Countries With the Most Billionaires

Despite global economic uncertainties, the euro zone debt crisis, and fears of a hard landing in China, the mega-rich the one percent of the one percent have had a great year.

The 8 Best Fall Festivals for Families

Now that we've all gone apple picking you might be wondering, what left is there to do beyond trick or treating? I'm here to tell you! Festival season is far from over and it's always a thrifty route that's well worth looking into. Check out 8 of the best fall festivals (in the world!) for the whole family:

1. Keene Pumpkin Festival - New Hampshire, Oct. 20

5 Summer Hiking Destinations in Alabama

Are you thinking about planning a summer hiking trip to Alabama? If not, you may want to give it some contemplation. The state has miles of amazing hiking trails worth exploring. At least I think so anyway. Here's a quick rundown on a handful of my favorites:

10 World's last great quiet places

Bernie Krause has found aurally uncorrupted places on almost every continent. Not surprisingly, most of them are in remote locations. Gordon Hempton, who has been recording soundscapes for 30 years, says that we’re in danger of losing places of purely natural sound unless people speak out against noise pollution and governments enact laws to limit its reach. Here, Krause and Hempton share their top picks for noise-free spots.

10 places every American should see

What makes a place essentially American? Besides being within our borders, of course? When the Budget Travel editors set out to compile a list of can't-miss destinations in the United States, we knew there was no one answer.

America’s dirtiest cities

In July, Atlanta became the latest city to ban smoking in public parks, with frightening fines up to $1,000 for offenders. But keeping butts off green spaces came too late to help Atlanta’s ranking as the No. 5 dirtiest city in America.

America's best July Fourth celebrations

Uncle Sam’s favorite holiday bursts upon the scene midweek this year, causing a bit of a problem: Should you celebrate the weekend before, the weekend after, or on Wednesday, July 4th?

Most big cities will mark the traditional date, July 4th, with landmark fireworks shows and parades, but many smaller towns are holding events before or after the actual date, with the weekend of July 6-7th lining up as a favorite. The bottom line: Independence Day 2012 offers a prime excuse to party all week long. Where should you go to see the biggest, boldest, most spectacular celebrations of our nation’s 236th birthday?

We asked a couple of people who know how to set the sky on fire fireworks experts  for advice. “New York City tops the list,” says Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, the trade association of the U.S. fireworks industry.

Her other raves include the shows in Lake Tahoe, Ca., Washington DC and Nashville, Tenn. And, she adds, “There are so many wonderful July 4th celebrations across the country and even the smallest hometown community display can be spectacular!”

We also talked to Jim Souza, owner of Pyro Spectaculars, one of the nation’s top fireworks manufacturers. Souza’s five-generation business has been lighting up the world’s celebrations for almost 100 years, including Olympic Games, presidential inaugurations, Super Bowls and Disney amusement parks.

“All the rockets are on the launch pad,” says Souza, who will produce 400 shows on July 4, including about half of the nation’s largest. He agrees with Heckman that Macy’s New York show (which he produces) is the best. “When you hear the crowd cheer, that’s the payday for people like us.”

New York City
The experts’ choice for biggest-and-best show in the nation is Macy’s Ignite the Night extravaganza, which returns to the West Side this year with two tons of explosives scheduled to be fired from barges on the Hudson River. More than 40,000 firework shells will light up the sky during a 25-minute synchronized display.

Produced by Macy’s and designed in conjunction with the Rialto, Calif., company Pyro Spectaculars, the show will be seen by more than three million spectators and millions of viewers nationwide. According to Amy Kule, executive producer, the display “is like no other, filled with incredible high-flying effects choreographed to a soaring, patriotic and exuberant score.”

If you can’t be there in person, you can still check it out on NBC (9 to 10 p.m. ET). Regis Philbin will emcee the program, “Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular,” which will feature Katy Perry and Kenny Chesney.

Philadelphia
They really know how to throw a party in Philadelphia, especially on Independence Day. But that’s not surprising, given that the city played such an important role in our history, including setting the stage for the nation’s founding fathers to sign the Declaration of Independence here in 1776.

Philly’s free party runs from June 25 through July 4, making the City of Brotherly Love home to the longest Independence Day party. The Wawa Welcome America celebration (Wawa is a mid-Atlantic chain of stores) includes concerts, festivals, educational exhibits and movies. Fireworks shows are scheduled on Saturday, June 30 and Wednesday, July 4.

The Philly 4th of July Jam and Grand Finale Fireworks will include a concert with The Roots, Queen Latifah and others. It will be followed by fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Boston
Colonial Boston didn’t care much for Mother Britain; that’s why residents staged the famed tea party in 1773, laying the groundwork for the American Revolution. Today Bostonians still love to celebrate their independence. And for the past 39 years, the focus of that celebration has been the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, the orchestra's annual free outdoor concert.

The show, sponsored by Liberty Mutual, draws a half-million spectators who pack Boston’s Charles River Esplanade. Several million more viewers will see it on CBS (10 p.m. ET). Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson will perform and Emmy winner Michael Chiklis will host the event.

The patriotic program features fireworks that are shot over the Charles River and choreographed to burst as the “1812 Overture” and other bombastic tunes are played by the orchestra. The show, produced by Pyro Spectaculars, “epitomizes the concept of sky art,” says Souza.

Washington, D.C.
What could be better than celebrating the nation’s birthday in its capital? Independence Day is Uncle Sam’s chance to shine. And Washington, DC, knows how to shine, with a red, white and blue program called A Capitol Fourth that will keep visitors happy all day. Best of all: Everything is free.

The holiday begins Wednesday morning with a 4th of July parade featuring marching bands, floats, military units and VIPs; next on the agenda is “A Capitol Fourth,” an Independence Day tradition on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building that includes a live concert by the National Symphony Orchestra.

The concert is followed at 9:45 p.m. by fireworks, which are launched from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and light up the sky over the Washington Monument.

Nashville, Tenn.
Nashville is known for its music, but it’s also winning rave reviews for its annual fireworks show, which experts say is the largest in the South and one of the best in the nation. Music City’s signature July 4th celebration, Let Freedom Sing is a multi-day tradition with festivities, live music and fireworks taking place on July 3 and 4.

The July 4th evening concert will be followed by a fireworks display choreographed to live music by the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony Orchestra. Also on the stage: The Mavericks, Craig Morgan and Sarah Darling.

Chicago
Fireworks fans don’t need to wait for July 4th to celebrate in Chicago. Navy Pier sets the stage all summer long, offering shows over Lake Michigan twice a week. And Chicagoland residents have lots of other events to choose from, too, including a festival in Barrington, a picnic in Plainfield and fireworks in Rockford and Evanston.

The major event, however, is Navy Pier’s show. The pier, built in 1914, extends 3,300 feet along the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. It features entertainment, shopping, dining, parks and other attractions. Fireworks shows are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Seattle
In the Pacific Northwest, Seattle’s Family 4th at Lake Union event is the place to spend Independence Day. Funk, blues and soul groups perform during the day and a spectacular 21-minute fireworks show lights up the night.

The event’s claim to fame is its high-flying bursts of pyrotechnics: that soar 1,000 feet over Lake Union. Fired from barges, the show includes high aerial shells and ground-level barrages of fountains, comets and 5,000 mini-bursts that take place in the span of seconds.

San Francisco
The City by the Bay will give a star-spangled salute to the holiday when the annual City of San Francisco Fireworks Extravaganza kicks off at 9:30 pm, July 4.

The 30-minute show caps a day that includes hot dogs, picnics in the park, cruises on San Francisco Bay and other festivities. Or stop by Pier 39, where rock bands will begin playing in the late afternoon.

The Fireworks Extravaganza will light up the waterfront from Aquatic Park to Pier 39, with rockets being shot from both the Municipal Pier and barges north of Pier 39.

Lake Tahoe, Calif.
As the largest synchronized fireworks display west of the Mississippi, Lake Tahoe's Lights on the Lake Fourth of July fireworks show offers a lively salute to Old Glory.

 NBC’s Today Show selected Tahoe South’s display as one of the country’s top Fourth of July celebrations.

Best viewing spots are around South Shore’s sandy beaches or on the lake on board M.S. Dixie II and Tahoe Queen paddle wheelers.
The annual display, which dates to 1981, is fired from barges on the lake and requires the efforts of 12 licensed operators and Pyro Spectaculars crew members to set it all in motion.

St. Louis, Mo.
If you miss the show in July, come back during the Labor Day holiday, when another fireworks show typically ends high season at the lake. Mississippi River town St. Louis salutes America and the Fourth of July in a big way with three days of fireworks and family activities that include air shows, military tributes, concerts and other events.

Fair Saint Louis is marking the holiday with fireworks shows on July 4, 6 & 7. All shows will conclude a day full of activities. The annual event, now celebrating its 32nd show, features 30-minute fireworks displays fired from a barge on the Mississippi River.

The productions, featuring fireworks by J&M Displays,are choreographed to music each night and generally take on the same genre of music of that evening's headline music act.

Several hundred thousand people typically pack the Gateway Arch grounds and surrounding downtown streets on both sides of the Mississippi River, providing delight to residents and guests from two states, Missouri and Illinois. A special only-in-St. Louis treat: The reflection of the fireworks can be seen on the city’s iconic Gateway Arch each night during the show.

Romantic Vacation Destinations In US

1. Manhattan, New York

Hopeless romantics will always find inspiration in the Big Apple. Restaurants are everywhere, but couples flock to the West Village's One if by Land, Two if by Sea (considered one of the best places in the city to pop the question). For skyline views, head to Top of the Rock, the observation deck crowning the GE Building at Rockefeller Center; rockefellercenter.com. For a different view of the island, try a Manhattan Harbor Brunch Cruise for two aboard a 1920s-style yacht.

2. Big Island, Hawaii

The Mauna Lani Resort, on the Big Island's Kohala coast, indulges romantic guests with its Lava Love getaway package. For at least three nights, health-conscious couples may stay in a deluxe oceanfront suite and enjoy sunrise workouts on the beach; a private, lava-rock sauna; spa treatments.

3. Whidbey Island, Washington

Stress starts to melt away as you step off the ferry onto this Washington island, just one hour north of Seattle. Rich in natural beauty, Whidbey Island is also home to picturesque towns and romantic B&Bs. Spend the day in Langley (for a special treat, pick up a picnic for two from the Chef's Pantry). Journeying north, drop by Greenbank Farms for wine and cheese before climbing the Admiralty Head Lighthouse for a gorgeous view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Toast to your travels at the new Frasers Gourmet Hideaway in Oak Harbor;

4. Lovers Key, Florida

This Gulf Coast island is popular, but it still offers secluded nooks and stretches of beach where Valentines can get away from it all. Rent a canoe or tandem kayak at Lovers Key State Park, and paddle the canals among manatees and other wildlife. Later, snuggle at sunset on a beach that, at least for the evening, is yours alone;

5. Cumberland Island, Georgia

This hidden gem gained national attention in 1996 when John F. Kennedy Jr. married Carolyn Bessette inside the island's First African Baptist Church. Renowned for its privacy and serene beauty, Cumberland has more than 17 miles of white-sand beaches to explore, and numerous wild horses to admire. We recommend an overnight stay at the Greyfield Inn, a 1900-era mansion on more than 200 acres of protected shore;

6. The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa, Miami, Florida

Secluded on a 20-acre island in Biscayne Bay, The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa provides a relaxing escape from the big city nearby. A pool and jogging path overlook the bay, as do 49 bayview rooms. Dine at the acclaimed oceanfront Baleen restaurant, and spice things up with the Tantra Lovers Island Escape package;

7. Naples, Long Beach, California

Naples, near Belmont Shores in Alamitos Bay, is actually a series of islands divided by waterways. In classic Italian style, gondoliers take lovebirds on a tour of the canals―no doubt, the best way to explore this watery village. Surprise your sweetheart with a bottle of vino, then take a Venetian-style moonlit ride. (Don't forget to smooch under every bridge for good luck!)

Chicago City

Introduction
'Chicago, Chicago': a pumping, showstopping extravaganza of a city. Chicago has the lot: itinerant artists babbling Beat, Polish aunties stuffing sausage, African-American mothers organising the block, blue-collar guys bad-mouthing the Bears, a crooner singing the blues on the South Side. It's a city that wears its American heart proudly on its sleeve.

Chicago's diverse population has built a city with an unrivalled tradition of jazz and blues, an astonishing architecture, an appetite for hearty food, award-winning newspapers, universities full of Nobel laureates and some of the most die-hard sports fans you'll ever meet. 'I give you Chicago. It is not London and Harvard. It is not Paris and buttermilk. It is American in every chitling and sparerib. It is alive from snout to tail.' - Henry Louis Mencken

The city of Chicago, in northeastern Illinois, stretches for 40km (25mi) along the southern tip of Lake Michigan's shore. Illinois is located in the northern central part of the United States, bordered by Wisconsin and Lake Michigan to the north, Iowa and Missouri to the west, Indiana to the east and Kentucky to the south. The Loop is the historic centre of the city, drawing its name from the elevated train tracks that circle it. Its buildings constitute a virtual textbook of American architecture. The intersection of Madison and State Streets is the hub of a numbering system that lets you navigate without knowing any street names. From this point, all street numbers are predicated on north, south, east or west, depending on which way they radiate. Many of Chicago's neighbourhoods are named for their location in relation to the Loop (South Loop, Near North, West Side, etc).

Destination Facts
Time zone: GMT -6
Area: 588
Coordinates: 41.8265457153 latitude and -87.6413040161 longitude
Population: 2850000
Daylight Saving: From second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November
Area codes: 312 inside the Loop; 773 outside

Getting There
The hot Chicago summer is the peak of the festival season, with major events taking place in the parks and neighbourhoods every weekend. September is blessed with reliably warm days and is probably the most pleasant month of the year, weather wise, but there's less going on during this period. January to March is when Chicago is least busy and hotels and airfares are usually at their cheapest; however, temperatures and brisk winds will guarantee that you'll spend most of the time indoors.

Weather
They don't call it the 'Windy City' for nothin'. There's everything from cool, God-sent lake breezes at the height of summer to skirt-raising gusts in the spring to spine-chilling, nose-chiselling blasts of icy air in the winter. Late spring and early autumn are pleasant, being generally warm, clear and dry. July and August can get really hot, with temperatures from 27-32 ° C (80-90 ° F) and high humidity. Winters can be damp and cold - between -11 ° C and -2 ° C (12 ° F and 29 ° F) if you're lucky - and snowy for days on end.

Places of Interest
The lake is an ocean, the buildings scrape the sky.
Loaf your way around the Loop, Chicago's 'inner circle', and imbibe its busy daytime hum and after-hours hipness. Put your head in the clouds at Sears Tower or treasure the impressionist collection at the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the world's premier museums.

Chicago has the lot: itinerant artists babbling Beat, Polish aunties stuffing sausage, African-American mothers organising the block, blue-collar guys bad-mouthing the Bears, a crooner singing the blues on the South Side. It's a city that wears its American heart proudly on its sleeve.

Chicago's diverse population has built a city with an unrivalled tradition of jazz and blues, an astonishing architecture, an appetite for hearty food, award-winning newspapers, universities full of Nobel laureates and some of the most die-hard sports fans you'll ever meet.

Related Cities: Alaska, Boston, Aspen, Atlanta

Boston City

Introduction
Beantown wears its impressive heritage on its sleeve. Calling this quaint and charming city the 'Athens of America' might seem a bit boastful, but the city's 19th century glory radiates through its grand architecture, its population of literati, artists and educators and its world-renowned academic and cultural institutions.

Destination Facts
Time zone: GMT -5
Area: 125
Coordinates: 42.375 latitude and -71.1029968262 longitude
Population: 600000
Area codes: 617

Getting There
Late May through June and September are the best times to visit. Everything's open, prices are moderate, days are warm and nights are cool. The busiest, most expensive times are high summer (July and August) and foliage season (late September to mid-October). During these popular times, many lodgings have restrictions about minimum stays, children, service charges, deposit refunds and payment; be sure to ask. The winters are often snowy and quite cold.

Amtrak trains will speed you to Boston (there's one from New York that takes only three hours - but it's pricey). The bus station is conveniently situated to give easy access to the city. Logan International Airport, Boston's major air hub, has good connections.

Getting around
Boston's 'T', one of the oldest subways in the country, is the best way to get around the the Boston-Cambridge area. If you're not in a rush, the city is made for walking, with urban heritage paths and lots of green. Ferries cross Boston Harbor, but it's more an excursion than an option for getting around. Cars are not really a great idea for within the city - it's a bit of a nightmare to navigate for out-of-towners.

Weather
Boston springs are ephemeral; blink and the leaves have turned from buds to full-blown shadow puppets. Summer can get a bit steamy at times but September and October are predictably pleasant, with clear blue skies, cool mornings and evenings, and warm afternoons. January and February bring harsh winds and punishing temperatures, but snowfall accumulation is measured in inches rather than feet. Air masses from the Great Lakes and Canada collide with moderate Gulf Stream currents, making for sudden and frequent weather changes. Dress in layers and be ready for anything. Surprisingly, Boston is windier than Chicago and gets more rain than Seattle.

Related cities: Aspen, Atlanta, Alaska City, USA Country

Aspen City

Introduction
Beautiful mountains, beautiful people, and policemen in Saabs. Let's cut to the chase: Aspen can be snobby. It's true, but what do you expect, darling, from a place that's crawling with high rollers clad in the latest designer ski wear. Hand-in-hand with Vail, Aspen is the winter playground for the wealthy.

Destination Facts
Time zone: GMT -7
Area: 9
Coordinates: 39.1911 latitude and -106.81754 longitude
Population: 5914
Area codes: 970

Getting There
Colorado's climate is influenced by its semiarid tendencies as well as its mid-continental location, which accounts for a huge variety in daily thermometer readings. The Rocky Mountains act as a barrier intercepting much of the west-born moisture, temperatures plummet with height gains, and weather up in these climes is, for lack of a more helpful word, unpredictable.When to go really depends on why you're going. If you want Aspen for the sheer love of the white stuff, you can usually count on some degree of ski- or snowboard-able terrain from mid-December to early April. Sometimes flakes drop as late as June and as early as September. Summertime isn't any more predictable - in the midst of a pleasant day, violent thunderstorms can sweep through at the turn of a head. July and August temperatures can reach 75-80 ° F (23-26 ° C), but nights are still chilly. However, note that when the sun is out its rays are intense all year-round; arm your skin with sunscreen before heading outdoors.

Getting there and away
Well, ahem, if you don't have your own aircraft, you're still welcome to land in Sardy Field, 6km (4mi) north of Aspen. A little further afield, Eagle County Airport is 113km (70mi) north of Aspen and has increased services during ski season. American, Delta, United and Northwest Airlines use its airstrips, bringing in vacationers from various US destinations.For those flying into or out of Denver International Airport, 335km (208mi) from Aspen, the Colorado Mountain Express will shuttle you. If you're shuttling yourself, reach Aspen via Hwy 82. During the winter, the highway over Independence Pass to Leadville is closed.

Getting around
To get from Sardy Field to Aspen, you can take a free valley bus, which stops every half-hour about two blocks from the Airport Business Centre. For your return leg to the airport in the summer, take advantage of the direct service offered from Rubey Park Transit Centre; it leaves every half-hour during the day. High Mountain Cabs offers meter taxis 24 hours a day and car-rental agencies at Sardy Field are ready to accommodate your needs. However, if you really want to do it right, try a Harley Davidson rental.The Roaring Fork Transit Agency (RFTA) buses cover Snowmass Village and the valley to El Jebel north of Basalt, every half-hour. Free in-town shuttles shuffle around the Aspen Highlands Ski Area, Hunter Creek, Mountain Valley and Snowbunny, as well as the Music School on Castle Creek Rd. During music festivals, buses also cover the grounds to and from the Music Tent.

Weather
The year gets off to a chilly start with January's temperatures ranging from 8 ° F (-13 ° C) to 35 ° F (2 ° C) and annual snowfall averaging up to 15ft (4.6m), although that figure jumps to up to 25ft (7.6m) around the ski resorts. It's not unheard of to see snow as late as June and as early as September in Aspen, and summer isn't any more predictable, with thunderstorms randomly punctuating otherwise pleasant summer days. July and August can reach temperatures of 75-80 ° F (23-26 ° C), but nights are cold.

Atlanta City

Introduction
Without natural boundaries to control growth, Atlanta just keeps growing. The suburban sprawl has turned Atlanta into a almost endless city. Increased car dependence creates horrendous traffic, traffic creates smog, smog pollutes water, and so on. These problems keep politicians and environmental groups scratching their heads.

For all this suburbanization, Atlanta is a pretty city covered with trees and elegant old homes. The growth raised the roof on the restaurant and shopping scene, and distinct neighborhoods are like friendly small towns. Racial tensions are minimal, but segregation persists.
'Savannah would be better for you. You'll just get in trouble in Atlanta.' - Mammy, Gone with the Wind

Located in the southeastern region of the US, Atlanta is in the northwestern quadrant of the state of Georgia (of which it is the capital). It's about 320km (200mi) northwest of the Atlantic and about 440km (275mi) north of the Gulf of Mexico. The sprawling Atlanta metropolitan area is criss-crossed by I-20 and I-75/85, with I-285 forming the 'Perimeter' (as locals call it). Peachtree St is the main north-south artery, but be aware that some 40 other streets, avenues, roads and lanes are also called Peachtree. The centre of the city is Five Points, the star-shaped intersection formed by several major streets. East of downtown, Sweet Auburn is the city's main African-American neighbourhood. East of Sweet Auburn is Little Five Points, the centre of Atlanta's college and boho set. North of downtown, Midtown is an upmarket entertainment and nightlife area. The West End, west of downtown, is Atlanta's oldest neighbourhood. The Olympic stadium and Grant Park are respectively south and southeast of downtown. Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is 19km (12mi) south of downtown. The Greyhound terminal is next to the Garnett MARTA station, just south of downtown. The Amtrak station is 5km (3mi) north of downtown.

Destination Facts
Time zone: GMT -5
Area: 342
Coordinates: 33.7960014343 latitude and -84.3489990234 longitude
Population: 483108
Languages: Spanish has effective dual-language status in parts of southern California, New Mexico, Texas and Miami.There are 400,000 speakers of Native American dialects.American English encompasses a multitude of regional accents of differing degrees of intelligibility.
Currency: US Dollar (US$)
Daylight Saving: From first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October
Weight System: Imperial
Area codes: 678,404 & 770

Getting there and away
Atlanta's huge Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL; tel:404 209 1700; www.atlanta-airport.com), 19km (12mi) south of downtown, is a major regional hub and an international gateway. With nearly 80 million visitors a year, it is the busiest airport in the world in overall passenger traffic. The Greyhound terminal (tel:404 584 1728; 232 Forsyth St) is next to the Marta Garnett station. Some journey times include Nashville, TN (five hours), New Orleans, LA (10 hours), New York (19 hours), Miami, FL (16 hours) and Savannah, GA (six hours). The Amtrak station (tel:404 881 3062, 800 872 7245; 1688 Peachtree St NW at Deering Rd) is 4.8km (3mi) north of downtown. Take bus No 23 for about 0.8 miles from the Marta Arts Center station.

Getting around
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (Marta; tel:404 848 4711; www.itsmarta.com) rail line travels to/from the airport to downtown, along with a few less-useful routes used mostly by commuters. The Atlanta Airport Shuttle (tel:404 524 3400, 800 842 2770) also transports passengers to hotels all over the city in a minibus. You will find that all the major car-rental agencies have desks in the airport at the baggage-claim level. Driving in Atlanta can be infuriating and confusing. You'll often find yourself sitting in traffic jams, and it's easy to get disoriented - a road map is invaluable.

Weather
Atlanta's weather is mild for much of the year, though July and August tend to be steamy and hot and the area does get snow in December and January. Spring and autumn are the balmiest seasons.

Places of Interest
The suburban sprawl has turned Atlanta into a almost endless city. Increased car dependence creates horrendous traffic, traffic creates smog, smog pollutes water, and so on. These problems keep politicians and environmental groups scratching their heads. For all this suburbanization, Atlanta is a pretty city covered with trees and elegant old homes. The growth raised the roof on the restaurant and shopping scene, and distinct neighborhoods are like friendly small towns. Racial tensions are minimal, but segregation persists.

Alaska City

Introduction
Whale watching, bear viewing, fjord cruising - north to Alaska! It isn't just the mountains, sparkling lakes and glaciers that draw travelers to Alaska but the magic in the land, its mystical boreal pull. It's a place that ignites the imaginations of people who live in the city but long to wander into the woods.
The expansive grandeur of the state will help you put the size of your snowshoes in perspective as you marvel at the sight of a brown bear at full amble, or kayak past a tidewater glacier shedding icebergs the size of small cars. And it needn't cost you a fortune.

Geography:
Easily the USA's largest member state, Alaska is a huge space, able to give each of its residents almost a square mile in which to do their thing. The state measures 2254km (1400mi) north to south and 3864km (2400mi) across the girth, comprising several distinctive regions. The Southeast, also known as the Panhandle, is a 500mi (805km) coastal strip including the wildly serrated Inside Passage, a watery lifeline for isolated towns inaccessible by road. The mountain ranges, glaciers and fjords of this region continue through Southcentral in a 1047km (650mi) swerve of shore and bend of bay from the Gulf of Alaska to Kodiak Island. The Interior is Alaska's heartland, with milder weather than the state's extremities and scenic delights including Denali National Park, Alaska's best-known attraction. The Bush is larger than all of the other regions combined, claiming the whole western swathe, Arctic Alaska and the southwest island chains. Bush Alaska is generally accessible only by charter plane, rendering it prohibitively expensive for many travelers, but enabling the maintenance of a lifestyle unaffected by the state's booming summer tourist industry.

Destination Facts
Time zone: GMT -9
Area: 1530694
Coordinates: 64 latitude and -153 longitude
Population: 670053
Currency: US Dollar (US$)
Daylight Saving: From second Sunday in March to first Sunday of November
Weight System: Imperial
Area codes: 011

Getting there and away
Flights to Alaska can deposit you in Anchorage, Juneau, Ketchikan or Fairbanks. If driving, you'll find yourself motoring up the Alcan (aka the Alaska Hwy) and, if arriving by boat, it'll be a trip along the Inside Passage waterway. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), 11km (7mi) west of the city center, is Alaska's largest airport and is serviced by major airlines. Most travelers from Asia or Europe will need to touch down in Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis or Vancouver first and catch a connecting flight to Anchorage. You can drive or take a combination of buses along the Alcan into Alaska. Good tires are essential on this road. Ferries run from Bellingham, Washington; they take 2 to 3.5 days to reach Juneau (depending on the route) and are a scenic and hassle-free way to get to Alaska.

Getting around
Alaska Airlines is the major domestic airline - it services the most towns and cities. Bush planes can be chartered to access remote villages or drop you into the middle of pristine wilderness. Regular bus services are available between the larger towns and cities, but if there are three or more of you, it's probably cheaper to rent a car. The Alaska Railroad provides a good, scenic means of transport, though rarely the most affordable. Marine ferries service Southeast, Southcentral and Southwest Alaska and are often the dominant mode of transport in these road-unfriendly areas. Car rental agencies are located in major cities and towns. Cycling is a good way to get around, and can be economically combined with ferry trips if your bike doesn't convert into a pedal-steamer.

Weather
Alaska's climate is inconsist - it's not uncommon for more than one season to be crammed into a single day. Don't stake your raincoat on it, but the Southeast and Southcentral regions generally experience high rainfall and moderate temperatures, with summers averaging 15-21 ° C (60-70 ° F). In the Interior, precipitation is light but temperatures fluctuate wildly, sometimes breaking 32 ° C (90 ° F) in August. The climate along the western coast is mostly cool with summer temperatures around 7 ° C (45 ° F), and regular fog and rain. Most of Alaska experiences the magic of the midnight sun, a surfeit of daylight which apparently sanctions the kind of madness which finds families undertaking 10km (6mi) hikes after dinner and softball teams convening for a witching hour hit-up.

Places of Interest
It isn't just the mountains, sparkling lakes and glaciers that draw travelers to Alaska but the magic in the land, its mystical boreal pull. It's a place that ignites the imaginations of people who live in the city but long to wander into the woods. The expansive grandeur of the state will help you put the size of your snowshoes in perspective as you marvel at the sight of a brown bear at full amble, or kayak past a tidewater glacier shedding icebergs the size of small cars. And it needn't cost you a fortune.

Events
Alaskans are a celebratory people, especially in the summer when 24-hour daylight turns the most sober and sane into the most blithering and bonkers. Most towns have Summer Solstice (June 21) festivities. The festival in Fairbanks is one of the most popular, enjoying nearly 23 hours of sun to stage a midnight baseball game. Sitka lets off June summer steam with log-chopping, axe-tossing and tree-climbing competitions. Independence Day (July 4) is a very popular holiday with celebrations of particular note in Ketchikan and Anchorage, including parades, contests and softball games, all rounded off with impressive firework displays. On the second weekend in July, Talkeetna is the proud host of the Moose Dropping Festival, a high-class bash enjoyed by second-class shot-putters wondering why dropping-tossing isn't an Olympic event. Golden Days in Fairbanks is held in late July. It celebrates the discovery of gold with parades and sports, giving the less athletic a chance in events like the Hairy Legs Contest.