text:
North Dakota

North Dakota is a state in the Great Plains of the United States. Outdoor attractions like the 144-mile (232-km) Maah Daah Hey Trail and activities like fishing and hunting attract visitors. The state is known for the Lewis & Clark Trail and being the winter camp of the Corps of Discovery. Areas popular with visitors include Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the western part of the state. The park often exceeds 475,000 visitors each year. It is the least visited state in the United States and many travellers often overlook this state. Do not let that deter you however, because this beautiful state will allow you to enjoy numerous outdoor attractions and wonderful landscapes. There are a lot of opportunities in this largely unexplored state.

Cities

 * – the capital city of North Dakota and the county seat of Burleigh County.
 * – the heart of North Dakota lake country
 * – the crown of the Southwest, gateway to the Badlands
 * – the largest city in the state, it serves as the economical center of the state.
 * – home to the University of North Dakota
 * – the Buffalo City, pride of the Prairie
 * – the Magic City, the primary city in northwest North Dakota
 * – the geographical center of North America
 * – the biggest city on the upper Missouri, and the epicenter for the state's 2006-2015 oil boom

Other destinations

 * – The park has two units, the North Unit and the South Unit, both distinctly different.
 * – The park has two units, the North Unit and the South Unit, both distinctly different.

Understand
"I grow very fond of this place, and it certainly has a desolate, grim beauty of its own, that has a curious fascination for me."

- Theodore Roosevelt

The northern counterpart of South Dakota is known as the "Peace Garden State". It is the 19th largest state and the fourth most sparsely populated state, having 780,000 residents in 2022.

Early history
Very little is known about North Dakota's early history. It is widely believed and agreed upon that much of the area that now comprises North Dakota was habited by Native Americans and they are believed to have resided here for thousands of years.

The 1800s
It wasn't until the 1800s when European immigrants started coming in large numbers. Ethnic Germans from Russia were drawn by the prospect of owning cheap and plentiful land in North Dakota, and Norwegian farmers were drawn to the state's fertile land. To this day, Norwegians and Russian-Germans (also known as Volga Germans) are the two largest ethnic groups in the state.

In 1889, North Dakota was admitted to the union as a state.

Tourist information

 * North Dakota Tourism

By plane
Scheduled airline service is available in Bismarck, Devils Lake , Dickinson , Fargo , Grand Forks , Jamestown , Minot , and Williston.

 * Allegiant Air serves Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks and Minot.
 * American Eagle offers daily flights to Bismarck and Fargo.
 * Delta Airlines/Delta Connection offers daily flights to Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and Williston.
 * Frontier Airlines serves only Fargo.
 * United Express offers daily flights to all destinations except Grand Fork and Dickinson.

By car
Two Interstate highways connect the state with adjacent states:

 * Interstate 29 connects North Dakota to South Dakota and Canada. The highway connects two major cities: Grand Forks and Fargo.

 * Interstate 94 connects North Dakota to Minnesota and Montana. The highway connects the following major cities: Fargo, Bismarck, and Jamestown.

Additional major highways:
 * US 85, 83, 281, and 81 are some of the major highways.

 * For those arriving from Canada, 24-hour customs stations are available at SK 39 (U.S. 52) in Portal, MB 10 (U.S. 281) in Peace Gardens, and MB 75 (I-29) in Pembina.

By train
Amtrak serves Fargo, Grand Forks, Devils Lake, Rugby, Minot, Stanley and Williston via its once daily Empire Builder train that runs between Chicago and Portland/Seattle.

By car
Given the vast area of the state, the best way to get around quickly is by car. A trip to Jamestown from Bismarck would normally take you two hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions. All major cities (Bismarck, Fargo, and Jamestown) are accessible from each other because they share one highway in common: Interstate 94 (I-94). You can easily cover all of them just by driving down this highway.

This is not to say that it's entirely safe, however. Wandering livestock and extremely harsh weather conditions (especially during the winters) can make driving on North Dakotan roads rather challenging. If you don't have any experience driving in harsh conditions and if you don't know how to operate a sturdy vehicle (for example, pickup trucks), it is recommended that you do not drive around by yourself. It's always better to go with someone who knows the area.

If you plan on driving in North Dakota, a useful resource to refer to is this website. Refer to it often if you plan on driving during the winters.

By bus

 * Jefferson Bus Line (888-864-2832) has a route that goes along I-29 between Fargo and Kansas City (via Omaha, Sioux Falls and points in between). They also have an east-west on I-94 between Billings and Minneapolis (via Glendive, Bismarck, Fargo, St Cloud, and points in between). Tickets can be booked directly with Jefferson Lines or on Greyhound.com (as an agent for Jefferson Lines).
 * New Town Bus Line (701-421-9133) starts in New Town, ND, heads east on Highway 23 up to Minot and then back to New Town.

By public transportation
Information on North Dakota Transit can be found here and through North Dakota's tourism board's website link.

By plane
The only intrastate flight within the state is the United Express flight segment (operated by Skywest Airlines) between Jamestown (JML) and Devil's Lake (DVL). The same flight continues from Jamestown to Denver.

Talk
The main language of the state is English. As is the case with all of the states in the United States, North Dakota has several unique phrases and colloquial expressions.

German is spoken in some small villages around the state, but its use has largely diminished. It's spoken by the elderly, but not by the younger generation.

Some commonly used expressions/words in North Dakota:
 * Uff da – Typically used as a response to something surprising.
 * You betcha – Typically used when you agree with someone.
 * Sun dog – Typically used when it's really cold outside.
 * Pop – Soft drink, Soda

See

 * Geographical Center of North America in Rugby.
 * KVLY-TV Tower 2 miles (3 km) west of Blanchard, is the tallest radio tower, and formerly the tallest man-made structure on earth at 2,063 ft (629 m).
 * The State Capitol grounds in Bismarck, which feature the 20-story Capitol, the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum, and open parkland.
 * The Enchanted Highway between the Gladstone exit on I-94 and the small town of Regent on the Cannonball River in southwest ND.
 * The Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail which runs through Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington.

Do
An Education Vacation in agriculture is one recommended way to experience North Dakota Agri-Tourism. Discover North Dakota's Ranches, Farms and Gardens, see it all from the seat of a saddle, or just stop and take a moment to appreciate the waving greens, the golden amber waves of grain, and the immense modern farm equipment. Though the individual tribes have distinct and different origins, histories and languages, Plains Indians are united by core beliefs and values that emanate from respect for the earth and an understanding of humankind's relationship with nature. Visitors are welcome to explore the reservations and discover the beauty of Indian culture. With 17 State Parks and Recreation Areas and countless local camping facilities, North Dakota is a great place to camp. There is abundant activity available in every park. Pack the s'mores, sing some campfire songs, and keep an eye towards the sky in case the Northern Lights join your party.
 * Adventure Activities: Turn off that reality TV and visit a place with real life adventure: North Dakota. When it comes to outdoor activities, North Dakota is hard to beat. Golf the Lewis & Clark Trail, sail across Lake Sakakawea. No matter if it's bicycle or binoculars - an adventure awaits you. Search for activities like hiking, biking, canoeing, camping, boating, skiing, snowmobiling, golfing, wildlife viewing and horseback riding.
 * Agri-tourism: In North Dakota, one may answer a lot of questions about agriculture - like "Where does milk come from?" and "How do you make spaghetti?" Here, you can live out a real ranch vacation, become a cowboy
 * American Indian Experience: They are the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, the Yanktonai, Sisseton, Wahpeton, Hunkpapa and other Dakotah/Lakotah (commonly known as the Sioux) Tribes, along with the Pembina Chippewa, Cree and Métis.
 * Archaeology and Paleontology: Millions of years before North Dakota was a state, prehistoric creatures were living out their legendary adventure. Today, you can visit - and excavate at - fossil-bearing sites ranging in age from 30-years to 73-million years.
 * Arts and Entertainment: Concerts, festivals, galleries and more abound in North Dakota. See top-name acts at a casino, or at one of the larger venues, like the FargoDome, Bismarck Civic Center, Minot all Seasons Arena or Grand Forks’ Alerus Center, Ralph Englestad Arena and Chester Fritz Auditorium. Art, created by or simply appreciated by North Dakotans, can be experienced in many ways. Check out the North Dakota Council on the Arts for a good overview. You’ll also want to visit the North Dakota Museum of Art, Plains Art Museum, and the many art and craft fairs you’ll find on the local CVB Web sites.
 * Biking: North Dakota’s varied topography offers mountain bikers many choices for riding. From the one million acres (400,000 hectares) of rugged buttes in the Little Missouri National Grassland to the rolling hills of the Turtle Mountains, North Dakota has many areas for mountain biking, including the Maah Daah Hey Trail waiting to be discovered.
 * Birding: nearly four hundred species of birds inhabit or visit North Dakota.
 * Boating: North Dakota’s lakes and rivers are well equipped with boat landings and great reasons to get out on the water, like legendary fishing.
 * Camping: Whether you're traveling by luxury RV or with a pup-tent in the back of the pick-up, camping adventure awaits you at 1,300 North Dakota campsites.
 * Canoeing/Kayaking: North Dakota’s canoeing waters are as diverse as the state itself. Whether canoeists prefer the scenery presented by agricultural plains, rugged Badlands, thickly wooded slopes or gentle river bluffs, North Dakota’s rivers offer a challenge to beginners and experienced paddlers alike.
 * Casinos/Gaming: You'll find fun and excitement throughout the year in North Dakota's casinos. Enjoy a variety of gaming experiences, fine dining and accommodations. Visit casino Web sites for concert and event listings.
 * Education Vacation: One of the fastest growing travel trends is in education vacations. This is an opportunity for visitors to customize their North Dakota experience - have fun and learn new skills - in a variety of areas, including:
 * Agriculture
 * American Indian Studies
 * Art
 * Birding
 * Culinary Arts
 * Living History
 * ND Immigrant Cultures
 * Paleontology
 * Energy: When you drive to the store or flip on a light switch, the energy has to come from somewhere. See how energy is produced in North Dakota by visiting the energy related attractions.
 * Family Fun: Building memories - that's what family fun is all about. In North Dakota your family can follow the trail of Lewis & Clark, dig for fossils buried for millions of years, splash down at a water park, tell ghost stories around a campfire ... and that's just the first day!
 * Fishing: Fishing is good, with lakes and rivers with game fish like northern pike, walleye, perch, trout and bass. Water levels, species diversity, fish sizes and populations are up.
 * Forts: Experience North Dakota's legendary military history through a visit to a fort or state historic site. As settlers pushed west, forts were established to provide protection and central meeting places. The North Dakota State Historical Society operates most historic forts in the state.
 * Geocaching: high tech treasure hunting with the help of a Global Positioning System (GPS), provides another opportunity for outdoor adventure the whole family can enjoy. The North Dakota State Parks System offers a wide variety of natural and historic settings, landmarks and architectural works, to make this state a great getaway for an enjoyable geocaching experience.
 * Golfing: North Dakota has more golf courses per capita than any other state in the nation, almost 100 courses total.
 * Hiking: Public lands in North Dakota, including state parks, wildlife management areas and refuges, grasslands, national parks, historic sites and recreation areas are open for day hiking of various lengths. Hiking sites include trails with historic or natural features specifically marked for self-guided interpretive walks. These short hikes are excellent for individuals, families or large group learning experiences.
 * Horse and Auto Racing: If you have a need for speed, there's nothing like a Friday night spent cheering for your favorite driver - or horse at the North Dakota Horse Park in Fargo.
 * Hunting: Hunters can decoy ducks or geese in the morning, chase pheasants in the afternoon and be back in their decoy spread again for the evening flight. Or they can bowhunt for pronghorn and mule deer in the drop-dead gorgeous Badlands. North Dakota is known as the duck factory in the lower 48 states, boasting some of the best duck hunting in the country for birds raised within its borders – and some of the best hunting for birds making southern migrations from nesting grounds in Canada. Upland hunters come from around the country for a shot at ring-necked pheasants, sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge. Big-game hunts are available, too, including for deer.
 * Lewis and Clark Trail: Captain Meriwether Lewis called them "the handsomest plains I ever beheld." North Dakota still boasts breathtaking scenery and its hospitality continues to leave a lasting impression on visitors. Lewis and Clark did all of the hard work, charting and exploring the West, and now you can have all of the fun! Take your own journey to a powwow, drape yourself in a buffalo robe or meander through remains of the home of Sakakawea, the Lewis & Clark Expedition's legendary Indian interpreter and guide.
 * Motorcycling: There is nothing quite like motorcycling in North Dakota. Great highways dissect 70,000 square miles (180,000 square kilometers) of rural bliss and take riders effortlessly between the state’s larger cities. You won’t find a lot of things here that you do elsewhere: smog, crime, traffic, headaches. But you will find things here you won’t find anywhere else: the nicest people, the North Dakota Badlands, Pembina Gorge, rolling hills and grasslands and the wide open farmland of the Red River Valley.
 * RVing: On highway, there are 350 miles (560 km) of scenic byways and backways to lead you to some of the “hidden gems.” Create your legendary adventure by way of national park sites, state parks, city and county campgrounds, prairies, Badlands, grasslands and valleys.  How about discovering a museum made out of rock; or hike into a petrified forest; or discover a young Teddy Roosevelt’s cabin.
 * Scenic Drives: take a break from it all and cruise on one of North Dakota's many scenic drives.
 * Sporting Teams: Teams include: Northern League Baseball RedHawks Baseball (Fargo), NBA D-League Basketball Wizards Basketball (Bismarck), NAHL Hockey Bobcats Hockey (Bismarck), USHL Hockey Fargo Force (Fargo)
 * Western Experience: North Dakota is often known as the place to visit for a "Real American" experience.
 * Wineries: North Dakota is home to four wineries and one vineyard, and the popularity of North Dakota wines is growing. From pumpkin to rhubarb, apple to honey, there's a wide variety. Tours and tasting is available at all locations.

Stay safe
In terms of personal safety, North Dakota is an extremely safe state. Crime rates tend to be low.

Severe weather
Perhaps the biggest danger you can face is the weather. North Dakota often experiences extreme temperatures, which should come as no surprise as the state has a continental climate. The weather can be quite nasty, so prepare and plan accordingly.

Urban concerns
Industrial oil development, mainly taking place in the area between Minot, Williston, and Dickinson, has made most highways unsafe for bicyclists. Crime has significantly increased, especially in Williston.

Rural concerns
The poisonous rattlesnake can be stumbled on by mistake. Rattlesnakes should be avoided and never disturbed. Bison may be beautiful but a male bison can run faster than you can and may trample or maul if it feels threatened. Always maintain a safe distance (30 yards or more) from large animals. Coyotes have been known to venture into campgrounds and can have rabies. Otherwise coyotes won't threaten humans. Pets should be brought indoors at night. A dog can become a snack to a group of coyotes, especially small dogs. Deer are known to cross roads all over North Dakota so drive aware of deer crossings, especially in the early morning or dusk hours.

Never forget that North Dakota's peaceful valleys can give way to challenging ravines and trenches, raging rivers and clay roads, cactus and thorns. A walk around Lake Sakakawea's beautiful shores can turn into a rescue mission, since lakes are deep shorelines are sometimes unsteady. Rivers can be unforgiving; a child left on a sandbar playing might wander into the swift currents of the Missouri. Life-jackets are a must. In winter people have frozen to death by getting lost on snow-covered fields or roads. Lakes can ice over in the winter, but be sure you know the thickness and quality of the ice before venturing out. (Ask a local if unsure.) Never explore North Dakota in the winter without proper gear. Blaze orange clothing during deer season is a must when hiking or hunting.

Much of North Dakota's most beautiful scenery is untouched. You are likely to be perfectly safe in North Dakota's cities and on highways. But when you travel away from the highways to reach the great scenery North Dakota has to offer, be sure to have a travel companion (or notify a trusted person of your travel plans) and plenty of supplies in case you become stranded. Since North Dakota is one of America's least populated states, there is a lot of untouched land for you to explore.

Respect
As aforementioned, North Dakota receives very few tourists. You may very easily attract attention from the locals if they find out you're a visitor. Don't be surprised at this, just go with the flow. Chances are, the locals might be very curious about you, and want to get to know you!

Since its creation, North Dakota has been a largely conservative state. The Republican Party is the most influential political party here. Be mindful of that when engaging in political discussions with the locals.

Religion plays an important role in the lives of many North Dakotans. Always be respectful when discussing religion.

Avoid comparing the state with its southern counterpart; North Dakotans are very proud of their state and may not appreciate such comments.

North Dakotans often love to have a chat about the weather, and people even bring it in up in casual conversations.

Do not associate the state with the movie Fargo. Many locals believe the movie portrays the state inaccurately.

North Dakota is considered a "sacred land" to Native Americans, and there are many sites in the state that are important to Native American history, culture, and spirituality. When visiting a Native American reservation, behave appropriately. If you don't know something, just ask; someone will be more than happy to explain.

The Lakota tribe (one of the tribes in the state) has had a history of conflict with European settlers, and some of them feel that outsiders (non tribe members) have absolutely no reason to be here. Always be civil and polite if drawn into a sensitive discussion with the Lakotas.

Go next
If you're leaving North Dakota by car, you may wish to take Interstate 29 north to Winnipeg, or Interstate 94 east to Minneapolis. The adventurous might choose to drive US 85 straight through the Badlands south to Sturgis, either to see the motorcycle rally, or en route to Mount Rushmore National Memorial and other attractions of the Badlands and Black Hills.

 * Minnesota - Known for cold winters and its ten thousand lakes, North Dakota's eastern neighbor is an ideal destination for wilderness enthusiasts and shoppers destined for the Twin Cities and Mall of America.
 * South Dakota - Home to such natural and cultural wonders as Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park and Mount Rushmore, the other Dakota offers a surprising amount for travelers to see and do.
 * Montana - North Dakota's western neighbor is often called Big Sky Country for its famed big, blue skies, but the amazing natural landscape varies from open plain regions to the east and the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains in the west.
 * Saskatchewan - Located to the northwest of North Dakota, the southern portion of Saskatchewan is predominantly prairie (with a reputation for being very flat) known for its seemingly endless fields of wheat.
 * Manitoba - Sharing a border in the northeast of the state, Manitoba is known for its lakes, prairies, agriculture, culture and history.

title: North Dakota


text:
North Devon

The Wikivoyage region of North Devon is the area of Devon that lies to the north of Dartmoor and west of the River Exe.

Towns

 * — ferry to Lundy
 * — ferry to Lundy
 * — inside Exmoor National Park
 * — ferry to Lundy
 * — inside Exmoor National Park
 * — inside Exmoor National Park

Other destinations

 * has great scenery. Most of the parks in Somerset.
 * is an island wildlife reserve.

Understand
Wikivoyage defines North Devon as the area that is bounded by the Bristol Chanel to the north, the River Tamar and Cornwall to the west, Dartmoor National Park and Exeter to the south and the River Exe to the south-east. Somerset lies to the north-east with the border between the region and Somerset passing through the Exmoor National Park. Much of the region, apart from Exmoor is good agricultural country with a scattering of villages interspersed with picturesque market towns. The region’s industry is oriented towards the support of agriculture and the processing of agricultural products.

A number of fishing villages are to be found on the north coast of the region which has also become a popular holiday resort, though wilder in nature than the Devon South Coast.

By road
Visitors to the region from London should either take the M4 to Bristol and then follow the M5. Once they are in Devon, they should leave the M5 at a suitable point, depending on their destination. Alternatively, they can take the M3 from London to Junction 8 and then the A303 as far as Ilminster, the A358 to Taunton and then follow the M5 as described earlier. The distance from Central London to Barnstaple is about 320 km (200 miles) and should take about 4 hours (plus stops).

Visitors who are travelling westwards along the coast should take the A35 from Bournemouth and Dorchester and at Honiton join the A30. Once they reach the M5 at Exeter, they can go either northwards for Tiverton and Barnstaple or southwards to rejoin the A30 for Okehampton.

Visitors travelling from Cornwall have the choice of using the A39 which follows the Bristol Channel coast or the A30 which passes through the southern part of the region.

By rail
Rail travellers can either travel to Exeter and catch a local train service or use road transport (bus or hire car) from Tiverton Parkway (on the Great Westerm lines from Penzance and Exeter to London Paddington and Birmingham.

By air
Exeter Airport (IATA:EXT) has regular scheduled direct flights from Aberdeen, Alicante, Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guernsey, Jersey, Málaga, and Newcastle. A greater variety of international flights operates in summer, but these are mostly aimed at jetting locals to the Med.

By bus
The region has an extensive bus network which is aimed at local travel, so can be slow. Many services are subsidised by the local authorities and are therefore subject to the whims of local politicians who are trying serve their voters as well as balance the books. Up to date information can be found from the Devon County Council website.

By train
This region is served by an hourly service between Barnstaple and Exeter and another hourly service between Okehampton and Exeter. The two services share the same line between Crediton and Exeter.

Eat
The larger towns in the region often have a hotel and/or restaurant alongside fish-and-chip shops or Indian or Chinese take-away outlets. Virtually every community has a pub where meals can be bought at reasonable prices. Please visit the entries for individual towns to find specific establishments

Stay safe
Even though the crime rate in Devon is low, visitors should still take the normal precautions to remove temptations for petty pilfering. Visitors should also be aware that drunken behaviour increases during the holiday months.

Check the safety of beaches before entering the water. Many beaches have life guards on duty during the holiday season. It is also advisable to make local checks as to any pollution that might have been discharged into the sea.

Go next
You can explore Dartmoor, Exeter, or the English Riviera and South Devon which are to the south of the region, North Cornwall is to the west of the region while Somerset, including the rest of Exmoor is to the East of the region.

Dartmoor National Park is a swathe of moorland to the south of the region.

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

title: North Devon


text:
Northeast (Brazil)

Whereas elegant Rio de Janeiro and cosmopolitan São Paulo may be the best-known places in Brazil, the Northeast, or Nordeste is one of the liveliest - a land of sunny beaches, colonial towns, vibrating street parties, music and friendly people.

States
Nine states comprise the Northeast region, counting along the coast from the south:

Despite being grouped together, culturally and geographically speaking some of those states can be very far apart from each other.

Cities

 * - the pleasant capital of Ceará and close to several spectacular beaches
 * - the capital of Paraíba, with the easternmost point in the Americas
 * - One of Brazil's most famous pilgrimage sites, located in rural Ceará.
 * - the beautiful capital city of Alagoas, known as the "Waters' Paradise"
 * - Founded on the 25th of December (Natal means Christmas in Portuguese), and the capital of Rio Grande do Norte
 * - Nicknamed "The Brazilian Venice", it is built on several islands linked by many bridges. Rich in history, art and folklore. Do not miss neighboring Olinda and Porto de Galinhas. The city is also a gateway to the amazing archipelago of Fernando de Noronha.
 * (Salvador da Bahia) - the capital of Bahia, rich in African influence and colonial architecture
 * - a major city, capital of Maranhão and halfway between Amazon and Northeast.
 * - Considered by some to be the hottest city in Brazil, it is the capital of Piauí and a gateway to exploring the pre-historic remains in Serra da Capivara.

Other destinations

 * — archipelago off the coast of Bahia
 * — tropical island paradise in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. Is protected as a Marine National Park since 1997 and a World Heritage Site
 * — an island right by the main mouth of the Parnaíba river
 * — stunning white sand dunes
 * — created as a national park mainly because of the paintings, although most viritors find more pleasure in rock formations and wildlife
 * — a protected area and World Heritage site, contains the oldest prehistoric rock paintings in the Americas
 * — a protected area and World Heritage site, contains the oldest prehistoric rock paintings in the Americas

Understand
The Northeast is the sunniest of Brazilian regions. Although this may mean long periods of drought for the mainly agricultural inland of some states (and thus crop losses and widespread poverty), the climate also provides almost year-round opportunities for beach-going and other outdoor activities. Long favoured by Brazilian holiday makers, the Northeast has also become increasingly popular with European travellers, especially from Portugal, Spain and Italy due to language and cultural similarities.

The region was also the original site of European colonization in Brazil. The first Europeans landed in Bahia, set up the country's first capital in Salvador, and over the next centuries brought millions of slaves from Africa to the region. Added to the indigenous population, the result is a fascinating rich cultural mix that makes up some often unknown faces of Brazilian culture.

Talk

 * oxente (oh shench) or oxe (oshe) :Sounds like "Oh Shit", but actually it is an interjection. It can mean admiration, surprise or a misunderstanding.
 * vôte: a surprise.
 * quengo : head
 * frango :homosexual (only in Pernambuco)
 * butico: butt

Get in
The largest airports are Salvador, Recife and Fortaleza, which provide easy access to most of Brazil. Some international flights too, but nothing compared to Rio or São Paulo. The international airport in Natal receives domestic flights, and a flight from Lisbon (as of March 2021).

Local dishes

 * Buchada de Bode: made with the white entrails of a goat, with rice and farofa on the side. Not for the weak of stomach, this is considered a dish of national pride.
 * Carne de Sol (sun-dried meat): beef jerky, a very traditional cearense food item, eaten in a wide array of styles, often splashed with clarified butter
 * Escondidinho: dish of shredded beef jerky (or shredded chicken breast, or shrimps) topped with mashed cassava, seasoned with clarified butter and gratin with coalho cheese
 * Macaxeira frita: cassava fries, frequently enjoyed as a late night snack
 * Moqueca: seafood stew made with coconut milk
 * Rapadura: brick of dried raw garapa (sugarcane juice). Very caloric and durable and portable and rich in vitamin C. Traditional cowboy fare
 * Sarapatel: made with the red entrails and blood of a goat or pig. Another dish not for the weak of stomach.

Local beverages

 * Açaí: thick creamy purple juice from the grated fruit of the açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea); particularly tasty when served with crushed cashew nuts (castanha de caju), whipped with banana and honey.
 * Cajuína: delicious clarified juice from the pulpy part of the cashew fruit, sold in glass bottles

title: Northeast (Brazil)


text:
Northeast (Venezuela)

Northeast region of Venezuela

Sucre

 * (Capital)

Anzoátegui

 * Islas Borrachas

Sucre

 * (Península de Paria) also a national park.
 * (Parque nacional Turuépano)
 * , north of Cumana, are home to some famous salt flats and mines
 * (Fuente Termal de Poza Azul) Hot springs

By plane
José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport is the main airport of Anzoátegui state and is located in Barcelona. In the city of Anaco, there is also the National Airport of Anaco, in the same way in the city of San Tomé, there is the Don Edmundo Barrios Airport.

By boat
The company Conferry and Gran Cacique Express offer the service from Margarita Island (Nueva Esparta State) to the city of Puerto La Cruz and Guant. There are boats that allow the transfer of cars, however there are boats that only offer the passenger trip.

By bus
The buses from many states of Venezuela go to the Puerto La Cruz Terminal. There are companies such as Aeroexpresos Ejecutivos in the Conferry Terminal, in which you can arrive from Barquisimeto, Caracas, Valencia and Maracay.

See

 * Venezuela's most secluded beaches on the Paría Peninsula
 * Salt flats on the Araya Peninsula
 * The golden red sands of Playa Colorada in Mochima National Park
 * Playa Medina - a picture postcard perfect palm tree lined beach in Sucre

title: Northeast (Venezuela)


text:
Northeast Afghanistan

This section covers the Northeastern portion of Afghanistan.

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

Cities

 * — a lovely town on the bank of Kokcha River. Nearby is the Lake Shewa, one of the sources of the Amu Darya
 * — a town with large Uzbek and Tajik majorities

Other destinations

 * — a monumental Hellenistic city at the strategic confluence of the Oxus river and the Kokcha river, destroyed by the nomadic Yuezhi around 145 BC
 * (also called Sar-i Chashma) — the location of huge temples and statues made during the rule of the Kushans.
 * – windy green plains producing much of the food for central Afghanistan, badly hit by the wars
 * – one of the most remote areas on Earth, right up in the Hindu Kush mountains
 * – the Wakhan National Park; river valleys surrounded by very rugged mountain country, squished between Tajikistan and Pakistan
 * – river valley popular for its mountains
 * Market town at the border of Ishkashim village, Tajikistan

Official Provinces

 * Badakhshan Province, part of the ancient kingdom of Badakhshan; the rest of it is in Tajikistan
 * Baghlan Province
 * Kunduz Province
 * Nuristan Province
 * Panjshir Province
 * Takhar Province

Get in
, . Flights from Fayzabad, Kabul by East Horizon Airlines and Kam Air

title: Northeast Afghanistan


text:
Northeast Algeria

Northeast Algeria is the extensive mountains and high plains region east of Algiers.

Cities

 * — one of Algeria's oldest cities
 * — the centre of the Algerian and Tunisian coral fisheries, near the Tunisian border
 * — one of Algeria's oldest cities
 * — the centre of the Algerian and Tunisian coral fisheries, near the Tunisian border
 * — one of Algeria's oldest cities
 * — the centre of the Algerian and Tunisian coral fisheries, near the Tunisian border

Other destinations

 * – the ruins of a Roman city built on a hillside
 * - extensive ruins of a Roman city

Get in
Northeast Algeria is well-connected by rail from other parts of the country. There are several trains per day from the capital, Algiers, and many other cities with national operator SNTF. Unfortunately, as of 2021, there's no passenger train service from nearby Tunisia.

title: Northeast Algeria


text:
Northeast China

Northeast China (东北; Dōngběi) was historically known as Manchuria. In ancient times, this was an area of steppes and fierce nomadic tribes, outside the Great Wall built to protect China from those tribes. In 1644, the Manchus from this region crossed the wall, conquered China, and founded the Qing Dynasty which lasted until 1911. For most of that period, Han Chinese were excluded from Manchuria.

From the 19th century until the end of the Second World War, Manchuria was the main prize in a complex territorial squabble mainly between China, Japan and Russia. After that, the area came firmly under Chinese control, began to be called Dongbei (the Northeast), and became China's "rust belt", the area where various five-year plans put most of the heavy industry. Although the largest ethnic group is now Han Chinese, there are substantial Manchu, Mongol and Korean minorities.

Since the "reform and opening up" policies of Deng Xiaoping went into effect in the late 1970s, this area has seen considerable economic growth but, except perhaps for the area around the region's main port, Dalian, growth here has not been as furious as in Southern provinces.

Cities

 * (鞍山; Ānshān), Liaoning Province — a heavy industry area but contains Qianshan National Park and other major tourist sites.
 * , Jilin Province — former Manchukuo State capital
 * , Liaoning Province — beautiful port city, once a Russian naval base
 * , Heilongjiang Province — Russian-influenced architecture, winter festival
 * (吉林; Jílín), Jilin Province — home of the Rimmed Trees of Jilin, one of the four major natural wonders of China
 * , Liaoning Province — former Manchu capital

Other destinations

 * (Liaoning Province) — river in a cavern
 * (Jilin Province) — home to Heaven Lake
 * (Heilongjiang Province) — nickname of Mirror Lake
 * (Liaoning Province) — nicknamed the Treasure Pearl of North China
 * (Heilongjiang Province) — nature reserve and health spa destination
 * — over 100 swamps and a wide range of wildlife

Understand
Even if the Chinese understand that there is civilization beyond the Great Wall, most tourists do not. The lands to the northeast of Beijing represent some of the least traveled and most challenging regions of China.

History
The region was historically known as Manchuria, was inhabited by fierce nomadic tribes, and was not considered part of China proper. Over the centuries, several of these tribes crossed the Great Wall and took over parts of China. Much of the area was under the control of the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo (37 BC - AD 668), before it was defeated by the combined forces of China's Tang Dynasty and the Korean kingdom of Silla. The Khitans ruled much of Northern China as the Liao Dynasty, 907-1125. Then the Jurchens (ancestors of the modern Manchus) took over as the Jin Dynasty 1125-1234. During this whole period, the Song Dynasty (ethnically Han) held the south but could not dislodge the Khitans or Jurchens in the north. After that, the Mongols (also nomads from beyond the Great Wall, but further West) conquered more-or-less everything between Korea and Poland — including the Jurchen, the Song and the remnants of the Khitan Empire — and ruled China as the Yuan Dynasty, 1271-1368. Then the Ming Dynasty (ethnically Han) took over for about 300 years. See Imperial China for more on the various dynasties.

In 1616, Nurhaci united the various Jurchen tribes and founded the Later Jin Dynasty. His son Hong Taiji changed the name of the ethnic group from "Jurchen" to "Manchu" in 1635, before changing the name of the dynasty from Later Jin to Qing in 1636. In 1644, under the leadership of Hong Taiji's son, Fulin, the Qing Dynasty conquered China, with Fulin adopting the title "Shunzhi Emperor". The Qing Dynasty ruled China for over 250 years, until the revolution that created the Republic of China in 1911. During most of that time, Manchuria was off limits to Han Chinese but that prohibition broke down as the Qing began losing power in the late 1800s. Today, the Han are by far the largest ethnic group in the region. However, the area still has a mysterious quality separate from the rest of China, and substantial Manchu and Korean minorities remain in the region. While the Manchus have largely been assimilated into the Han and lost their language, the Koreans maintain a distinct ethnic identity and speak the Korean language.

From the 19th century until the end of the Second World War, Manchuria was the main prize in an exceedingly complex squabble over territory and influence; China, Japan and Russia were the main players, but other Western powers and local Manchu warlords were also involved. Russia sought dominance in the region, taking territory along the border which they still hold, taking Port Arthur (now called Dalian) as a naval base, building a railroad, and generally exerting great influence; the failing Qing dynasty was unable to effectively oppose them. The British and Japanese tried to limit Russian influence, with mixed success. Disputes over Manchuria were a major reason for the Sino-Japanese War in the 1890s and for the Russo-Japanese War in 1905-06; Japan won both wars decisively. Russian influences continued in later times as well. After 1917 many White Russians fled to this region, or to Shanghai, and after 1949 the communist government brought in many Russian advisors. Trade and tourism continue, and some of the locals speak Russian, while Heilongjiang is still home to a small ethnic Russian community.

The Qing dynasty fell in 1911. From 1915 to 1928, Manchuria was ruled by the Manchu warlord Zhang Zuolin, "the old marshal". At first he favoured the restoration of the Qing, but eventually he acknowledged the authority of the Nationalist government. He was therefore assassinated by the Japanese. His son, "the young marshal", fled to the Chinese interior with most of his army and became a prominent anti-Japanese fighter. At one point (the "Xi'an incident") he kidnapped Chiang Kai-shek and forced him to work out a truce with the Communists so both could fight the Japanese.

In the 1930s, Japan grabbed Manchuria and a chunk of Mongolia, and set up a puppet state called Manchuko, with the last Qing Emperor (deposed in China in 1911) as the powerless figurehead. The film The Last Emperor gives an interesting account of this period.

As elsewhere, Japanese occupation was brutal; in particular millions in Manchuria were conscripted into slave labour. The Japanese tried to expand further from their Manchurian base, but they were beaten on the Russian border near Khasan in 1938, then soundly thrashed by a Russian/Mongolian force at Khalkin Gol when they tried to move into Mongolia in 1939. After that, they changed their strategy and struck South instead of trying to grab Mongolia and Siberia. However, even with their focus elsewhere, they did hold Manchuria firmly until the end of the war.

In 1945, Soviet forces invaded and took Manchuria, along with parts of Mongolia and Korea. They then turned most of Manchuria (minus some Northern areas and the Liaodong Peninsula) over to Chiang Kai Shek's Kuomintang government of China, but Chiang soon lost it to Mao's forces. After 1949, with infrastructure already in place from its former masters, Russia and Japan, the Chinese government made the Northeast the center of their efforts at development on the Soviet model, with five-year plans and a concentration on heavy industry. The region is still sometimes referred to as "the rust belt".

Since Deng Xiaoping's "reform and opening up" in the late 70s other regions — such as the Pearl River Delta in the South and the East China area around Shanghai — have developed enormously, based mainly on trade and light industry. The Northeast has many large state-owned enterprises, much heavy industry, and things such as steel mills and armaments factories considered critical to national interests; all are harder to adapt for the export trade than industries like clothing and electronics which dominate in the South. The Northeast has therefore not developed as spectacularly as some other regions, but it is doing very well indeed. As elsewhere, the coastal regions have some of the fastest development; in the Northeast, Dalian is one of the most prosperous cities.

In 2021, a new study suggested that Northeast China was the place of origin of the Altaic peoples, which includes the Japanese, Koreans, Manchus, Mongols and Turkic peoples.

Geography
For most Chinese, the North East probably brings to mind images of factory workers with bright smiles and a cheery attitude instead of wild men riding on horseback from an earlier age. Despite the industrial buildup, North East can claim China's largest natural forest area, its most uncontaminated grassland area, and one of its most spiritual lakes (Tian Chi).

Tourism
The region is trying for a makeover since the industrialization of the region is falling apart. It is not known as the rust belt without just cause. Tourism, it is hoped, will help pump money back into the region and keep the local economies afloat. The Northeast is still difficult to visit but, because it is not as hyped as other parts of China, is still fresh and free of the tourism problems of other parts of China.

Dialect
Mandarin is the native language of most people in Northeast China, though there can be substantial dialectal variations between areas. This can make it a little tricky to understand if you have just learnt standard Mandarin, though if you are a fluent speaker, asking the other person to speak slowly will usually allow them to be understood. That said, most younger people can speak standard Mandarin if required, and the dialects are not much different in terms of pronunciation to standard Mandarin (rather very similar); the main challenge are the unique phrases that always confuse people (see below). There are substantial groups whose first language is Korean or Mongolian, and Russian is fairly common as a second language. Speakers of these minority languages are generally bilingual in their language and Mandarin. Sadly, Manchu is now a moribund language, and is only spoken natively by a few elderly people in isolated villages, virtually all of whom are also able to speak Mandarin. As elsewhere in China, English skills are not widespread but some people speak it quite well.

International
There are international airports at
 * Dalian, Liaoning Province - international flights from Tokyo and a number of other Japanese cities, Seoul, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, London, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Delhi, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Melbourne and Sydney. Domestic flights from most major cities.
 * Changchun, Jilin Province - international flights from Tokyo and a few other Japanese cities as well as Seoul. Domestic flights only from the largest cities in the country.
 * Harbin, Heilongjiang Province - international flights from Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Niigata, Seoul and Los Angeles. Domestic flights from a number of cities throughout the country.
 * Shenyang, Liaoning Province - international flights from Seoul, Cheongju, Pyongyang, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Osaka and Tokyo. Domestic flights from most major cities.

Domestic
There are domestic airports at
 * Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province
 * Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province
 * Dandong, Liaoning Province
 * Jilin, Jilin Province
 * Yanji, Jilin Province
 * Jiamusi, Heilongjiang Province

By train
Rail service is extensive throughout the region but when you get off the main lines it slows down considerably. The major problem is that since the northeast is connected with the rest of China by a few main lines, long-distance tickets to other places in China past this bottleneck are few and far between, especially sleeper tickets. High speed trains run to most major cities (Shenyang, Dalian, Changchun, Harbin and etc.) Much faster than buses, cars or ordinary trains with affordable price. The fares of trains in China are much cheaper than most countries in the world.

The three province capitals of Harbin, Changchun and Shenyang can be reached by direct train from most major cities in the country; only from distant places will a change of trains in Beijing be needed. Other cities in the region have connections from Beijing but not many from other places.

Northeast China can be entered from Russia via the train from Vladivostok to Harbin. This is a very slow train doing the not very long journey in 35 hours. This train is not much used, you will have to wait long hours in strange places, and crossing the border is a mess. Another option from Russia is the more well-travelled route from Irkutsk to Harbin. It is also possible to go by train from North Korea to the region.

By bus
Extensive and fairly reliable, can take a lot of time and be very crowded. From nearby provinces the fares will be cheap and the condition of the buses are good but don't expect a more comfortable ride than trains especially during public holidays when the buses may get too crowded. Most buses are safe enough for travelling, but there are always (really often) thieves on them. Sometimes those buses can be overloaded which means a slow and dangerous journey.

By train
As elsewhere in China, there is an extensive rail network. Rail is the main means of inter-city travel for the Chinese themselves, and many visitors travel that way as well. The system now includes fast bullet trains on most major routes; unless your budget is very tight, these are the best way to go — fast, clean and comfortable. The fares for high-speed services are affordable (usually ¥0.4 to ¥0.6 per kilometer) and so as the ordinary trains. Tickets can be bought from the station, ticket booths or the website.

Train travel in China is usually not so hard and fairly comfortable. Timetables and more information can be provided by station staffs or somewhere at the Stations. There are usually catering cars (cānchē 餐车) which provides food services on board, but not so tasty (Especially on high-speed trains which are cooked hours before departure and heated on board) and usually cost more than buying food before you travel.See the main Trains in China page for more details.

By air
All the major cities have airports with good domestic connections; some have international connections as well. However, air travel isn't so cost-efficient compared to trains between most cities in the northeast region in China. (For example, a plane journey from Dalian to Harbin takes around 4.5 hours and ¥500 in Economy class, when high-speed trains takes 4 hours and ¥403.) See the individual city articles for details.

By bus or car
There is also an extensive highway network, much of it very good. Busses go almost anywhere, somewhat cheaper than the trains. See the China article for more. Driving yourself is also possible, but often problematic; see Driving in China.

Landmarks and buildings

 * Russian buildings — most prominent in Harbin and Dalian, reflecting the history of Russian colonial rule in the region
 * Goguryeo Ancient sites — the remains of the ancient kingdom of Goguryeo. The Goguryeo are credited as the ancestors of the Korean people. These sites include including Wunu Mountain City, Guonei City and Wandu Mountain City; 14 imperial tombs; 26 noble tombs; a General's Tomb; and the monument to the 19th Emperor of the Koguryo Kingdom, which are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Most of these are around Tonghua.
 * Puppet Emperor's Palace (偽皇宮 Wei Huang Gong) — the former residence of Puyi, the last emperor of China and the Puppet Emperor of Manchuko on behalf of the Japanese. In the north east of Changchun.
 * Great Wall of China — goes through the area. There are two interesting restored portions at Hushan near Dandong and at Jiumenkou 18 km east of The First Pass Under Heaven at Shanhaiguan near the city of Huludao.
 * Religious structures — famous in the area include Fengguo Temple in Yixian, which possesses the largest single-floor wooden hall in China, Guangji Temple in Jinzhou and Yongfeng Pagoda in Dalian.
 * Ancient cities — remains in the area include Tayingzi Ancient City in Fuxin or Shenyang and Ruins of Gaoli City in Yingkou.

Parks and nature

 * Siberian Tiger Preserve — in the outskirts of Harbin is home to hundreds of tigers and is a must see.
 * Zhaolin Park — in Harbin is home to the city's famous ice sculptures in the winter.
 * Longtou Mountain — these hills contain ancient Tombs including the Mausoleum of Princess Zhenxiao and royal tombs of the Balhae kingdom. It is in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture.
 * Rimmed Trees of Jilin — the trees are extolled as one of the four major natural wonders of China along with the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, the landscape of Jilin and the Stone Forest of Yunnan.
 * Mountains — there are a number worth a visit in the area, including Bijias Mountain in Jinzhou, Yiwulu Mountain in Fuxin, Longshou Mountain in Tieling, Tiesha Mountain in Benxi and Dagu Mountain in Dalian.

Museums and exhibitions

 * Heilongjiang Provincial Museum — in Harbin is not great but big
 * Meteorite Museum — in 1976, Jilin was hit by a heavy Meteorite storm. Many of the stones were collected and placed into this museum. The largest stone weighs 1,775 kg and is thought to be the largest meteorite in existence to date.
 * Imperial Palace or Forbidden city in Shenyang — a along with its bigger cousin in Beijing. Although much smaller, the Shenyang palace rivals that of Beijing in its beauty and distinctive Manchurian architectural styles.
 * Tombs — Three earliest imperial tombs of the Qing Dynasty, built before the Manchu conquest of China proper, are located in Liaoning province. The Yongling mausoleum in Fushun is dedicated to four of Nurhaci's paternal ancestors, while Shenyang is home to the Fuling mausoleum, Nurhaci's tomb, and the Zhaoling mausoleum, the tomb of Nurhaci's son and successor Hong Taiji. All three are s.

Do

 * Festivals — Harbin International Snow and Ice Festivals (from 5 January until warm weather) are the main events in the region and worth planning for if you can stand the cold. Harbin is also home to a beer festival (late August) and a music festival (every two years).  There are also a Ice Lantern Festival in Jilin and a Ice and Snow Festival in Shenyang.
 * Theaters and concert halls — one place to look for these kinds of cultural events is in Zhongshan district in Dalian.
 * Skiing — there are ski resorts in the region: one of the best is in Wofoshan near Jiamusi, Yabuli near Harbin and Riyuexia near Yichun and some are found around Shenyang.
 * Heilongjiang River — cruises on the river from Mohe (the country's northernmost town) and Heihe. It is also possible to swim in the river.
 * Benxi Water Cave — cruise through the cave in Benxi Shuidong National Park near Benxi city. This is the largest water filled cavern in Asia. You can also raft down the nearby river.
 * River rafting — if you are into this kind of thrilling sports, go to Fushun for Honghu Red River Canyon Rafting or Su River Rafting.
 * Beaches — the province has some good ones including Xingcheng Beach in Huludao, Jinshi Beach in Dalian, Dalian Beach in Dalian and Dalian Beach-Lushunkou in Dalian.
 * Hot springs — are found around the region, e.g. in Anshan.
 * Public baths (澡堂 zǎotáng) - The region is known to have more public bathhouses than other parts of the country. These typically include amenities such as an on-site a la carte restaurant, massaging areas, playgrounds and saunas. Be sure to take a shower first, submerge in the large pools, spend some time in the sauna, have a scrubbing (do note it's a bit painful), and take a rinse again in order to follow local customs. It's common to spend the whole afternoon in the bathhouse.

Eat
Northeastern Chinese cuisine is a cuisine blending Northern Han, Manchu and Korean cooking styles. One of the distinguishing characteristics of the cuisine is the use of uncooked fresh vegetables. During the long winter season, pickled Chinese cabbage, which is called "suancai", is preserved and used for cooking. Popular local dishes include:

 * Large dumplings (东北饺子, dongbei jiǎozi) - typically served in large amounts such as 10 or 20.

 * Guobaorou (锅包肉) - deep fried battered sweet and sour pork chops.

 * Zhuroudunfentiao (猪肉炖粉条) - simmered pork with cellophane noodles.

 * Xiaojidunmogu (小鸡炖蘑菇) - chicken with honey fungus.

 * Dongbeiluandun (东北乱炖) - potato, beans, Chinese cabbage, eggplant, wood ear fungus and random vegetables stewed with pork belly.

 * Harbin red sausages (哈尔滨红肠, haerbin hongchang)

 * Disanxian (地三鲜) - fried potato, green pepper and eggplant.

 * Saqima (萨其马) - traditional Manchu sweet made of fluffy strands of fried batter bound together with stiff sugar syrup.

Northeastern Chinese cuisine are known for their larger portions than any other Chinese cuisine.

Stay safe
Staring at the local people in the eye is considered to be a provoking act, so make sure not to do that, though it is fine as long as they are familiar with you or while having a conversation (never do it to a stranger), a lot of people might consider it a challenge and react violently. Be extra-vigilant around the train station areas where thieves often prowl.

title: Northeast China


text:
North East England

North East England has outstanding natural beauty. Hadrian's Wall snakes over dale and hill along the crest of a sharp ridge. Along the coast, windswept castles raise defiant stone fists against invaders and the elements. Northumberland National Park has wild tracts of moorland and dark, dark skies, and the Northern Lights are often seen. Charming small towns include Hexham, Corrbridge, Alnwick and border town Berwick. Durham's old city centre is remarkably well preserved.

The industrial areas for which the North East is famous are re-inventing themselves, Newcastle with Gateshead being the most successful example. This region is no longer a rusty blur on the journey between Yorkshire and Scotland, it's a major area to visit in its own right. Come soon before the rest of the world discovers it.

Understand
The North East is England's most northern and sparsely populated region. The area has a very long and bloody history, due to its proximity to Scotland and has fallen under Scottish hands at least once as the border shifted over time.

It is the region of England that lies east of the Pennines between the River Tees and the Scottish border. It centres around the River Tyne, with Newcastle on the north bank and Gateshead on the south bank, and industrial sprawl south along the coast. Inland lies a string of former coal-mining towns, whose produce fed the ship-building and other heavy industry of the region and was exported worldwide. "Sending coals to Newcastle" used to be a common phrase for a pointless activity, and generations of travellers would have felt the same about visiting the North East for leisure, but there's a lot more to the North East than its industry.

By plane

 * has flights from London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Paris CDG and other UK and European cities. It's on A696 six miles northwest of city centre: frequent Metro trains take 30 min to city centre and the main railway station.
 * Manchester is worth considering for its great range of long-haul flights at competitive prices, avoiding a change in London or Amsterdam. Frequent trains run from the airport to North East England.
 * Teeside near Darlington is small, with scheduled flights only from Amsterdam, Aberdeen, Belfast City and London City. Onward public transport is poor.

By rail
The East Coast mainline runs north from London Kings Cross via York, with direct trains hourly to Darlington (2 hr 20 min), Durham (2 hr 50 min), and Newcastle (3 hr). Other routes from Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and the southwest join at York. The line continues north to Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh. Other lines serve Middlesbrough and Sunderland, and cross the waist of the country from Carlisle.

By bus
National Express and Megabus run from London Victoria to Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Newcastle, with some continuing to Edinburgh and Glasgow. There are also buses from the Midlands, Manchester and Leeds.

By road
The major routes across the region are mostly dual-carriageway. Near the cities they can be congested in rush hour, and on fine Sunday afternoons as city-dwellers head home from the countryside. The main roads are:
 * A1 from the south, passing Darlington, Durham and Newcastle, then continuing to Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh
 * A19 branches off A1 in Yorkshire and runs north nearer the coast, via Middlesbrough and Sunderland and bypassing Newcastle
 * A69 connects Newcastle and Carlisle
 * A66 (several long sections undivided) runs from Darlington over the Pennines to meet M6 at Penrith in the Lake District
 * A68 (an undivided highway) switch-backs across the hills from Darlington to Jedburgh and Edinburgh

By boat
Ferries sail overnight from IJmuiden near Amsterdam to North Shields, 7 miles east of Newcastle.

Get around
Public transport in this region is good along the north-south lowland corridor (connecting London with Scotland) and to the industrial towns near the coast. Towards the hilly west, transport routes follow the river valleys so east-west is straightforward, but you need your own wheels to go north-south across the moors.

By rail
The East Coast Main Line runs north from London via York with stations at Darlington, Durham, Chester-le-Street, Newcastle, Morpeth, Alnmouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed, continuing to Edinburgh. All trains stop at Newcastle, the others are served every hour or so.

Hourly trains run along the coast from Newcastle via Heworth, Sunderland and Seaham to Hartlepool, Stockton and Middlesbrough. In County Durham, a branch line train runs hourly from Darlington to Newton Aycliffe, Shildon and Bishop Auckland.

The scenic Tyne Valley line runs parallel to Hadrian's Wall, from Newcastle via Gateshead, Prudhoe, Hexham, Haydon Bridge and Haltwhistle and onwards across Cumbria to Carlisle.

The Tyne and Wear Metro serves Newcastle and Sunderland. The Yellow Line is a big inverted "@" that runs from Newcastle city centre, east to the coast at North Shields then north to Whitley Bay, before looping back to Newcastle via Gosforth and Jesmond. Its southern tail runs south of the Tyne via Gateshead to South Shields on the coast. The Green Line runs from Newcastle Airport to city centre then southeast to Sunderland and ends at South Hylton.

By road
The road network in the North East is decent, however traffic can build up severely, particularly on approaches to cities and on the A1 and A19 roads. For this reason it is often best to use public transport to get around the region, especially in urban areas.

By bus
The North East has many buses, which are provided by a range of operators. There are some tickets that are only valid on certain operators, so it is worth checking which bus you are getting on. In particular, some bus numbers are used by multiple operators, which can get very confusing. An Explorer Ticket, valid on all bus services across the North East (as well as some in neighboring parts of North Yorkshire and the service to Carlisle), costs £10.50 for an adult for one day.

Most towns and cities have some kind of internal bus route as well as longer range buses that run from town to town. Some of the more useful intra-regional bus routes are:

7: Durham to Darlington 10: Newcastle to Hexham 21: Newcastle to Durham 45: Newcastle to Consett X7: Sunderland to Middlesbrough X10: Newcastle to Middlesbrough X11: Newcastle to Blyth X15: Newcastle to Berwick (fast) X18: Newcastle to Berwick (scenic) X21: Newcastle to Newbiggin by the Sea X21: Newcastle to Stanhope X21: Newcastle to Bishop Auckland X21: Sunderland to Darlington

Some buses take scenic routes, such as the X18, AD122 (a bus for Hadrian's Wall) and even normal buses will still provide views of the picturesque scenery.

By bike
Several cycle routes pass through the area and this can be a quick way to get around the region. In particular, National Cycling Route 1 runs along the coast and is arguably one of the most scenic routes in the country around places such as Bamburgh.

By boat
The Shields Ferry crosses the mouth of the Tyne between South Shields and North Shields every 30 mins, a seven-minute ride. Foot passengers and bikes only; both ferry piers are served by the Metro.

The Tees Transporter Bridge is a weird contraption: it's a gondola slung beneath a slender metal bridge that carries vehicles and others across the river between Middlesbrough (south bank) and Port Clarence, Stockton (north bank).

On foot
The cities of the North East sprawl out, but their areas of interest are usually compact and best explored on foot.

Hadrian's Wall path stretches coast-to-coast from Wallsend to Carlisle. The eastern section is modern, but west of Newcastle the route follows the Roman wall.

The Pennine Way is at the west edge of the region, bordering Cumbria, then turns east for several miles to coincide with Hadrian's wall path. It then resumes its march north to the Cheviots and into Scotland.

Both these long-distance paths have multiple access points suitable for an out-and-back afternoon hike.

Eat
Eating out in North East England is very much dependent on where you are. Fresh fish can be found at many of the coastal towns such as Redcar. Fast food chains, Italian, Indian and French restaurants are all common to most larger towns.

North Easterners pride themselves on serving what they argue is the best traditional English fish and chips. From the largest cities in the region to the smallest villages, the presence of a fish and chip shop and a pub are practically guaranteed.

Drink
You're seldom far from a pub, whether in the city centres or out in the sticks.

The region has a great brewing tradition but its big commercial breweries have moved away. For instance Newcastle Brown Ale is now brewed in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire. But in their stead are many small independent breweries. They seldom offer tours but it's worth tracking down their products.

Several micro-distilleries produce gin and vodka.

Stay safe
Northerners are wonderfully friendly and can usually be counted on to look after those not familiar to the area. As in any large city, certain areas will not be as safe after dark. As a general rule of thumb, you should avoid travelling alone late at night.

Go next

 * South is Yorkshire, nowadays four separate counties. North Yorkshire is rural, with the Yorkshire Dales, and charming towns such as Ripon and Harrogate.
 * York is unmissable for its historic centre.
 * West is Cumbria and the Lake District: scenic, but it's sure to rain.
 * North you enter Scotland via the Scottish Borders, with a rugged coastline on the way to Edinburgh.

title: North East England


text:
Northeastern Albania

Northeastern Albania is a region of Albania.

Cities

 * – the energetic national capital. Trees and mountains surround the city. Mt. Dajt is a popular tourist site for a great view of the city.
 * – gateway to the wonders of the northern frontier, including majestic Valbona valley and the stunning ferry trip across Lake Koman.
 * – featuring a castle and delicious food, this area is full of tradition and known as the 'bellybutton of Albania' where the northern Ghegs meet the southern Tosks.
 * – the northernmost point of Albania, this region of the Albanian Alps organizes the yearly Logu i Bjeshkeve beauty competition, celebrating the best of Albanian beauty, and local delicacies.
 * – an ancient city of the national hero Skanderbeg, on ridge of a beautiful mountain range; Skanderbeg's castle has been turned into a museum. Kruje also contains an old style bazaar with shops selling traditional goods along cobblestone streets.
 * – a municipality and a mountaneous region located along the Fan river and A1 motorway.
 * – an alpine town and a municipality surrounded by a mountainous landscape, chestnut trees, fresh air, and several caves. Visit the Bad Wells (Puset e Keqija) waterfall area, an ethnographic exhibition, Dardhe village, and rest at one of the several guesthouses while enjoying the delicious local cuisine.
 * – a municipality and a mountaneous region located along the Fan river and A1 motorway.
 * – an alpine town and a municipality surrounded by a mountainous landscape, chestnut trees, fresh air, and several caves. Visit the Bad Wells (Puset e Keqija) waterfall area, an ethnographic exhibition, Dardhe village, and rest at one of the several guesthouses while enjoying the delicious local cuisine.
 * – an alpine town and a municipality surrounded by a mountainous landscape, chestnut trees, fresh air, and several caves. Visit the Bad Wells (Puset e Keqija) waterfall area, an ethnographic exhibition, Dardhe village, and rest at one of the several guesthouses while enjoying the delicious local cuisine.

Other destinations

 * – An area of several villages near the North Macedonia border, home to a couple historic churches
 * – An easily accessible mountainous region 30 minutes from the northern beaches of Talë and Shengjin.
 * – An ethnic Gorani picturesque village at 1,600 m altitude, south of Kukes along the Kosovo-North Macedonia-Albania border. Main attractions here include the Vanave Gorge with numerous canyons ans waterfalls, modest skiing in winter, organic traditional food such as Corbe me te Brendshme, Mish Orizi, Stav Tallomash, and the traditional Fli, and the unparalleled hospitality of locals. Accommodation is available in forms of guesthouses. Shishtavec is an emerging tourist destination of the Kukes region.
 * – In the Vau i Dejës Reservoir, which is fed and drained by the river Drin. It is accessible by tourist boat in summer from the Vau i Dejës dam or Rragam. It contains the ruins of the medieval town of Sarda. You can visit the ruins of the 11th-century medieval castle, which includes two rings of defensive walls and towers (some sadly submerged in the lake), the remains of a Byzantine church and other early medieval walls. The setting on the steep rocks rising from the lake is especially impressive.

Nature

 * – In the north of the country, this mountainous complex forms the border between Albania and Montenegro. Rich on rainfalls, sheep, bare rocks and scenic views, it's one of the iconic places in Albania you should see; you can be less than 10 km away from the nearest village and still have a day long trip there.
 * – A 1,280-hectare national park with high mountains, big meadows, and glacial lakes.
 * – A national park in the Albanian Alps with a small village at its heart.
 * – This park along SH6 near Burrel incorporates picturesque Ulza Lake which can be enjoyed while kayaking and through exploration.
 * – A newly declared park in the Lekbibaj region, the area features alpine settings similar to the Albanian Alps

Understand
This is the inland region of Albania to the north of the Shkumbin River. It borders Montenegro, Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Talk
The native language of the region is Gheg, the northern dialect of Albanian. While the two main dialects of Albanian are mutually intelligible, but due to the fact that the official standard of Albanian was shifted from Gheg to Tosk, the southern dialect, during the rule of Enver Hoxha (1941–1985), the communist dictator of Albania and a Tosk speaker himself, some locals in Northeastern Albania may have bitter feelings about Tosk dialect—so be cautious while smattering your Albanian.

Get in

 * From Kosovo – Morine border crossing along the R7/SH5 motorway near Prizren
 * From Kosovo – Qafa Prushit border crossing along the M9-1/SH22 near Gjakova
 * From Montenegro – Vermosh/Vjeternik border crossing near Gucinje

Get around
The best way to get around is by bus or van (furgon). Buses that go from Tirana to Durres cost 100 lek for example. Inner city buses cost 30 lek a trip. Some buses that leave Skanderberg Square are free with the end destination being the mall advertised on the side of the bus. Sometimes you can grab a mall bus, and get out before the mall somewhere for a free ride! Furgon's cost a little more, from 200 lek and up if you are heading out of a major town and are used for faster transport and the more windy mountain roads that cannot accommodate a large bus. You can get almost anywhere by bus, with totally unmarked stations all over the Square area.

Do

 * Visit the wood carving studio of Fran Pali in Puke where he makes handmade wood carved musical instruments himself.
 * Take part in the annual festivals organized in the summer showcasing regional delicacies and handcrafts
 * Hiking and cross country touring

Thermal springs and baths

 * – A town in the Dibër District of Albania, with spa facilities and 1 or two outside/public pools. There are direct buses every ½-1 hr from Tirana.

Eat

 * AMT (At Mhill Troshani) Bio Farm Center, founded by an Italian priest in Kçirë village near Puke, sells locally made medicinal herbs, alpine jams and delicious meats by benefiting local producers. Contact Mr. Dom Giovanni Fiocchi (Facebook Page)
 * Variety of nuts
 * Flija

Drink

 * Boza – A traditional drink of Kukes made from fermented maize and grain
 * Cornelian cherry juice
 * Birra Puka – A local beer from Puka known for its purity made from crystal clear waters
 * Dhalle – A refreshing Kefir like dairy product like Aaryan

Go next

 * Gjakova
 * Prizren

title: Northeastern Albania


text:
Northeastern Azerbaijan

Northeastern Azerbaijan is a region in Azerbaijan, which includes the Şabran (ex Davachi), Qusar (Gusar), Quba (Guba), Siyazan, and Khachmaz (Xaçmaz or Khachmas) rayons.

Cities and towns

 * (Xaçmaz, Khachmas) – It is considered a very popular tourist destination for the combination of a warm summer climate, woods along the sea and clean golden beaches.
 * (Xinaliq) – A scenic, remote and ancient mountain village, and the mountain of the same name nearby. Once a centre of Zoroastrianism; today the few inhabitants are an ethnic isolate believed to be descendants of the Caucasus Albanians (unrelated to modern-day Albanians of Albania).
 * (Xudat) – A base for excursions to the famous beaches and resorts of the Nabran area.
 * (Nebran) – Nabran is rich in many recreational facilities offering a wide range of services: luxury accommodation, sports activities, children's camps and music entertainment venues.
 * – A cozy mountain village with waterfall and nearby ski complex.
 * – A village of 370 people, that has its own language. The only way to get there is on foot or by a rented Land Rover with a driver.
 * – Its urban suburb is home to the largest Azerbaijani Jewish community in the mountains and is considered one of the largest Jewish communities in the former Soviet Union.
 * – Located in the Grand Caucasus mountainous system, close to the border with Russia.
 * (ex Davachi) – In 2010 it became the name of a historic medieval town with the same name as a port 15 km further north.

Understand
Northeastern Azerbaijan is famous both for its location at the Caspian Sea with many beautiful beaches and resort, but also due to its mountainous side with many remote villages, some close to the Russian border.

Talk
Azerbaijani is the official language, but Russian and ethnic language of Lezgi people are also frequently spoken.

Get in
Vans and taxis can be found at the Shamahinka station in Baku. This is where most locals go to find transportation to the NE regions. Buses and taxis can also be found 20th January station, but this is where tourist normally are found and prices (especially cabs) can be higher.

Prices to Nabran, Khudat and Khachmaz can be more expensive in the summer.

Get around

 * Azerbaijan has a well developed bus system between the local city and village terminals.
 * Drivers are commonly friendly with backpackers and road trippers, so auto-stop is equally an option to travel within the region.

See

 * Caspian Sea
 * Caspian Sea

Do

 * Hiking in the Caucasus Mountains.
 * The best beaches and resorts along the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan.
 * The best beaches and resorts along the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan.

Go next

 * Baku Region in the south. With the Azerbaijani capital Baku, and famous for its mud volcanoes.
 * Sheki Region in the south west. Gateway to the Azerbaijani Caucasus. There is no direct road there, but hiking might be possible between Quba and Lahich.

title: Northeastern Azerbaijan


text:
Northeastern Bosnia

Northeastern Bosnia is in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Cities

 * — city with a colourful nightlife and an impressive 14th-century fortress
 * — village known for the infamous Srebrenica Massacre that took place during the Yugoslav Wars of 1992–1995
 * — city with much industry, though has a lovely old town and monuments to the brutal war too
 * — city with much industry, though has a lovely old town and monuments to the brutal war too

title: Northeastern Bosnia


text:
North-Eastern India

North-Eastern India consists of seven small states that are surrounded by Bhutan, China and Myanmar, and almost cut off from the rest of India by Bangladesh.

As the cultures of the seven states that make up the region are similar, they are often collectively referred to as the 'Seven Sister States.'

States
Sikkim is often considered part of North-Eastern India because of its cultural similarity with the above states, but it has been categorised under Eastern India because of its geography.

Cities
Here are nine of the most notable cities.
 * — capital of Tripura
 * — capital and largest city in Mizoram
 * — largest city in Assam with more than two thousand years of history
 * — capital of Manipur
 * — capital of Arunachal Pradesh
 * — capital of Nagaland
 * — located near Udaipur, Tripura this town is home to the Tripureswari Mandir
 * — capital of Meghalaya
 * — a district and town in Nagaland with a great view of Mount Saramati

Other destinations

 * (Ntangki National Park), Nagaland — a wildlife park located in the Perren district. Home to several endangered species as well as other mammals and birds. Among them are the golden langur, white-breasted kingfisher, python and sloth bear

 * , Assam — one of the oldest national parks in India with the largest habitat for Indian single-horned rhinos

 * , Arunachal Pradesh — (rain forest area) third largest national park in India with a large diversity of mammals and birds and for being home to the northernmost rain forest in the world

 * , Assam — a national park located in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas

 * (Nokrek Biosphere Reserve), Meghalaya — a small population of red pandas reside in this park. It is habitat for the Asian elephant, species of cats and primates. It is also an important area for birds. Rongbang Dare Water Fall and Nokrek Peak are located in this park with tall, thick forest

 * , Tripura — a small population of clouded leopards reside in this park. It is also home to four species of primate monkey. This national park is located within the Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary. It also has a zoological park and a botanical garden among other educational and recreational facilities.

 * (Rajbari National Park), Tripura — a significant population of bison (gaur), deer and golden langurs reside in this park. It is located within the Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary and houses numerous floral and faunal varieties. Other animals like wild boars and leopards could also be seen here. The park is also a haven for birds species.

Understand
With the possible exception of Assam, which is famous worldwide for its tea, this is the least-known region of India. Most of these states are populated by hill tribes, who have fought long insurgency battles with the central government. However, this has been on the wane in recent times, and now it is rare for outbreaks of violence to occur. (See § Stay safe.)

This area of the country is different demographically from the rest of India, which is partly shown by the nature of its religious diversity. While the great majority of Tripurans are Hindus and most Assamese are Hindus or Muslims, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland are overwhelmingly Christian, Manipur is almost equally divided between Hindus and Christians, and Arunachal Pradesh has a very slight plurality of Christians, with Hindus in nearly equal numbers and the indigenous Donyi-Polo religion, which combines shamanism and Animism, close behind. There is also a Buddhist presence, especially in places like Tawang that are close to the borders of Tibet and Bhutan. Tibetan cultural influence extends far beyond the population of practicing Buddhists, for example by influencing local foods in some parts of North-Eastern India. Given the unique cultural and social landscape, it helps a visitor to avoid patronizing questions about race, citizenry, or even food. Remember, these are seven diverse states with highly diverse legacies.

Geographically, again, Assam is a state apart, as it is centred around the valley of the broad Brahmaputra, whereas all the other states in this region are at least partly hilly, with some featuring tall snow-capped mountains.

Talk
This region of India has about 220 languages from multiple language families. English and Hindi are not generally understood. Among the native languages from the region, the Indian Constitution recognises Assamese, Bodo and Meitei (Manipuri) in the 8th schedule.

Meitei (Manipuri) is the fastest growing of all the Northeast Indian languages, holding third place in national level, along with Gujarati, following Hindi (first place) and Kashmiri (second place).

Below is a list of the official languages of each state which will help your trip planning to some extent:

 * Arunachal Pradesh — Hindi and English
 * Assam - Assamese (excluding the Barak Valley), Bengali & Manipuri (Meitei) (in the Barak Valley) and Bodo (in Bodoland)
 * Manipur - Manipuri (Meitei) and English
 * Meghalaya - Khasi, Garo and English
 * Mizoram - Mizo and English
 * Nagaland - English
 * Tripura - Bengali and Kokborok

Get in
The north-east is not exactly the easiest place to enter, especially for Indian citizens. You must have a permit to visit almost all states.

Tripura and Assam are the only two states that don't require travel permits.

If you're a citizen of India, you need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland.

Foreigners need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to enter the state of Arunachal Pradesh.

In accordance with Indian law, all foreign visitors are required to register with the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) within 24 hours of arrival in Manipur, Mizoram or Nagaland.

Although the requirements vary by state, in general it is very difficult for citizens and former citizens of Pakistan and China to visit the north-east.

By plane
Assam (Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati), Manipur (Imphal International Airport), Nagaland (Dimapur Airport) and Tripura (Agartala Airport) have direct flights from other parts of India (Delhi and/or Kolkata). There are two other major airports serving upper regions of Assam and neighbouring areas - Dibrugarh Airport and Silchar Airport. Arunachal Pradesh is served by four airports. There are helicopter services to Naharlagun (14 km from Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh) and Aizawl (Mizoram).

By train
There are good train connections from most of the major Indian cities to Assam. Incidentally, Assam is the only state in region with rail lines (barring Nagaland with one station-Dimapur). The important stations in Assam are Guwahati, Bongaigaon, Lumding, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh. The fastest train from Delhi is Guwahati-bound Rajdhani Express (28 hrs) followed by North-East Express (32 hrs) and Dibrugarh-bound Brahmaputra Mail (42 hrs), while the fastest train from Kolkata (Howrah) is Saraighat Express. The train track in Assam is not electrified and is a single lane, so delays are the norm.

There are narrow gauge trains to Arunachal Pradesh and Barak Valley area but they are very much prone to cancellation and delays and are not at all comfortable.

By road
All the states have good network of roads in urban areas. There are regular long journey buses from West Bengal to many north-eastern states. Self-driving is not a good idea as all roads pass through heavy forest reserves and areas infested by insurgents.

Get around
The rail network in North-Eastern India is not very extensive beyond Assam and Tripura. Buses and regional planes are more convenient for certain places in the region.

National parks

 * Kaziranga National Park. Famous for its one-horned rhino found nowhere else in the world. Elephant rides in the park make for a thrilling experience. Has accommodation cottages and restaurants.

Eat
North-East India is famous for its delicious and ethnic delicacies. The cuisine includes world famous vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes. The North-East has earned accolades for the various dishes prepared from local herbs and spices. Apart from local dishes, it is also equipped with restaurants and hotels serving conventional Indian foods (both North Indian and South Indian). So eating is no problem for tourists.

Drink
If you are over the age of 25, you can drink alcohol in India. In North Eastern India, there are many refreshing alcoholic beverages that you can drink. Look for aphung (a rice-beer) in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, and zutho (a type of wine) in Mizoram You can find many of these in local markets.

Connect
NE India is completely connected with the rest of the world with excellent communication facilities with all the major telecommunication companies like Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea (Vi), Airtel and BSNL.

Stay safe
In the past, the region gained a bad reputation due to separatism, tribal and sectarian violence, and militant activities. Since then, many of these activities have simmered down as many rebel groups have made peace with the Indian government, and the region is safe for travel. Locals will still warn against traveling to the mountain states during elections, since that tends to bring out more violence, but it's not clear whether there's actually any hazard to tourists.

In terms of personal safety, most travellers, including solo female travellers, will not face any major problems walking around the streets at night.

Driving in North-Eastern India is remarkably safer and more reliable than in other areas of the country. Drivers will not impatiently honk at you and most visitors can expect to cross roads with ease.

While travelling to the more mountainous states, be aware of the altitude sickness problems.

Respect
North-Eastern India has a plethora of distinctive languages and cultures that set it apart from the rest of India. Hospitality is a cornerstone of many of the cultures here, and many locals will go out of their way to make a visitor feel welcomed. For instance, it's not uncommon for a local to help someone out if they're in need of transportation or anything else. You may, however, be expected to give it back one way or the other.

The people from North-Eastern India have East Asian or Southeast Asian rather than more typical South Asian features. On occasion, this has caused some North Easterners to be teased and subjected to discrimination in other parts of India. So be prepared, and don't be surprised.

Although they may be casually used in other parts of India, never use terms such as "Chinki", "Chinese", "Nepali", "Chowmein", "China man", or "Momo". These are considered demeaning.

In places like Mizoram, religious institutions play an influential role in society; respect that while you're there.

Sensitive Issues
North-Eastern India is one of the most politically active regions in all of India. For this reason, politics here are complex – very, very complex, much more so than any other region in India. The various tribes found in the state are fiercely keen on promoting their cultural distinctions from the rest of India.

During the second Indo-Pakistani war, millions of Bengalis immigrated to North-Eastern India and this greatly affected the ethnic balance in the region. In states such as Tripura, the number of ethnic Bengalis outnumber the tribal population. Although things have calmed down, some Northeasterners regard Bengalis as "outsiders" who have no business being in their state and feel that by allowing them in, they would be outnumbered and put at a disadvantage. This is one of the many reasons why you need a permit to visit states in North-Eastern India. In states like Assam, antipathy against Bengalis runs very high.

North-Eastern India is an often overlooked part of India. Although much work has gone into integrating the region into the rest of the country, many Northeasterners have faced social problems (e.g. racism and discrimination) in other parts of India, and many of the more well-aware Indians regard this as an incredibly embarrassing issue.

Go next

 * Bangladesh — There is a regular bus service between Dhaka and Agartala. Two BRTC (Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation) buses leave daily from Dhaka and connect with TRTC (Tripura Road Transport Corporation) vehicles, running six days a week with a roundtrip fare of 600 Bangladeshi takas. There is only one halt at Ashuganj in Bangladesh during the journey.
 * Bhutan
 * Eastern India — North-Eastern India's western neighbour is culturally rich and perhaps the most welcoming to outsiders. It is also the mineral storehouse of India, having the country's largest and richest mines.

title: North-Eastern India


text:
Northeastern Michigan

Northeastern Michigan is the part of Michigan that stretches along the shore of Lake Huron from the Straits of Mackinac to Saginaw Bay, and the extensive forested areas inland.

Cities

 * — a lakeside tourist destination in the summer, and home of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve
 * — a destination for birders and kiteboarders

Other destinations

 * — a good spot for bird-watchers
 * — a 4,300-sq-mi (11,000 km²) area that protects an estimated 116 historically significant shipwrecks

title: Northeastern Michigan


text:
Northeastern Minnesota

The Northeastern region of Minnesota is marked by countless rivers, lakes, and the shore of one Great Lake. It includes Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Mille Lacs, Pine, and St. Louis counties.

Regions

 * Gunflint Trail
 * North Shore
 * Iron Range

Other destinations

 * Banning
 * Bear Head Lake
 * Cascade River
 * Cuyuna Country Rec. Area
 * Father Hennepin
 * Franz Jevne
 * George H. Crosby Manitou
 * Gooseberry Falls
 * Grand Portage
 * Hill Annex Mine
 * Interstate
 * Jay Cooke
 * Judge C.R. Magney
 * McCarthy Beach
 * Moose Lake
 * St. Croix
 * Savanna Portage
 * Scenic
 * Schoolcraft
 * Soudan Underground Mine
 * Split Rock Lighthouse
 * Temperance River
 * Tettegouche
 * Wild River
 * Lake Shetek
 * Minneopa
 * Monson Lake
 * Nerstrand Big Woods
 * Rice Lake
 * Sakatah Lake
 * Sibley
 * Split Rock Creek
 * Upper Sioux Agency
 * Whitewater
 * Wolf
 * Whitewater
 * Wolf
 * Wolf

Understand
The economy of the northern part of this region seems to be almost perpetually on a down cycle, and while there is considerable pessimism in those areas due to that, locals also have much pride about their homeland. Northeastern Minnesotans are unfailingly helpful and honest, if occasionally gruff. The residents enjoy their outdoor activities, in all seasons. There is a connection between the people and the land here, and many citizens hold hunting and fishing at least on par with God and country. Visitors would be wise to recognize this fact.

The Iron Range (Hibbing-Chisholm area) is culturally similar to the U.P. with many of Finnish ancestry, some Russians, and is economically centered around mining. Most of the rest of the area is centered around tourism, farming and logging, and is dominated by Norwegians, Swedes and Germans, with a few Poles and American Indians. There are several Indian Reservations in the area.

Despite its rural nature, most Minnesotans are actually quite progressive politically and environmentally. The area is socially more conservative, and less tolerant of diverse views than Minneapolis. Honesty and integrity are always appreciated here, and good deeds never go unnoticed. People tend to avoid using absolutes and superlatives when talking.

Talk
Finnish is still spoken by some residents in the far Northeast. Many locals speak with a pronounced Scandinavian accent (think of the movie "Fargo"), and quite rapidly! However they are usually happy to oblige and speak slower if asked, nicely.

When ordering food in a restaurant, some tips: 'pop' is served here, asking for a 'soda' might get you a cream soda. You can probably find a pasty (meat stew in bread) in the Iron Range (and no shortage of bars). A glass of beer is referred to as a 'tap' or a 'glass' but usually not a 'draw' or a 'draft'. There are no dry counties.

Asking for Polish, or 'Polacker', will get you a spicy sausage, and 'Smelt' a fried fish. 'Hotdish' is a casserole, and it should be present at every family reunion or church potluck. Hotdish is such a fixture that since 2011, the state's congressional representatives have held a competition in Washington, DC to see who can make the best one. 'Boughten' means store-bought, as opposed to home-made, as in "...all I have is boughten bread". And even the locals will usually avoid 'Lutefisk', no matter what you may have heard elsewhere.

Going to the 'show' means seeing a movie at the cinema. A 'snow machine' is a snowmobile (both terms are used, but sometimes spark a discussion between proponents of one term vs. the other). A 'block heater' is a device to warm car engines on cold winter nights (marked by the electric plug-ins dangling from the grills of many local cars and trucks). 'The Cities' always refers to the Twin Cities: Minneapolis-Saint Paul and suburbs. A "sow-na" is in reality a steam bath (sauna), but a 'sarma' is a stuffed cabbage roll. 'Choppers' are thick mittens for the really cold weather – generally a wool insert and leather outer parts. A common tree is the quaking aspen, which is a type of poplar, but is called a 'popple' here.

Any word ending in 'ag', like 'flag' or 'bag' has a long a sound, it rhymes with 'flake' or 'bake'. A preposition is commonly used to end a sentence, particularly in the phrase "Are you coming with?"

Acceptable affirmative responses to questions here include, 'oh yah', 'you betcha', and 'no doubt'. 'No way' is a common negatory. Derision is not advised. And of course, "uff da" is a common expression, similar to "oh my gosh".

Get in
Flights are available into Duluth International Airport and Hibbing Municipal Airport via Delta Air Lines. Greyhound Bus Lines serve Duluth. Major highways serving the area are Interstate 35 from Minneapolis, US 53 from Eau Claire and northwestern Wisconsin, US 2 from the upper peninsula of Michigan, and MN 61 from Ontario, Canada.

Get around
Most regional highways are well-maintained if aged. Summer brings road construction, winter brings snow, and spring may bring road weight limits as the ground thaws. MN-DOT provides helpful information about conditions and road work.

Almost all of the local communities use some version of the grid system for their streets, with extensive use of numbered (2nd, 3rd, 4th Avenues West) streets for easy direction-finding. Inquire locally, most residents are happy to help provide directions.

See

 * The International Wolf Center in Ely, educating outdoor enthusiasts about the timber wolf.
 * Several sites in the Iron Range, including mine tours and Bob Dylan's boyhood home.
 * Judy Garland's Birthplace, in Grand Rapids.
 * The Forest History Center in Grand Rapids, an outdoor interactive facility engaging visitors in the life of early loggers.
 * Black Bear Casino in Cloquet, Fond-du-Luth gaming Casino in Duluth, Fortune Bay Casino near Tower, and Grand Casino Hinckley, in Hinckley.
 * Numerous state parks.

Do
Enjoying the outdoors is almost a necessity to enjoy Northeastern Minnesota.

 * Ice Fish.
 * Hunting is a big draw in the area, primarily deer hunting, but there is also a season on black bear and moose, as well as several fowl: ducks, geese, and ruffed grouse.
 * Enjoy a ride pulled by sled dogs in Ely.
 * View the fall leaves as the colors change in late September and early October.
 * Take in the many local high school sporting events, but especially IRC hockey games in the wintertime to fully appreciate the love locals have for this sport.
 * Canoe the BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area) in the summer months.

Eat
Sammy's Pizza in Hibbing is a staple and has been for decades. Grandma's in Duluth's Canal Park is also highly regarded. Some of the national chains you will find across the region are Dairy Queen, Subway, Hardee's, and Pizza Hut.

Most of the food is solid, small-town fare, centered around meat and potatoes. Available spices are salt, pepper, ketchup, and butter.

Drink
There is more beer drinking per capita in the Iron Range than in the Twin Cities. Liquor stores are plentiful, as are local taverns. Drinking and driving, however, has serious consequences.

Beer and whiskey ('rye' is Canadian whiskey) are more likely to be enjoyed virtually everywhere than wine or those fruity drinks that come with little umbrellas. Do not expect to be surprised!

Stay safe
The Minnesota State Patrol has a considerable presence on local highways, and drivers would do well to obey posted speed limits.

Property crime is far more likely in this region than violent crime. Use common sense regarding valuables left in vehicles. Most locals are very approachable and helpful to out-of-towners, and will go out of their ways to provide assistance.

Mosquitoes can be problematic during the summer months, up until the time of the first killing frost in August or September. Black flies, deer flies and horse flies can be bothersome in some locations. Wood ticks may find you in long grass, particularly in early summer. The good news is that there are essentially no poisonous snakes or insects, and it's too cold for cockroaches.

Do not underestimate the effect of the wintertime cold on yourself or your vehicle! The air temperature can get to -20 °F to -30 °F (that's about -30 °C to -35 °C) at any time from mid-December into March. Occasional cold spells can get colder than that, and that's before you take the wind into account. Many local vehicles are equipped with plug-in engine block heaters, so that the car has a better chance of starting in the morning. Frozen antifreeze is actually possible during a deep cold snap, and it can ruin your day as well as your vehicle. It's usually a good idea to plug in the block heater overnight, or if you'll be parked for more than a couple of hours, whenever the temperature is predicted to be below 5 °F (-15 °C). When driving in the area, make sure you keep warm clothes and other supplies in the car in case of an accident or breakdown.

Ice fishing brings its own driving risks, as some people like to drive their trucks out onto the lake, rather than parking on the shore and walking out to where they want to fish. Do not drive on the ice unless you know the lake and know that your route is safe!! Don't assume that the guy in front of you knows what he's doing; at one 2016 event, 15 parked vehicles fell through the ice of a lake together. If your vehicle falls through the ice (and you get out alive), you will be required to pay the cost of recovering your vehicle from the lake, which can run up to $5,000. The more expensive "comprehensive" auto insurance forms usually covers this; the others don't.

Deer hunting is another popular seasonal sport. Shining deer – shining a spotlight on them at night; it's also called jacklighting or spotlighting deer – is illegal. Do not let your dogs run loose across farm fields, as farmers have been known to shoot stray dogs. Stray dogs are considered more dangerous to livestock than wolves.

Go next
Flights depart Duluth International Airport for Minneapolis and Detroit daily.

title: Northeastern Minnesota