's regions: Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy and Valle d'Aosta. To the east lies Northeast Italy, to the north is Switzerland and to the west France. The Italian Lake District is mostly in Northwest Italy.

Cities

 * - Aosta is the regional capital of the Aosta Valley. It is located near ski resorts and the Gran Paradiso National Park, characterized by an alpine botanical garden, paths and species such as ibex and eagles. Among the vestiges of the Roman past are the Arch of Augustus and the Porta Pretoria, which once gave access to the city. The Sant'Orso complex includes a Romanesque cloister and a priory with a frescoed chapel.
 * – a fairytale pastel-coloured city perched atop a hillside, and the gate to Bergamo Alps.
 * – a major industrial powerhouse since the Ancient Roman times, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 * - Como is a city located in the southern part of Lake Como. It is known for the gothic cathedral, the panoramic funicular and the pedestrian path along the lake. The Didactic Silk Museum illustrates the history of the Como silk industry, while the Tempio Voltiano is a museum dedicated to the physicist Alessandro Volta. To the north are the gardens overlooking the lake of Villa Olmo and other elegant villas.
 * - Genoa is a port city and is the capital of the Liguria region. It is known for its important role in maritime trade over many centuries. In the historic center is the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, in Romanesque style with a black and white striped facade and frescoed interiors. Narrow streets lead to monumental squares such as the Piazza de Ferrari, with its characteristic bronze fountain and the Carlo Felice opera house.
 * - La Spezia is a port city in Liguria, Italy. Its 19th-century maritime arsenal and the naval technical museum, with naval models and tools for navigation, bear witness to the maritime heritage of the city. The Castle of San Giorgio, on the hill, houses an archaeological museum with finds from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. The adjacent Amedeo Lia Civic Museum houses paintings, bronze sculptures and illuminated miniatures in a former convent.
 * (Italian: Mantova) – the Ducal Palace has a cycle of frescoes by Mantegna that no art lover should miss. This city is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 * (Italian: Milano) – shares with Paris the title of fashion capital of the world, and is Italy's second city and the main Italian economic centre. Moral capital "," Economic capital "," Lombard metropolis "," City of Madunìna "and so on: these are all slogans that describe the appearance of Milan, not its tourist essence, which is that of the most suitable city. more familiar man than the ancient villages of old Milan who hides his pearls in the ravines of the spreading modern city, perhaps with reluctance, perhaps with jealousy, certainly with pride. Intimate ancient churches, sumptuous palaces, silent medieval corners. And then, the astonishing explosion of the Duomo with the gilded and adored Madonnina, to reveal to everyone the greatness, the dynamism, the ingenuity that brought the most intimate and subdued ancient Milan onto the world stage.
 * (Italian: Torino) – After the Italian unification, on 17th March 1861, Turin was the first capital of modern Italy.
 * (Italian: Torino) – After the Italian unification, on 17th March 1861, Turin was the first capital of modern Italy.

Other destinations

 * - Thanks to the geographical and anthropic characteristics of the territory where they arise, the Cinque Terre are considered one of the most evocative Italian coastal attractions, for their naturally rough and rugged hilly context, softened by the construction of terraces for cultivation, which falls towards the sea with steep slopes; the villages, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore, arise in the points where the sea winds serpentinely into the earth, articulated to follow the natural shape of the hills. The Cinque Terre have been a World Heritage Site since 1997.
 * - Lake Como, with the cities of Como and Lecco constitutes a homogeneous tourist area which in addition to the two major cities groups the coastal centers of its shores, even if belonging to three different provincial administrative subdivisions: Cernobbio, Tremezzo, Menaggio, Gravedona, Colico, Bellano, Varenna, Bellagio, all centers that enjoy a thriving tourist economy.
 * - A natural environment of enchanting beauty, views and inlets that look like pictures, coastal villages of elegant simplicity and great charm; it is not for nothing that the lake has transformed its notoriety from national to global, also thanks to the presence on its shores of world-famous personalities, which actually invests the Piedmontese side rather than the Lombard one. Angera, Intra, Ispra, Laveno, Luino, Maccagno and Pallanza are its best known Lombard and Piedmontese coastal centers. The northern part is in Swiss territory, and has its largest city in Locarno.
 * - The largest body of water in the Peninsula and in Lombardy offers tourist opportunities of various kinds: climatic stays, including winter ones for the elderly and families, bathing and water sports activities; excursions on the reliefs that surround the lake basin; entertainment for young people in the countless clubs and amusement parks that are located near it also on the Venetian shore.

Understand
North-western Italy, also known more simply as North-West, is that part of the Italian territory that includes the regions of Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta.

Geographical notes
It borders to the west with France through the western Alps, to the north with Switzerland through the central Alps, to the east with the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna belonging to north-eastern Italy and to the south with the Ligurian Sea and the extreme offshoot of Tuscany in central Italy. North-western Italy encompasses a large part of the Po Valley and is crossed by the River Po, the longest in Italy.

Background
In historical terms of the last few centuries the North-West is mainly identified in the domains of the House of Savoy and therefore the continental part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which included, in addition to Piedmont, the Aosta Valley and Liguria. Lombardy, although culturally linked also to Piedmont and Liguria, has historically developed greater political and economic ties with the Veneto (Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia) and therefore with north-eastern Italy.

See

 * The Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy – a UNESCO World Heritage site consisting of nine groups of holy mountains featuring chapels and other Christian religious sites.

Eat
There are many places where you can taste many specialties of Northern Italy such as Courmayeur (where you can taste fontina, a typical Aosta Valley dish, which can also be tasted in other tourist cities such as Aosta and Cogne), Livigno (where you can taste pizzoccheri, typical Valtellinese dish, which can also be tasted in other tourist cities such as Bormio and Chiavenna, but also the polenta taragna), Alba (where you can taste the black and white truffle, but also in other tourist cities such as Barolo and Barbaresco, famous for fine wines), Milan (where you can taste the Milanese risotto, obviously with its many variations and ossobuco, even in luxury restaurants).

You can also enjoy good fish meals in restaurants in cities such as Sanremo, Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo and Portofino.

In all regions there are typical products, for example Lombardy is famous for Bitto, Taleggio DOP, Bresaola della Valtellina, Salame di Varzi, famous in the Oltrepò Pavese, apples from Valtellina and onions from Breme. Of course there are many other less known products but always in the IGP, DOP, IGT classifications.

Drink
Aosta Valley : Wine production in the Aosta Valley is small, but highly qualified. The vines vary according to the areas in which they are grown.

The products made in this region are considered mountain wines and are collected under the regional denomination DOC Valle d’Aosta - Vallée d’Aoste DOC, which includes 15 types of grape and 7 area sub-denominations:

Arnad-Montjovet

Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle

Chambave

Donnas

Enfer d'Arvier

Nus

Turrets

Among the most sought-after white wines, we find Blancs de La Salle et Morgex produced from Prié Blanc grapes, a vine grown at high altitudes, up to 1200 m. Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, dry Moscati are also grown on the regional territory.

Among the red wines from Valle d'Aosta, worthy of note are the wines of Enfer d'Arvier and the sub-area of Torrette, made with the Petit Rouge grape. Also interesting are the wines based on Cornalin, a native vine vinified alone or blended with Petit Rouge.

The Donnas DOC is instead a wine produced with 85% Nebbiolo grapes.

For sure, one of the most typical liqueurs of the Aosta Valley is genepì. It is a liqueur of very ancient origin, produced through the prolonged infusion of the floral stems of the black genepì.

Also worth tasting is the Ratafià, made with wild cherries, brandy and lemon zest.

The Aosta Valley also boasts a tradition in the production of grappa and distillates of alpine herbs.

Another local production is the famous Aosta Valley coffee. It is a preparation made with the "cup of friendship", a wooden container with a lid and various spouts, which is filled with hot coffee, to which lemon peel and grappa are added. A particular and tasty coffee, suitable to close the meals of the typical Aosta Valley cuisine.

Go next

 * Northeast Italy

title: Northwest Italy


text:
Northwest Missouri

Northwest Region is in Missouri

Cities

 * — a National Historic Landmark on the Santa Fe Trail
 * — its Catholic Church was founded in 1893
 * — the Home of Sliced Bread, Chillicothe has managed to maintain its small town heritage
 * — the town where Walt Disney spent much of his childhood has a museum with artifacts related to him
 * — home to Northwest Missouri State University
 * — the town where Jesse James was gunned down has several historic landmarks
 * — it has a historical marker for Continental Airlines Flight 11 which crashed nearby in 1962
 * — home of the National Silk Art Museum
 * — home of the National Silk Art Museum

title: Northwest Missouri


text:
Northwest New Mexico

Northwest New Mexico is a region in the state of New Mexico in the United States. It is notable for desert scenery, Four Corners (the only point in the United States where four states meet), and a large part of Navajo Nation, the country's largest Indian reservation.

Towns

 * - A small town that's the only place of substance along US 550 between the Albuquerque region and the Farmington area.
 * - Home to the El Morro National Monument, which preserves a sandstone bluff on which ancient people, early Spanish explorers, and pioneers carved inscriptions.
 * - The largest community in the region, noted as a gateway to the Navajo Nation and one of the top places to obtain Navajo artwork. This guide also covers the nearby towns of Aztec, Bloomfield, and Shiprock, and their own associated attractions, including the impressive pueblo ruins of Aztec Ruins National Monument and the spectacular monolith of Shiprock.
 * - An important gateway to the Navajo Nation along I-40 and old Route 66, noted for its numerous trading posts, flea market, and Indian-themed gift shops, as well as lovely red-rock scenery surrounding town.
 * - A former mining town along I-40 that's a useful jumping-off point to area attractions. Nearby Mount Taylor, northeast of town, is the highest mountain in the region and offers hiking, fishing, and camping opportunities.

Other destinations

 * - Far out in the boonies lies this exceptionally large and interesting array of archaeological sites; the remnants of an ancient civilization that once occupied this region.
 * - Preserves a recent (in geologic terms) lava flow, a sandstone ridge, and a series of lava-tube caves that beckon the desert hiker.
 * - The site where four states — Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah — meet.
 * - Occupying much of the region, the Navajo Nation is the single largest Native American reservation in the United States. This guide offers info on the local culture, as well as good places to purchase traditional Navajo artwork.
 * For a different taste of American Indian culture, three of New Mexico's pueblos are in this region. Zuni Pueblo is located south of Gallup and is famed for its local pottery, jewelry and small carved figures (known as fetishes). Acoma Pueblo and Laguna Pueblo are situated off of I-40 east of Grants, with Acoma famed for its historic settlement perched high atop a mesa. Both Acoma and Laguna also operate casinos, the Sky City Casino and the Dancing Eagle Casino, respectively, along I-40 a short distance from each other. More detailed information can be found in the New Mexico Pueblos guide.

Understand
This region is bounded on the north by Colorado and the west by Arizona. Southern and eastern boundaries are indistinct. For purposes of this article, everything south of Interstate highway 40 (following historic Route 66) is considered to be in southwestern New Mexico, with the exceptions of El Malpais National Monument owing to its association with the definitely northwestern town of Grants, and Zuni Pueblo owing to its location amid outlying sections of Navajo Nation. The eastern boundary is taken to be the Continental Divide north of US highway 550 and the Nacimiento Mountains south of it; areas east of this boundary are covered in the article on north central New Mexico.

This is a rugged, dry area lacking the high mountains that give the north central region more rain, vegetation and scenery more commonly associated with Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. However, there is still spectacular scenery. Shiprock on the territory of Navajo Nation near the town of the same name is one of New Mexico's most cherished landmarks and appears on much of the state's tourist propaganda.

Talk
If you happen to speak Navajo, yah-te-hey, and you'll likely have a chance to practice it here. English is the more universal language of the region, however. A smaller fraction of the population speaks Spanish than in most other parts of New Mexico, and speakers of other languages (except Zuni) are rare.

Get in

Farmington is served by Great Lakes Airlines, with flights to Denver under a codeshare agreement with United Airlines. Amtrak's Southwest Chief route follows I-40 through the region, stopping briefly in Gallup. Otherwise, access is mainly by road, with good highways on the south (Interstate 40, following the route of historic Route 66) and east (US 550). US 491 between Gallup and the town of Shiprock is a good scenic drive that gives the traveler a sense of the rugged desolation of this region.

Get around
Drive. Hitchhiking doesn't work well here owing to the sparse population and vast distances, and there is little if any bus service within the region.

Like too much of New Mexico, drunk driving is an issue here, but an additional, unexpected problem for the motorist is intoxicated pedestrians. The wise motorist is consequently advised to be on the lookout for pedestrians acting strangely, even on seemingly deserted roads.

Drink
Don't, at least not within Navajo Nation; possession, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages are illegal within reservation boundaries. Farmington (population about 40,000) is outside the reservation and is large enough to have rudimentary night life (e.g. Sun Ray Park and Casino at the racetrack), but there is some hostility to bar-hopping because of the social problems that result from alcoholic members of Navajo Nation and redneck townsfolk within the border town. This concern may sound overblown to visitors from outside the region, but it is not. This is not a good place for drinking.

Stay safe

One crime-oriented warning if you're out prowling the boonies: on occasion when you're out in theoretically empty country, you will see a small plane drop below the local horizon and then climb back out. Do not investigate. The odds are quite good that this plane is departing minus a load of controlled substances that was delivered to someone waiting below who won't be glad to see you. Scary encounters have occurred under such conditions not only with the recipients of this contraband, but also with DEA agents waiting to apprehend them.

The usual safety concerns about rural areas apply here, with a little extra emphasis on getting help. The remote parts of northwest New Mexico are really out in the boonies, and help can be a very long time in arriving, particularly if you're hiking or river running. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that cellular phone coverage is spotty owing to distances and terrain. You may find it difficult to arrange rescue via cell phone if something does happen to you on a river or a trail. When venturing into the backcountry, it's thus a good idea to carry a little more in the line of emergency gear and supplies than might otherwise be your usual practice. Extra water is also important, as water sources are few and commonly contaminated.

It seems incongruous to raise safety issues involving flash floods in an area as dry as this one, but flash floods do claim lives here. The limited rainfall tends to come in brief but extremely violent thunderstorms that can drop a lot of water in a short time, onto a landscape that the water generally doesn't soak into, owing to desert varnish, caliche, etc. Use caution when entering gullies and washes, even if there don't seem to be any storms nearby; flash floods can occur far downstream of the storms that create them.

Go next
The red rock landscape and Navajo cultural presence continues west across the state lines and the Four Corners into Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, where you'll find even more spectacular examples of desert scenery, including the famous Grand Canyon, the evocative Petrified Forest, and the iconic Monument Valley. Southwestern Colorado to the north also has some noteworthy desert and gorgeous mountain scenery as well as the most famous of the Ancestral Puebloan sites: the spectacular cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde.

To the east lies the central and north central portions of New Mexico, which hold a pretty striking variety of natural scenery and are home to Albuquerque, the state's largest city and cultural crossroads, and Santa Fe, the state capital and primary tourist destination.

title: Northwest New Mexico


text:
Northwest Odisha

Northwest Odisha covers the north-western region of Odisha in Eastern India.

Cities

 * —

 * — headquarters of Mayurbhanj district with ruins of ancient forts and Jagannath temple

 * —

 * — former capital of Odisha, birthplace of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

 * — a former princely state

 * —

 * (Kendujhargarh) —

 * — known for its steel and fertiliser plants

 * — the biggest city in western Odisha

Other destinations

 * — a group of three Buddhist archaeological sites of Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri
 * —

See

 * Simlipal National Park & Tiger Reserve is undoubtedly a tourist paradise for its varied flora & fauna and extensive grassy lands.
 * Khiching The temple of Kichakeswari at Khiching, built entirely of chlorite slabs is unique of its kind in India. A plethora of other temples also dominate the place some of which are still in active worship. The small museum situated here boasts of highly important historical specimens of sculpture and art
 * Deokund A beautiful scenic spot amidst green forests, has picturesque waterfall. The hill top temple of Goddess Ambika is a special attraction of the place.

title: Northwest Odisha


text:
Northwest Ohio

Northwest Ohio includes areas of the state bordering Michigan and Indiana.

Counties

Defiance County, Fulton County, Hancock County, Henry County, Huron County, Paulding County, Putnam County, Seneca County, Williams County, Wood County

Cities

 * - Flag city USA, and the seat of Hancock County.
 * - A quiet village with a large state park.
 * - An industrial city and seat of Seneca county.
 * - A college town, and seat of Wood County.
 * - A small city and suburb of Toledo.
 * - The seat of Defiance county in the far northwest.
 * - A city crossed by railroads.
 * - A college town, and seat of Wood County.
 * - A small city and suburb of Toledo.
 * - The seat of Defiance county in the far northwest.
 * - A city crossed by railroads.
 * - The seat of Defiance county in the far northwest.
 * - A city crossed by railroads.

State Parks and Resort Lodges
For camping and getaway rental reservations on any of Ohio's Parks tel. 1-866-644-6727.
 * Harrison Lake State Park, Fulton County, 26246 Harrison Lake Road, Fayette. 175 campsites, 150 have electric hook-ups, showers, flush toilets, two Rent-A-Yurt units,  non-powered watercraft, fishing, 3.5-mile hiking trail, volleyball, basketball  courts, horseshoe pits, swimming, fishing, and canoeing.
 * Mary Jane Thurston State Park, Henry County, northeast of McClure at 1-466 State Route 65, on the Maumee River. 35 non-electric campsites, twenty miles of open water for boating, two launch ramps, marina, fishing, hunting, one-mile portion of the Buckeye Trail, six miles of trails in the North Turkeyfoot Area, backpacking, horseback riding or mountain biking.
 * Malabar Farm State Park, Richland County, 4050 Bromfield Road, Lucas.  15 Primitive campsites and over 12 miles of back-country trails.The original Bromfield home is now a 19-bed hostel.[[Image:Ohio_Malabar_Farm_from_Mt_Jeez..jpg|250px|right|thumb|Malabar Farm State Park]]
 * Van Buren State Park, northern Hancock County, north of Findlay, east of Van Buren at 12259 Township Rd. 218. 27 non-electric sites, tables, fire rings, pit latrines, drinking water, playground, outdoor amphitheater, horseshoe pit, hiking, multi-purpose trail, nature center, lake, pet camping, horseman’s camp with 33 non-electric campsites, fishing, hunting, fishing, hunting, volleyball courts and horseshoe pits.

Geography
Due to glacial movements, the land here is incredibly flat, and low lying - It is easy to see for miles, and it isn't uncommon to hear some locals call inclines as short as several feet hills.

Agriculture
Northwest Ohio was one of the last areas of Ohio settled by Europeans, due to the vast Great Black Swamp that dominated the land after the glaciers receded. The swamp was slowly cut down and drained over time, and was re-purposed as fertile farmland. To this day, the majority of the land in this area is used to grow corn, soy and other crops. Bits of the swamp still exist in some parks, and it's common to see businesses, public art, and sports team mascots named after or inspired by the swamp.

Industrialization
In the 1880's oil and natural gas was discovered in this area, leading to a few boom towns becoming proper small cities. Though none grew into a metropolis, they often have grand public buildings and Victorian painted ladies that were paid for with a glut of oil money. Though the oil dried up due to wasteful practices the initially cheap gas attracted industry to the area, particularly companies in the glass and energy sectors. A few of these companies stuck around to this day - a few towns are known for their glassware, and early wind farms were established in this area.

By plane
The nearest airport with regularly scheduled flights is the Toledo Express Airport in Toledo. Most travelers will fly in at a major airport in a neighboring region such as the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport or the Detroit Metro Airport

For travelers who are pilots, there are a number of minor General aviation airports in the area, most of which offer paved runways, fueling, and hanger services.

By car
I75 is a major interstate that goes through this region from north to south.

I80/I90 goes east to west as the Ohio Turnpike, a toll road. The turnpike is well maintained, and has large plaza rest areas with convenience stores, restaurants, and restrooms. Tolls are based on distance traveled, so don't loose the ticket provided on entry.

Two lane paved country roads are the primary links between cities in this area.

By train
Amtrak has a stop in Bryan, Ohio, and a larger station in Toledo.

By car
The majority of area travel is done by car. Parking is usually free. In the few downtown areas that use meters it is relatively cheap.

Electric cars may have difficulty finding dedicated charging stations outside cities on I-75.

By bike
The geography of Northwest Ohio is noticeably flatter then the rest of the state. This makes cycling a breeze provided there is no significant headwind, and changing gears is rarely needed.

Museums
Ashland Findlay
 * Hancock Historical Museum, 422 West Sandusky.

Norwalk:

Tiffin:

Do

 * National Tractor Pulling Championships, in Bowling Green.
 * Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk.

Eat
Northwest Ohio is not known for any particular dish. However, as a breadbasket region, the food here is very fresh. Farmer stands are a chance to try very fresh corn on the cob, apple cider, and other agricultural produce.

Drink
Beer is king here, though spirits, cider, and wine are also widely available.

Sleep
Along I-75 and Turnpike exits, there are plenty of hotels to choose from, from family hotels to the lower end of luxury. Outside these areas lodging options are typically limited to campgrounds, farmhouse bed and breakfasts, motels, and smaller hotels.

Stay safe
Due to the flat terrain winds can be strong, and areas near rivers can flood easily. The Lake Effect from Lake Erie can also make winter weather stronger in the counties near the lake. Be aware of the weather.

Major Cities

 * Cleveland
 * Columbus
 * Detroit
 * Fort Wayne
 * Indianapolis

Regions

 * Ohio Erie shore west
 * Lake Erie Islands
 * West Central Ohio
 * Northern Indiana
 * Southeast Michigan

title: Northwest Ohio


text:
Northwest Pelion

Mount Pelion (also spelt Pelio or Pelium; Greek, Modern: Πήλιο, Ancient/Katharevousa: Πήλιον) forms a hook-like peninsula between the Pagasetic Gulf and the Aegean Sea.

Towns and villages
Villages are grouped together in clusters of nearby villages:

Understand
North West Pelion lies near the Pagasetic gulf.

The mountains are entirely forested, with beech, oak, maple and chestnut trees. Pelion is a tourist attraction throughout the year: the mountain includes trails and sidewalks for walking within small and large beaches with sand or pebbles.

Located near the city of Volos, in the prefecture of Magnesia.

Get in
North West Pelion is the area of Pelion which is closest to Volos.

By bus
There are frequently buses from Volos Interurban Bus Terminal ("Yperastiko KTEL") (KTEL Volou) to most of the villages in that area. Details on buses, can be found online here

See
Many of the villages slightly further in land, and of higher altitude, are themselves sights to see. Built on terraces cut into the side of the mountain, with many large traditional archontika buildings, which were the former homes of wealthy merchants. Makrinitsa and Milies that are particularly worth exploring.

There are various museums in the region. The Olive Museum in Ano Gatzea explores all things olive, and the Pelion Museum of Folklore and History in Makrinitsa explores regional history.

Do

 * Walk along the recognized hiking routes.

 * Beaches – This western side of Pelion, with a coast on the Pagasetic Gulf, has smaller sandy beaches with calm waters than the Northeast Pelion coast. Afissos, has three main beaches: two with organized facilities, including beach bars with music that are popular with youth. Afissos beaches are considered among the best in North West Pelion. Lefokastro, just after Afissos, has four beaches. The road from Afissos is narrow with high slopes, it can be difficult to drive if you find cars coming in the opposite direction. There is a much better road from the main road to Argalasti. The first two beaches after Afissos have shallow waters. There is a nice beach in front of the campsites at Kato Gatzea.

Drink
The most lively nightlife can found in Kato Lexonia, Kato Gatzea, Kala Nera and Afissos. Naturally, you can find a good coffee or ouzo in most village squares under the massive plane trees, but be sure to see and be seen in Portaria and Makrinitsa.

Sleep
There are camping options near the beaches around Kala Nera, as well as regular hotels and holiday lets in the various coastal villages there and around Platanidia. If you stay further up Mt Pelion, in places such as Portaria and around Milies, there are more traditional options, with rooms available in the traditional stone built Archontika buildings, previously the old homes of the wealthy merchants of Volos.

Go next
Pelión

title: Northwest Pelion


text:
North West Province

The North West Province, provides a link between South Africa and Botswana. The province is the largest platinum production area in the world, and its Stelland area is the "Texas of South Africa" with some of the biggest cattle herds in the world.

Cities

 * — the capital of the North West Province has many popular resorts
 * — a base for visiting the Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve
 * — a resort area between the Magaliesberg Mountains and Hartebeespoort Dam
 * — a mining and agricultural centre
 * — a university town with several museums and historical sites
 * — a base for visiting nearby game reserves
 * — known for its cultural cultural events such as the annual Cultural Calabash
 * — an agricultural town with modern architecture and well-preserved old buildings

Other destinations

 * — South Africa's Las Vegas, with casino, golf course and adventure area.
 * — a typical small farm village, famous for literature and Mampoer

National parks

 * — a small park, easy to reach from Johannesburg. Has the Big Five

Other nature reserves

 * — approx. north of Thabazimbie
 * — in the north of the province

Understand
Much of the province consists of flat areas of scattered trees and grassland. The Magaliesberg mountain range in the northeast extends about 130 km (80 miles) from Pretoria to Rustenburg. The Vaal River flows along the southern border of the province.

The mainstay of the economy of North West Province is mining, which generates more than half of the province's gross domestic product and provides jobs for a quarter of its workforce. The chief minerals are gold, mined at Orkney and Klerksdorp; uranium, mined at Klerksdorp; platinum, mined at Rustenburg and Brits; and diamonds, mined at Lichtenburg, Christiana, and Bloemhof. About 85% of all money-making activities take place between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom. The economic heart of the province is Klerksdorp. The northern and western parts of the province have many sheep farms and cattle and game ranches. The eastern and southern parts are crop-growing regions that produce maize (corn), sunflowers, tobacco, cotton, and citrus fruits. The entertainment and casino complex at Sun City and Lost City also contributes to the provincial economy.

The majority of the province's residents are Tswana people who speak Tswana, as in neighbouring Botswana. Smaller groups include Afrikaans, Sotho, and Xhosa speaking people. English is spoken primarily as a second language.

Climate
Temperatures range from 17° to 31 °C (62° to 88 °F) in the summer and from 3° to 21 °C (37° to 70 °F) in the winter. Annual rainfall totals about 360 mm (about 14 in), with almost all of it falling during the summer months, between October and April.

By car
The N12 highway runs from Kimberley through the eastern part of the province (Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom) to Johannesburg. The N14 from Upington joins the N12 in Wolmaranstaad. The N4 runs through the north of the province. It comes from Gaborone in Botswana, goes through Zeerust and Rustenburg and from there to the north of Pretoria.

By plane
The airport of Pilanesberg/Sun City offers flights from Johannesburg.

The capital city of Mmabatho/Mafikeng has regular flights operated by South African Airways from Johannesburg.

Rustenburg Airfield.

By bus
Greyhound and Translux offer bus connections from other provinces.

Do

 * Rock Climbing
 * SkyDive Rustenburg - based at Rustenburg Airfield. Enjoy a scenic flight over Rustenburg and the Magaliesberg on the climb to, 40 seconds in freefall attached to a tandem master, and a 5-minute parachute ride back to earth. +27 79 345 7058 [mailto:SkyDive.Rustenburg@gmail.com SkyDive.Rustenburg@gmail.com]

title: North West Province


text:
Northwest São Paulo (state)

Northwest São Paulo  is a region in the state of São Paulo. It is a mostly rural and sparsely populated area, with low industrialization level, and heritage left by Japanese immigration. A major attraction in the region are the beaches and nautical leisure at the reservoirs in the Paraná, Tietê and Grande rivers.

Cities

 * - Hot spring city that attracts more than 1 million visitors per year to its Thermas dos Laranjais waterpark
 * - Japanese heritage and the beauty of the Tietê river
 * - The largest city of the region and its cultural capital
 * - A popular regional destination for fishing and nautical leisure
 * - The largest city of the region and its cultural capital
 * - A popular regional destination for fishing and nautical leisure

Eat
The cuisine of the northwest region is a little different from other parts of the state. Typical dishes include:
 * Caldo do Artista
 * Cupim Casqueirado

title: Northwest São Paulo (state)


text:
Northwest Tanzania

Northwest Tanzania is known as Africa's Great Lakes region, because it is home to Tanzania's portion of Lake Victoria in the north and Lake Tanganyika in the west.

Understand
The most visited city in the area is Mwanza, because it makes for an easy base for visiting the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

Apart from Mwanza, the northwest does not get as many tourists as other regions, so those who do visit may feel they're getting a more "authentic" African experience, especially if you visit the smaller towns in the area. Bukoba and the surrounding area is home to the Haya people.

Talk
The most useful language is Swahili but English is also spoken around tourist spots.

By plane
The largest airport in the region is Mwanza Airport. There are international flights from Nairobi, Kisumu, Kigali, and Bujumbura as well as domestic flights from Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Kigoma, Arusha, Zanzibar and others. From Mwanza there are fights to Bukoba Airport

Alternatively, visitors can fly into Entebbe (Uganda) and then catch a bus to Tanzania (Bukoba) from Kampala to cross the over land into Tanzania. This can actually be a more affordable option, but remember that you will need to pay $50 USD for a Ugandan visa.

By bus
From Uganda, there are buses that will take you from either Kampala or Masaka to Bukoba.

From Rwanda, there are buses from Kigali to the border city of Rusumo. From there you can cross the border to Biharamulo and then travel onward to other areas, like Bukoba or Mwanza.

From Northeast Tanzania, most buses will go to Mwanza and from there you can catch another bus to wherever you want to go. There are also buses from Dar es Salaam and Dodoma to Mwanza.

By train
There are trains connecting Dar es Salaam and Dodoma to Tabora, Kigoma and Mwanza.

By plane
Although the ferry (below) is cheaper, there are flights available between Mwanza and Bukoba. There are also flights between Kigoma and Tabora. Flights between Kigoma and Mwanza will begin on August 17, 2011.

By bus
The bus stations in Bukoba and Mwanza keep them well-connected to the rest of the region, as well as other parts of the country.

By ferry
There is a ferry that travels between Bukoba and Mwanza across Lake Victoria. Boats can also be used to reach Rubondo Island and Saa Nane Island in Lake Victoria.

See
The northwest region is known for its excellent natural sites with much less tourists. Lake Victoria itself is a site to see, as it's the largest lake on the continent, the world's second largest freshwater lake, and the world's largest tropical lake. Tanzania's part of the lake is also home to Rubondo Island National Park, a beautiful island where you can see hippos, alligators, and many other animals. Those with an interest in birds will particularly enjoy Rubondo, as it is home to over 400 different bird species. Saa Nane Island ('Eight O'Clock Island' in Swahili) features monkeys, impala, hyrax, and many aquatic animals.

Just outside of Bukoba is the site of ancient cave paintings. Within the city is the Kagera Museum, which features information about the local culture and history, along with artifacts. It is one of the few museums in this region. The city is also the seat of the Kiziba Kingdom.

Do
Take a ride into the lush Mara River Wetlands on an airboat. Lots of birds and smoother than the roads!

title: Northwest Tanzania


text:
Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories (NWT) is a vast wilderness area that is a part of Northern Canada. Summer in the NWT offers open water, camping, hot weather and the midnight sun. Autumn offers vivid colours in the mountains and bountiful berry-picking in the Barrenlands, and excellent opportunities to see the Aurora Borealis. Winter is an even better time to see the Northern Lights when the sky is clear and the nights are long. Springtime is ideal for snowmobiling, dogsledding, ice-fishing, and skiing.

Regions
The Northwest Territories is divided into five regions, which roughly correspond to the territories of the original native inhabitants:
 * South Slave (South of Great Slave Lake). The main community in this region is Fort Smith.
 * North Slave (North of Great Slave Lake). The main community in this region is the capital, Yellowknife.
 * Deh Cho. The main communities in this region are Hay River and Fort Simpson.
 * Sahtu. The main community in this region is Norman Wells.
 * Beaufort Delta/Arctic Coast, which can be further broken down into the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit settlement areas. The main community in this region is Inuvik.

Cities

 * — the territory's capital and largest settlement, with several scenic walking trails, and the territorial museum
 * — a destination for ice fishing and sport fishing
 * — the most populous town in the Canadian Arctic, almost 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, at the inland end of the Mackenzie Delta and the northern end of the Dempster Highway
 * — an Inuvialuit village, the only village on the Arctic Ocean connected by road to the rest of the country
 * — an important stopover on the road from Alberta to Yellowknife, Hay River, and other NWT settlements
 * — the gateway for visitors to the Wood Buffalo National Park
 * - Erected in 1825 by the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) as Fort Franklin, the staging area and winter quarters for Sir John Franklin's second Arctic expedition of 1825–1827. Sir John Franklin's diary records that his men played ice sports very similar to what we now call hockey. As such, the modern-day town promotes itself as one of the birthplaces of the sport of ice hockey.

Other destinations

 * — on Banks Island, accessible only by chartered plane, it is known for the Thomsen River, one of the most northerly navigable rivers in North America
 * — ; the South Nahanni River, one of the most spectacular wild rivers in North America, also accessed by chartered plane
 * — intended to protect the South Nahanni River watershed, it has no services, and is accessible only by chartered float plane
 * — lakes, rivers and waterfalls, a striking archipelago of islands, peninsulas, landscape formations shaped by ancient ice sheets, dramatic red granite cliffs; it has no services, and is accessible from Łutselk'e which has scheduled flights from Yellowknife
 * — 170 km north of the Arctic Circle in the northeast corner of mainland Northwest Territories; scheduled flights from Inuvik
 * — where the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and the territories of Northwest Territories and Nunavut meet, hundreds of kilometres from any road or railway

Understand
Although the name is plural, NWT is a single sub-national jurisdiction within Canada.

About 37% of its 42,000 residents (2016) are First Nations indigenous people, 10% are Inuit (formerly known as Eskimo), and 7% are Métis. See Indigenous cultures of North America.

Its terrain includes boreal forest (taiga) and tundra, and its most northern regions form part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

History
The Northwest Territories was created to encompass all of the Canadian territories to the west and north of Ontario (hence the name ‘Northwest’ Territories).

All of the land which drained into Hudson's Bay once belonged to the Hudson's Bay Company as "Rupert's Land". Parts of that land later became NWT, which covered a vast area. Through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, NWT lands were transferred to provinces, or separated to create the Prairie provinces. For instance, all of Lloydminster used to be part of NWT; it was divided on longitude 110°W upon the creation of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

For a century, the name was a bit of a misnomer, as the Northwest Territories contained the Arctic Archipelago, which extended far east. The Yukon Territory was carved out of NWT in 1898. The primarily-Inuit Nunavut Territory seceded in 1999.

To some, the name remains a misnomer as NWT is just one of the three Canadian territories, and it is only "northwest" relative to some other jurisdiction – presumably Ontario. A singular name "Northwest Territory" is avoided due to its historic use for an "Old Northwest" that became U.S. states Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and part of Minnesota. Some advocate native-language names for the territory but there has been no clear consensus.

Tourist information

 * Spectacular Northwest Territories website

By plane
Flights connect Yellowknife with Edmonton and Calgary in Alberta, and Vancouver, British Columbia. There are seasonal flights from Whitehorse, Yukon, Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario.

By car
From Alberta, Highway 16 leaves from Edmonton to connect to Highway 43. Highway 43 (part of Mackenzie Highway) heads north towards NWT becoming NWT Highway 1 (part of Mackenzie Highway). Turn on to NWT Highway 3 to take you to Yellowknife. The journey is about, and there are long distances between gas (petrol) stations. Do your research, and be prepared.

The Dempster Highway (Yukon Highway 5 and NWT Highway 8) connects Inuvik with the Klondike Highway near Dawson City, Yukon.

By train
There are no passenger railways in NWT.

Get around
One of the best ways to get around the Northwest Territories is by car. This gives you unlimited freedom to choose your own itinerary.

Picture the scene - you're driving down the highway and you look to your left, you see a vast expanse of wilderness, maybe a picturesque sunset and even a herd of caribou (reindeer) going about their business. You look to the right and a black bear is peeping out from behind trees. With uninterrupted views of the wide open space and wildlife, you will be alert to all the new sights and sounds until you come across a sleepy little community that offers a camping ground with a small restaurant of home cooked delights and a welcoming atmosphere.

The territorial government operates free ferries on four unbridged river crossings in summer: at the Liard River near Fort Simpson, the Peel River near Fort McPherson, and the Mackenzie River near Wrigley and at Tsiigehtchic. In winter, the government maintains a number of ice roads at these river crossings and elsewhere.

Car hire is a good resource to make the most of in the Northwest Territories. Reliable and cost effective, car hire companies will be able to advise you of the best routes to spot wildlife and the best routes to take you from waterfall to river to lake.

Another of the best ways to travel around the Northwest Territories is by plane, due to the airports dotting the landscape, as well as the lack of roads and rails throughout many parts of the Northwest Territories. (Indeed, passenger rail service has yet to be extended to the Territories.) Yellowknife essentially began partially through the efforts of bush pilots, and float planes can presumably land on the territories' many lakes (they are known to land in Yellowknife Bay). Airline service can be had to Yellowknife, Fort Good Hope, Fort Liard, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik, Norman Wells, and other communities, and bush pilots presumably reach further.

See
You must see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). They are best seen in wintertime, when the nights are long. They cannot be seen at all during the short "white nights" around the summer solstice. Tour companies in Yellowknife offer snowmobile, sled dog expeditions, photography workshops and tractor rides to see the lights from places outside of town.

Great Slave Lake, on the shore of which sits the town of Hay River, is the deepest lake in North America at. The Igloo Church is Inuvik's best-known building. It was built in 1960 with a distinctive dome and exterior painted to look like an igloo.

The Pingos near Tuktoyaktuk are domes of earth-covered ice found only in the high Arctic.

The Northern Life Museum in Fort Smith exhibits traditional work of the Inuit, Inuvialuit, Dene and Metis. It displays include an authentic northern trading post, a typical northern kitchen from the 1940s, and, a traditional trapper's cabin, a 1965 Polaris Sno-Traveler, and a river bank scene featuring a birch bark canoe. The museum also hosts an outdoor Indigenous cultural centre that showcases Canada's First Peoples' ways of traditional living before European contact occurred in the early 1800s.

The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife houses the territorial museum and archives.

Within 40 km of Enterprise, you can hike to three sets of waterfalls. In summer, you can see pelicans and endangered whooping cranes nesting near Fort Smith.

Do
Hike or paddle the NWT sections of the Trans Canada Trail.

Yellowknife hosts many festivals year-round, including the Snowking Festival, Long John Jamboree, and the dog sled races in winter, and in the summer, the Summer Solstice Festival, Raven Mad Daze (and 24-hour golf tournament), and Folk on the Rocks, a popular music festival.

Inuvik hosts a Sunrise Festival in January combining native traditions with modern ones. And its Great Northern Arts Festival in the middle of July draws artists come from across the north, other parts of Canada, and Alaska. The Beluga Jamboree in Tuktoyaktuk in April is a large cultural festival full of games, food, and a Jamboree King and Queen competition

Tours are available from Hay River for summer and ice fishing on Great Slave Lake for whitefish, lake trout, and perch. There are also several fly-in lodges that take you fishing in almost untouched wilderness. From Tuktoyaktuk, local guides will take you hunting for caribou, polar bear, beluga whale, fox, and wolverines. (The polar bear populations are strictly controlled through selective hunting to ensure sustainability.)

In winter, you can take dogsledding trips from Yellowknife and other towns.

You can hike to three waterfalls in the region around Enterprise.

Local operators:

Buy
Local Inuit handicraft (stone carving, fur mittens). NWT is locally famous for its diamond mining. Purchasing diamonds here will ensure that they are not conflict diamonds mined in conflict regions where the profits are used to finance war activities.

Eat
Northern fish from the Great Bear and Great Slave Lakes includes Northern Pike, Pickerel, Grayling fresh, and Lake Trout. Arctic Char is a specialty of the northern coast.

Muskox are moose steak are specialties, sometimes flavoured with spruce buds, or with locally sourced morels.

If you're brave, look for maktak (beluga whale), reindeer, dry fish or muskrat, which are considered delicacies.

Bannock, a popular tea biscuit, is widely available, often made with delicious local berries and baked over a wood fire.

Bullock's Bistro: Quaint, rustic spot covered with customer's notes serving seafood, chowder, fish & chips plus beer.

Drink
Yellowknife is really the only place you'll find nightlife of the bars-and-pubs variety, although other settlements may have a bar or two.

Some communities have banned all alcohol while a few others have restrictions on importing and possessing alcohol. Check to see if you are allowed to bring alcohol into the community.

Stay safe
There is no 9-1-1 emergency number in most communities in the Canadian high Arctic. Use the seven-digit local numbers for the individual services in each community to summon help in an emergency.

In winter, temperatures can get down to -40 °C/F without the winds. The articles cold weather, winter driving and dangerous animals all have advice which will be relevant to many travellers in the Arctic.

Go next
Alberta´s Wood Buffalo National Park is accessible by road, but only from the Northwest Territories.

Yukon is to the west, though unless you are in the northwest area of the North West Territories, you will have to drive southwest through British Columbia to get there.

title: Northwest Territories