Boston is the largest city and the capital of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, and as thus, is very important to economic, cultural, and political matters in the state. It is also the largest city in New England and is considered as the cultural and economic center of the entire region. The city features its own distinct atmosphere, dialect, and way of life.

Founded on September 17, 1630, Boston was originally a Puritan settlement established by English colonists to the New World. Popular theological thought at the time insisted that the city of Boston fit under the “City on the Hill” concept and that it had a special covenant with God. Over one hundred years later, the American Revolution was incited by Bostonians who were fed up with British taxation without representation. Notable events like the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the Battle of Lexington and Concord occurred during this turbulent time. Throughout the 19th century, Boston experienced economic growth because of its harbor, as well as significant land growth because of land reclamation efforts that lasted over two hundred years. Today, Boston is an intellectual and political center whose influence extends across the region.

Boston is a very compact city due to the principles upon which it was built. The elevation stays rather constant throughout the city, but there are notable hills and such spread throughout the city. The Charles River reigns in the city limits of Boston, while Boston Harbor lies in the east. A continental climate pervades New England, moderated by the current, with hot and humid summers and cold, windy, snowy winters.

Boston’s culture is a very distinct subset of New England’s culture, with its own dialect called Boston English. Many people believe that Boston’s culture is intellectual in nature because of the many universities within the city. Renowned, ornate theaters, along with other performing arts venues, are spread throughout the city. Much of the city is historically preserved because of its importance to the American Revolution.

As Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage holds two-fifths of the entire state’s population. Anchorage’s population is just over 350,000. Named an All-America City several times in its history, Anchorage is known for its ability to adapt to a climate which is extremely unusual to the rest of the United States.

Established in 1914 as a railroad construction port for the Alaska Railroad, Anchorage had humble beginnings as a tent city with a working population. Originally the city’s economy was based on the railroad, but by the 1950s, the city experienced a massive boom due to an increased amount of air transportation and military presence. Anchorage’s development was dramatically halted in 1964 when the Good Friday Earthquake, a stunning magnitude 9.2 quake, struck Alaska, killing 115 Alaskans and causing $1.8 billion dollars worth of damage. The rest of the decade was devoted to reconstruction of the city. An oil boom in 1968 caused massive growth once again in the city, and from then until today, Anchorage has experienced much expansion and beautification.

Anchorage sits in south central Alaska on a strip of coastal lowlands. To the south is a fjord with record-breaking tides called the Turnagain Arm, while Knik Arm lies to the north and west. The Chugach Mountains reign the city limits in to the east. A subarctic climate means that Anchorage experiences lows in the mid 50s and highs in the mid 70s during the summer, and lows in the single digits and highs in the 30s during the winter. Summer days are very long and winter days are very short.

Alaskan culture is distinguishable from the rest of the United States because of its geographical situation. Along with performing arts, most of which taking place in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, and chamber music societies, cultural events in Anchorage include ice carving competitions and summer festivals. Several museums in Alaska, including the Alaska Museum of Natural History and the Oscar Anderson House Museum, are housed in Anchorage. Hockey is the most popular sport in Anchorage and the Alaska Aces is one of the city’s two professional sports teams.

As part of the Virgin Islands archipelago, the U.S. Virgin Islands are a group of islands consisting of the main islands, Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas. There are many smaller islands, and the total population of the islands put together exceeds 100,000 people.

Christopher Columbus’s second voyage included the discovery and naming of the Virgin Islands in 1493, which he named after Saint Ursula and her followers. Over the next hundred years, the islands changed hands several times between many European powers. By the middle of the 18th century, the islands were property of the Danish, who focused on the production of sugarcane aided by slave labor to fuel the economy of the islands. World War I made the Virgin Islands vulnerable and exposed, something which the United States feared the Germans would exploit in order to take over the islands and build a base there. Thus, they purchased them from the Danish for $25 million after months of negotiation. Since 1917, the Virgin Islands have remained a territory of the United States whose inhabitants are American citizens.

Located in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the Virgin Islands consist of several dozen islands. Known for strategic harbors and white sandy beaches, the Virgin Islands are hilly and volcanic in origin. A subtropical climate classification means that the Virgin Islands have little temperature fluctuation throughout the year, low humidity, and a rainy season which lasts from May to November.

Tourism is the main driving force behind the economy of the Virgin Islands with over 2 million visitors arriving each year, many of whom visit on cruise ships. Visitors to the Virgin Islands can enjoy the distinct culture, as well as the pristine beaches and a growing resort industry. There is a manufacturing sector as well as a small agricultural sector that comprise the rest of the Virgin Islands’ economy.

Rome is one of the great cities of the Old World. It has been, at many points in history, one of the most powerful and important cities in the entire world. Today, it is an extremely popular destination for visitors all over the world who come to enjoy Italy and especially the distinct flavor of Rome.

While Rome is said to have been founded by twins Romulus and Remus, archeological evidence suggests that it involved growth from nearby farm settlements. It developed into the capital of the Roman Kingdom after the reign of seven kings and from there began an ascent to the seat of most expansive empire in history. Eventually, the Roman Empire declined, as did the political and commercial power of the city itself, although throughout the Renaissance it was an important artistic and cultural hub. Although Italy went through a brief bout of fascism between World War I and World War II, it is today a republic, with Rome as its capital.

Rome is located in central Italy, where the Aniene and Tiber rivers meet. The city itself extends to the shore of the Tyrrhenian Sea, despite the fact that the center of the city is many miles away. Rome’s elevation does not change much throughout the city. A Mediterranean climate, typical for the coasts of Italy, graces Rome, offering a comfortable spring and autumn. The temperature can reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit and August, which traditionally would cause the city pause its affairs and the inhabitants to seek shelter from the heat, but this trend is disappearing. In the winter, lows below zero are not uncommon, while the high is usually around 55 degrees.

As far as Roman culture is concerned, the city is deeply connected with its ancient roots. Rome has a heavy Catholic population due to its historic ties with the Catholic Church and the Papal States. Protestants and Muslims make up the rest of the religious minority. The language spoken in Rome is a dialect called Romanesco as well as standard Italian. Music, cinema, and sports also make up an important part of the city’s culture, providing several reasons for tourists to visit the city.

As the capital and most populous city of the Catalonia region in Spain, as well as the second largest city in the country, Barcelona is an important cultural and economic hub for Spain. With a total population of over 3 million, Barcelona is a growing city and a popular tourist destination because of the variety of attractions that the city offers.

The founding of Barcelona remains uncertain, with two legends making up the lore on the matter. One legend attributes the creating of the city to Hercules, which was then rebuilt by Hamilcar Barca, a Carthaginian. The second legend gives most of the credit directly to Barca. The entire Iberian Peninsula was controlled by the Romans for a period of time starting in the year 19 BC, but over the course of the next several hundred years, the region would change hands again and again. Barcelona as a Spanish entity began to take shape in the 12th century, while modern Barcelona truly had its beginning in the 1970s.

Barcelona is located on the northeastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula on a plateau facing the Mediterranean Sea. A coastal mountain range shelters the city to the northwest, towering above the city with peaks over 1,600 feet tall. Barcelona enjoys a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry summers, temperatures tending to gravitate away from the extremes. Snowfall is extremely rare, even during the winter, as the average temperature is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sixty eight municipal parks dot the cityscape of Barcelona, providing an escape from the urban environment. Twelve of these are historic, while the rest are either botanical parks, urban parks, or forest parks. Barcelona also has seven beautiful beaches, although the sand tends to be blown away in storms. The city features a historical district and a financial district, one of the most important in Spain because of the influence that the city has on the country.

Entertainment and the performing arts are important parts of Barcelona’s culture, with traditional performances hosted alongside internationally-influenced presentations. Museums feature all areas and eras of artistic, cultural, and historical importance. The architecture is a stunning mix of contemporary styles, old Spanish Colonial style, and authentic Gothic architecture. The work of renowned architect Antonio Gaudi is featured throughout the city.

As the third most populous city in the United States and the largest city in the Midwest, Chicago has long been an important economic and cultural metropolis. Three million people call the city home, and its contribution to the global economy is such that it is classified as an alpha world city.

Until the beginning of the 1800s, Chicago was inhabited by Potawatomi Native Americans. It was then that American settlement of the area began, with the first trading post being constructed in the area in 1803. It was later destroyed in the 1812 Fort Dearborn massacre, marking the hostility between the native people and the colonists, but the land was ceded four years later.

Because of its prime position as a transportation hub between the eastern part of the United States and the western, the population of Chicago exploded, reaching 1 million people by 1890. In the 1920s, the city acquired a reputation for being the base of operations for several gangsters, but the era also brought about great industrial development and economic advancement. Today, the city continues to expand based on a progressive agenda that promotes poor and minority neighborhoods.

Located on the tip of Lake Michigan, Chicago sits on the continental divide. The land on which the city exists is relatively flat, with few minor changes in elevation throughout the city. Lake Michigan has historically been an important part of Chicago’s economy, allowing it to specialize in water transportation. Located in the humid continental zone, Chicago has four distinct seasons, with temperatures reaching 85 degrees Fahrenheit in July and dropping to 17 degrees in January. Annually, Chicago receives about 34 inches of precipitation.

As far as tourism goes, Chicago is a large hub of activity for vacationers who come to experience world-class shopping, fine dining, and a large entertainment district. Chicago’s distinctive architectural beauty also draws many tourists, who come to experience the sights that downtown has to offer. Popular destinations include the Art Institute of Chicago, the Millennium Park, and the historic Chicago Cultural Center.

As the southernmost part of an island that separates the Atlantic Ocean with Biscayne Bay, South Beach, a neighborhood in Miami, Florida, features all of the qualities that make Miami such an appealing city. It has plenty of characteristics that make it its own place as well.

South Beach was originally farmland until it was purchased in 1870 by Henry and Charles Lum for coconut farming. When the brothers left the area in 1886, they ceded the land to John Collins, who would continue their efforts, expanding the amount of land on their parcel. In 1912, Miami businessmen purchased 400 acres of the land with hopes to build single family residences.

Investments by a wealthy businessman allowed Collins to create a bridge between Miami and Miami Beach. This marked the beginning of the area’s development, which continued during the land boom in the 1920s and the architectural revolution of the 1930s. The area became a popular destination for retired people in the 1970s, and then base of operations for the “cocaine cowboys”, drug dealers dabbling in illicit activities. While the area had long been considered a poor area with a lot of crime, attention from the media dispelled the image, and it is now considered one of the most wealthy and commercial areas on the beach.

Today, the area is a major entertainment district, containing many famous nightclubs, restaurants, and boutique hotels, all of which are geared toward the more wealthy tourists. The nightlife can be especially difficult to break into for non-locals and those who do not plan ahead, because it tends to be expensive and exclusive.

One can usually find something to do, though, given the large number of clubs and restaurants spread throughout the city. A large amount of European tourism accounts for a unique multiculturalism; German is the third most spoken language, behind English and Spanish. The area is also uniquely popular for fashion shoots, with more than 1500 models living in the area.

Located at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos or just Cabo as it is known by starry-eyed vacationers, is a popular tourist destination among the wealthy who can afford the increasingly high-end resorts and timeshare clubs. Whether one comes to visit The Corridor, complete with parties and golf courses, or the laidback colonial style of neighboring San Jose, there is much to do in the area.

The first humans came to the southern tip of the peninsula around 14,000 years ago, but the first documented experiences in the area by the Europeans included observations of the native peoples living a subsistence lifestyle. These peoples did not use metals and they gathered roots, fruits, seeds, and shellfish to survive. Many American authors have claimed that the city was founded by Thomas Ritchie who was said to have been in the area from 1828 to 1874, when he supposedly passed away. By the turn of the 20th century, a fishing village had developed, and 1917 marked the arrival of an American country that built a floating tuna platform. Their efforts marked the beginning of development in the city.

Tourism is an important part of the local economy, with visitors coming from all over the world to enjoy the sights as well as the high-end resorts, timeshares, and social scenes. As far as the sights go, many tourists visit Lands End, a stunning rock formation located off the coast of Cabo, which many have argued looks like a Triceratops drinking water from the ocean. The waters off of Cabo are also home to whales in the wintertime, where mothers bear their calves in the warmer water.

Cabo San Lucas is also notorious for its nightlife and vibrant party scene. Places like Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina remain popular spots for the bustling nightlife that often features out-of-control celebrations and revelry. The Corridor is the most popular of these types of tourist destinations, a twenty mile strip resorts, clubs, and residences of Hollywood’s most famous stars. Because of all the wealth in the area, tourist destinations are aimed toward those who have plenty of money to spend.

A small island nation, Singapore is well-known for its status as the only remaining city-state in the entire world. As a primarily English-speaking country, Singapore is a popular tourist destination among Americans and others alike, who visit the country for various reasons.

After juggling back and forth between several different countries as a colony, Singapore finally gained independence in 1963, and ongoing efforts since then have raised the standard of living, curbed unemployment, developed the economic infrastructure, and reduced racial tension. Today, Singapore focuses on building up the economy; for example, the current prime minister decided to open casinos that would attract tourists to the country.

Singapore is composed of 63 islands covering a comparatively small area, but ongoing land reclamation processes promise to increase land area as well as to fuse together separate islands to create larger, more functional areas. A tropical rainforest climate classification means that Singapore has no distinct seasons, a uniform temperature usually around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and high humidity. June and July are the hottest months, while November and December make up the rainy monsoon season.

With an economy focused heavily on trade, business, and tourism, Singapore is a financially successful country with a good standard of living. The majority religion is Buddhism, with a strong Christian, Islamic, and Taoist minority. While the national language of Singapore is Malay, it is mostly for historical reasons, and the most frequently used language is English. As far as dialects are concerned, Singaporean English mixes local language influences and English to produce a distinct variety of the language.

Singaporeans are active sportsmen and sportswomen, participating in a variety of physical activities, ranging from football to cricket. Golf continues to gain popularity in Singapore as well.

The most populous city in Australia, Sydney is an important cultural, economic, and historical hub for the country. As an entertainment center and a popular tourist destination, Sydney sees frequent visitors, Australian and foreign, who come to enjoy the world-class atmosphere that Sydney provides.

As far as Western colonization goes, Sydney was originally a convict colony for British criminals. The immigrants from Great Britain brought diseases that decimated the native populations, while initiatives were set in place to Christianize the rest. By 1842, Sydney was declared the first city in Australia, after undergoing a period of urban development. Economically, the city fared well until the Great Depression, which hit Sydney hard. After it, though, Sydney continued to expand, becoming one of the most multicultural cities in the world.

To the east of Sydney is the Pacific Ocean, and to the west the Hawkesbury River. The topography of the area upon which Sydney stands makes for several submerged valleys, one of which is the famous Sydney Harbor. Spread over the Cumberland Plain and the North Shore, Sydney only came together as a major metropolis after the completion of the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

Sydney enjoys a temperate climate that features warm summers and mild winters. There is a moderate amount of rainfall throughout the year, divided pretty evenly throughout the year. El Niño plays a significant role in shaping Sydney’s weather, allowing oscillations back and forth between drought and flooding.

The city is home to some of Australia’s largest cultural and social events. Musical festivals and parades are a few of the many events held in the city, while fixtures like the Sydney Opera House and Luna Park provide year-round entertainment. Sydney also has a very active nightlife, including such popular hotspots as Kings Cross and Oxford Street.