• United States!

    United States: Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Go Now!

    United States
    Explore the vast openness and wildlife found roaming in the western United States, including Theodore Roosevelt National Park (pictured) in North Dakota. Begin Your Journey!

  • Trinidad & Tobago!

    Trinidad & Tobago: Beautiful Coastline. Go Now!

    Trinidad & Tobago
    These Caribbean islands mix Indian, African, and European cultures alongside beautiful beaches. Go Now!

  • St. Kitts & Nevis!

    St. Kitts & Nevis: Nevis Island. Go Now!

    St. Kitts & Nevis
    This island nation mixes aspects of European, African, and Caribbean culture... not to mention incredible beaches. Go Now!

  • Honduras!

    Honduras: Children. Go Now!

    Honduras
    The original banana republic, Honduras has made a name for itself with the banana trade; however foreign influences have also vastly altered the culture. Go Now!

  • Mexico!

    Mexico: Sunrise over the mountains in Puerto Vallarta. Go Now!

    Mexico
    Although many people just go for the beaches, Mexico offers impressive mountain vistas (pictured in Puerto Vallarta), great food, and historic ruins that compete with the best in the world. Begin Your Journey!

  • Barbados!

    Barbados: Pier on the beach. Go Now!

    Barbados
    This Caribbean island has hints of British culture, but is wholly Caribbean as well. Explore Barbados!

Geography, Weather, & Wildlife of the United States of America

Geography

American Geography - Yellowstone
Yellowstone

The United States is located in North America and stretches from the Pacific Ocean in the west to the Atlantic Ocean in the east. In the north the U.S. state of Alaska also borders the Arctic Ocean. In the continental U.S.'s north stands Canada and in the south is Mexico, but the U.S. has no other land borders.

American Geography - Rockies
Rockies

The U.S.A. is an incredibly diverse country in terms of geography. In the country's far west is the Pacific Ocean coast and a number of small, but dramatic mountain chains, including the Coast Range and the Cascade Mountains. Before reaching the peaks of the Rocky Mountains, there is a highland plateau, which is mostly dessert, particularly in the south, stretching from California New Mexico and north as far as Utah. After hitting the tall Rocky Mountains, which run north and south, the Great Plains begin and slowly decline in elevation as they move east to the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. This central part of the country acts as a drainage system for the country, with many rivers meeting and flowing south into the Gulf of Mexico. The landscape then rises again into the Appalachian Mountains, which are more like large rolling hills in many areas. As you hit the eastern Atlantic Ocean coast the land is fairly flat, but there are a lot of rocky outcrops and landscapes along the rough ocean. Despite these rocky coasts the eastern coast is very populated as is much of the Midwest, south, and west coast.

Two other parts of the country include the Pacific Ocean island chain of Hawai'i and the state of Alaska, which sits to Canada's northwest. Hawai'i is an island chain created by volcanic activity and the islands are rocky and mountains to reflect this. Alaska is a very mountainous state as numerous small mountains chains run through the state, which also contains the highest peak in North America, Mt. Denali, which sits in the Alaska Range.

Weather

It's always the perfect time to visit the U.S.A. If you want beaches and resorts, the weather is perfect in the south nearly year round, particularly in Hawai'i, Florida, and southern California. If you want snow and skiing, Alaska never closes and during the winter months much of the north, the Rocky Mountains, and the Appalachian Mountains are covered.

Due to its vast size, temperatures in the U.S.A. vary greatly. Parts of Hawai'i average about 76˚ F (24˚ C) year round, whereas Anchorage, Alaska's biggest city only averages 58˚ F (14˚ C) in their hottest month of July, while the months of November-February rarely get above freezing in Anchorage (32˚ F (0˚ C)).

Wildlife

American Wildlife - Eagle
Eagle

As a large country, but more importantly, a large country covering numerous climatic regions, the U.S.A. has a very large and impressive wildlife listing. The country is perhaps best known for some of its large mammals, such as the deer, moose, wolves, bears, and buffalo. There are also dozens of mid-sized and small mammals, including the fox, raccoon, beavers, hares, squirrels, and skunk. This mammalian diversity stretches to the oceans as whales, dolphins, and manatees are present along the coasts. Additionally, with the arrival of European immigrants this diversity has expanded to include horses and cattle among others. Other sea life is incredibly diverse as well, with lobsters, shrimp, oysters, salmon, cod, bass, and other salt water fish and shellfish off the coasts and hundreds of fresh water fish species in the lakes and rivers inland including perch, trout, carp, and pike.

American Wildlife - Bison
Bison

There are also a huge number of birds, many of which migrate north and south with the seasonal changes. Geese, robins, herons, jays, cranes, owls, hummingbirds, cardinals, loons, crows, and more are present along the water and inland. There are also some larger birds, such as the hawk and eagle, which fly high and the turkey, which tends to remain on its feet. Among the reptiles and amphibians, there are many snakes, some alligators, and iguanas, all primarily found in the south. Insects are also common, particularly during the warm summer months.

This page was last updated: November, 2013