North America is the third-largest continent in the world after Asia and Africa by size and the fourth-largest by population behind Asia, Africa, and Europe. People have lived in North America for over 20,000 years, with cultures shifting and changing throughout the centuries. The Clovis culture is one of the earliest. Its people were hunter-gatherers and most likely hunted big game such as mammoths, mastodons, bison, and horses. Mound Builder cultures spanned the period between 3500 BCE and the 16th century CE.
Southern cultural groups were responsible for the domestication of crops such as maize, tomatoes, squash, and chocolate, which are now staples throughout the world. The Mayans developed a complex writing system and calendar, built pyramids, and invented the concept of zero around 400 CE. The Aztecs developed advanced agricultural systems, including the chinampa (which involves creating artificial islands in shallow lake beds), impressive urban centers (such as Tenochtitlán and Teotihuacán), aqueducts, and causeways. The continent is amazing for visitors, regardless of what you want to do, so whether you’re a fan of history and culture or want to go exploring in nature, you will definitely find something perfect for you out there.
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New York City
New York City is the most populous city in the US and a global hub for finance, entertainment, technology, culture, the arts, and academia. Central Park, Times Square, the Bronx Zoo, Midtown Manhattan, and the UN headquarters are among the best-known landmarks in the city, but there are several others you should add to your itinerary as well. Remember to look up the best Holafly plans for North America before you leave so that you can take pictures of all the places you visit. There are several incredible museums you can visit in New York, such as the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, with the floors including exhibits such as the “Peopling of America”, “New Eras of Immigration”, “Through America’s Gate”, “Silent Voices”, and “Treasures from Home”.
The Museum of Modern Art, the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, the Met Cloisters, the 9/11 Memorial, and the Morgan Library & Museum should all be seen at least once in your lifetime as well. If you’re more of a fan of the great outdoors, though, try the Appalachian Trail, the Long Path, or the Empire State Trail for some of the best hiking journeys of your life.
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a self-governing territorial overseas collectivity of France in the northwestern Atlantic. According to the 2022 census, there were 5,819 residents in Saint Pierre, so if you’re looking for a peaceful and tranquil destination, this is definitely the best spot for you. You can sign up for a 75-minute guided architecture and history tour at the St. Pierre Visitor Information Centre and spend the day wandering among colorful houses and outdoor markets. The houses are equipped with a tambour, a tiny, enclosed entrance where people remove their coats and boots in winter.
You can also visit the small, uninhabited Île-aux-Marins located just off the coast. Cod fish is carried out here between April and October, and you can also see the Archipélitude Museum, the island’s heritage institution, a wreck of the Transpacific, and the Maisons Grise and Nénesse on the island.
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous territory in the Kingdom of Denmark, the largest of the kingdom’s constituent parts, with the other two being metropolitan Denmark and the Faroe Islands. Greenland is the largest island in the world, lying between the Arctic and the Atlantic, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. 67% of the electricity produced here comes from renewable energy, mainly hydropower. Nuuk is the capital and most populous city in Greenland, but at the same time, one of the smallest capital cities on the planet. However, it nonetheless has plenty to offer for its tourists.
You will find the historic center of Old Nuuk along the coast. It was founded in 1728 and was originally referred to as Godthaab. The market of Kalaaliaraq is located here, as well as the Nuuk Cathedral, and rows and rows of friendly, colorful houses. Heading south from Old Nuuk, you will find the Nuuk Boardwalk gripping the rugged coasts. The views over the fjord are second-to-none, making it the perfect pedestrian spot with stunning panoramas. If you love wildlife, you can join a puffin-watching tour via Nuuk Water Taxi. You will sail all the way to an island inhabited by puffins, some of which you will be able to spot even before you arrive, as they will fly by your boat.
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can try a polar plunge. People do them in the morning, next to the Mother of the Sea statue, but if it’s your first try, you can definitely have your attempt later in the day as well. Make sure to bring a towel and a thermos filled with a hot drink, as you’ll definitely need them after the plunge.
Mexico
Mexico is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and it’s not difficult to see why. The country has a rich culture, incredibly diverse landscapes, and one of the best cuisines in the world, all of which attract millions of visitors every year. Yucatán is home to El Castillo, a Mesoamerican step-pyramid at the center of Chichen Itza, an archaeological site that was once a large Maya city. It served as a temple to K’uk’ulkan, a Feathered Serpent deity similar to the Aztec deity Quetzalcōātl. You should also make time to visit the Cenote Ik-Kil, a stunningly looking sinkhole adorned with hanging vines and waterfalls.
The light filters in from above, and archaeologists have discovered jewelry and bones in the depths, as the area was once a Mayan sacrificial site. You will have to descend 85 feet of winding, short steps to reach the water. However, you need to rinse off first to prevent any chemicals or debris from entering the ecosystem. Visiting Mexico is also an excellent option for those who want to sample a variety of cuisines, as the culinary offerings here are outstanding. Le Chique, Jardin Nebulosa, Bruna, Tencüi, Jazamango, and Pahua are among the best restaurants in Mexico.
No matter what you’re looking for, you can be sure to find it in North America. Whether it is sunny weather or glaciers, cuisine or history, hiking trails or sprawling cities, the continent has it all. The good news is that every single destination has plenty to offer, so you won’t be disappointed regardless of which one you choose.
