Excluding a tropical wet climate, North America experiences every major type of climate/weather. Most of the continent experiences a temperate climate, excluding Hawaii (tropical), Florida (tropical), and Alaska (arctic), with generally low winter temperatures in the northwestern United States. This climate is subject to change however, with the threat of many natural hazards such as tsunamis, flooding, volcanoes, earthquakes, forest fires, and hurricanes. The terrain is sporadic and includes a large central plain with mountains in the west, hills and low mountains in the east, rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska, and rocky, volcanic topography in Hawaii. There are many natural resources including coal, copper, lead, gold, and petroleum.

The languages found most often in North America are English, Spanish, and French, and the United States experiences a net migration rate of about 3.05 migrants per 1,000 people. Due to the religious freedom generally accepted throughout the continent, the North American population practices many different religions including, but not limited to, Christianity, Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Unitarianism. Nearly 80% of the North American population lives in metropolitan areas, the largest of which are Mexico City, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami. The United States has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the entire world, with a per capita GDP of $46,000 in 2007.

North America depends heavily on agricultural success and produces wheat, corn, grains, fruit, vegetables, and cotton. Furthermore, North America provides a steady supply of beef, pork, poultry, dairy products, fish, and forest products. Following the trend of extreme consumption, the North American population is also the world's largest consumer of cocaine as well as many other illicit drugs.

New York is filled with lots of activities, and outdoor performances, and let's do mention many lights! In fact, it should be called the city of lights, like Paris, although Paris has many great lights as well. One can be walking in Time Square in the middle of the night and mistake it for daytime. I know that has happened to me, no jokes.

I've been to New York plenty of times not to know its greatest, most grandeur attractions. One of such, which I think would make it at the top of the list, is the Statue of Liberties. Although it can be seen from New Jersey's State Park, it is part of the New York skyline. One must indeed visit this monument, and go even for the torch, if possible. It's quite an adventure!

Before 2001, another great attraction would have been the Twin Towers. Those buildings stretched as far as anyone could imagine, and dominated the New York skyline. It was indeed a marvel that is no longer there. However, you can still get the best out of New York. For instance, central park has been a welcome mat for lovers of nature, not only tourists but also New York residents who want to escape the urban noise and stressing factors. It's quite magnificent and picturesque. There are mainly four bodies of water, the Reservoir, the Lake, Harlem Meer, and the Pond, in that order from largest to smallest. Among the many things that are in Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum makes a pretty good impression, and has a tourist magnet of its own.

New York City alone doesn't sum up the magnificence of the States. There are indeed many other great places to visit, such as North Carolina, a personal favorite of mine, New England, and many coastal states such as Florida, if one has a weakness for the beach! Next Stop, Europe!

Paris

The city of lights is indeed awesome! Well, it might as well be the center of Europe, but I think it's famous enough for its position as Fashion Capital of the World. Aside from the States, France welcomes the most tourists a year than anywhere else. The most popular French destination of course is Paris.

Not exactly my hometown, but I think I can be an advocate. It is breathtaking, and not many can resist Paris, but one of the things that Paris is famous for, besides culture, is the Eiffel Tower. It seems with national monuments these days, sky is the limit. However, in Paris, you don't see too many skyscrapers, like in New York, but that's really nothing to sneeze at.

Now, everyone should be familiar with Moulin Rouge. It's the red windmill with lots of lights, hence the name, Moulin Rouge, which means red windmill. This cabaret, a restaurant or nightclub featuring a stage for performance, will offer you one of the best times of your life! Did I mention that the food was excellent? But that's no poor man's menu! There is no wonder it's located in the “red-light” district. Aside from the Moulin Rouge, there are many more attractions, and a trip to Paris is like a trip to Paradise!

Ever wonder how the Parisians spent their summers? Well, the ones that chose to stay in Paris over the summer, at least. The beach is always a good idea. Yes. I said beach. The Seine River is unlike any other in the world. It has many things in contrast to other rivers. It's green, to name one. By the way, that sounds disgusting, but since it's in Paris (well, it runs through Paris), the impossible is always possible. During summers, many Parisians, as well as tourists, bring their beach chairs and strip to their underwear. And to make it more convincing, they even add Palm trees, or Palmettos along the quays, and they soak up the sun. How imaginative!

But make sure to visit the Louvre and the Versailles palace before your next stop to London, Paris's brother city. However, London and Paris is not the only tourist attractions in Europe. In that list, there is Marseille, Milan, Rome, Berlin, Amsterdam, and many more cities that tourists cannot resist. Together they make Europe what she is today.

• Though Costa Rica has its own currency (the Colon), most stores list prices in terms of U.S. dollars since there are so many U.S. tourists and access to U.S. dollars is easy. However, in order to exchange money, travelers must visit an official exchange, as illegal exchange of currency is forbidden. Head's up: most banks close at 3p.m.
• Costa Rican travelers: be wary; Costa Rica is a stopping point along the well-known drug route through Central America. Though drugs and drug trafficking are illegal and punished quite severely, many tourists do get caught up in drug-money schemes, so tourists are warned upon arrival to guard their personal safety.
• There are about 52 species of hummingbirds in Costa Rica, making Costa Rica a true North American hummingbird capitol. The Costa Rican hummingbirds are most often found in the rain forest, as they pollinate flowers in the area where bees cannot travel.
• Monkeys are one of the most common mammals in Costa Rica - next to bats. There are about four common species of monkeys in Costa Rica, including the Howler money, Spider money, white-faced capuchin, and the squirrel monkey. Most monkeys live in groups of 10 to 40 with other animals.
• There are four kinds of toucans in Costa Rica, including the keel-billed toucan, chestnut-mandibled toucan, collared aracari, and the fiery-billed aracari. Toucans are found almost entirely in or around the rain forest. There are also over 332 species of parrots, but only about five live in Costa Rica, including the scarlet macaw, great green macaw, red-lored parrot, white-crowned parrot and the barred parakeet.
• Bug-phobists look out! There are about 750,000 species of insects that live in Costa Rica, including about 20,000 different types of spiders!
• Guaro is the local alcoholic liquor of choice. The beverage is inexpensive and is made from sugar cane. Costa Rica also produces a fine coffee liquor - straight from the coffee bean.
• Though Costa Rica is the second smallest Latin American country (it's only about 30,100 square miles), it's one of the most culturally and geographically exciting. The country borders the Caribbean and Pacific waters and has a broad mix of low lands and hilly volcanoes. As such hikers and water-lovers will be equally as impressed.
• Vaccinations are not mandatory. However, there are Red Cross stations in just about every town throughout the country, making vaccinations readily available. Many hikers get vaccinated before traveling to the country, as Typhoid and Hydrophobia are common.

Costa Rica is one of the most valued environmental destinations in North America. Whether you're taking off for a backpacking trip, historic inquiry, or kayaking journey, Costa Rica is sure to provide an environment that cannot be replicated. Be sure to take your hiking boots and swimsuit - you never know when you'll hike to the top of a cliff only to jump into a crystal clear pool below!