Monthly Archives: August 2022

Ethiopia – the cradle of civilization – continues to welcome tourists from the Atlanta area seeking historic cultural treasures, exotic natural beauty, and warm hospitality.  Ethiopia’s importance in the origins of mankind was confirmed by the 1972 discovery of “Lucy”, a fossilized 3.2 million-year-old female near the Awash River.  Today, tourism is the largest sector of the nation’s economy after agriculture. While “Lucy” was touring the United States and the United Kingdom in the first decade of the 21st century, visitors from other countries flocked to Ethiopia to explore its deep cultural history.  

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (previously known as Abyssinia) is located in northeastern Africa in the Horn of Africa.  Unique among African countries, Ethiopia resisted colonial rule for centuries -- until a brief Italian occupation during World War II.  Strategically located near the Middle East and Europe, Ethiopia’s access to major regional ports makes it a center of international trade and global influences.  More than 110 million Ethiopians live in a country covering more than 470,000 square miles –an area larger than France and Spain combined.  The population is a melting pot of African and Middle Eastern cultures, comprised of 80 various ethnic group who speak 90+ languages.  Almost two-thirds of Ethiopians are Christians, with most of the remaining inhabitants practicing Islam.  Half of the Ethiopian population was Jewish before Christianity was declared the national religion in the Fourth Century.  Today there are still several synagogues remaining in active use.

UPDATED January 21, 2024

Portland is the most populous city in the state of Oregon and the second-most populous city in the Pacific Northwest after Seattle.  The Portland metropolitan area has a population of 2.5 million people and is the 25th most populous metropolis in the United States.  The city is located on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, which meet on the northern end of the Willamette Valley.  The valley stretches for 150 miles between forested mountains containing rich farmland and scenic views.  Over 250 agricultural items are produced in Oregon, including many food products that are exported to China such as potatoes, seafood, hazelnuts, and wine.  There are an estimated 35,000 people in the Portland area with Chinese heritage and the city has a long history of Chinese immigration that goes back to the 1850s.  These newcomers from China came to Oregon to work on the railroads, canneries, and lumber mills.  Today residents of Portland can learn about this bit of history by visiting the Portland Chinatown Museum.  There are also opportunities for locals to learn about Chinese culture and study Mandarin and Cantonese at the Portland Chinese Language School.  And for those interested in doing business with China, the Oregon China Council offers events and various programs for Portlanders. 

Many residents of Charlotte may not know about the hidden treasures of Mozambique, but with the increase in travel to East Africa, more and more people are discovering the African wildlife and tropical beaches of the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”.

The Republic of Mozambique, located in southeastern Africa on the Indian Ocean, is slightly larger than the combined land areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.  Portuguese settlers ruled the area for more than 400 years before the country gained independence in 1975.  The official language remains Portuguese, although most residents speak one of the native languages as their primary language.  English-speakers are also common, especially in tourist-friendly regions along the coast and around major cities, particularly in southern Mozambique.  The combination of European and African influences has created unique cultural and culinary experiences.

Sri Lanka remains a popular destination for Atlanta area tourists seeking cultural experiences and spectacular natural beauty.  The pear-shaped island nation in the Indian Ocean offers amazing beaches, ancient cities, safari wildlife tours, and modern amenities in a unique South Asian environment.   

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was previously known as Ceylon before 1948, when it was under British rule.  The country’s population of some 22 million includes members of several Asian ethnic groups, primarily the Sinhalese (75%), Tamils, Moors, and Malays.  The two official languages are Sinhala and Tamil.  However, English remains the “link language” that is used for education and commercial purposes.  Buddhism is the official religion of Sri Lanka and has the largest number of practitioners, while Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity are also represented.  Buddhism and Hinduism are also the main influences on Sri Lankan culture, although echoes of the British, Portuguese and Dutch colonial eras still linger.  Despite the lengthy flight time from North America to South Asia, citizens of the United States and Canada rank among the top 10 nationalities visiting Sri Lanka.

While Uzbekistan is likely off the radar for most Atlanta area residents who are considering international travel, the country is considered the most popular tourist destination in Central Asia and is famous for its cultural sites, architectural treasures, and outdoor activities.  Many of its cities were important stops on the Great Silk Road, the vast caravan trade routes that linked Eastern and Western civilizations from 200 B.C. through the Middle Ages.  Recently, the World Tourism Organization opened its Silk Road Office in Samarkand in coordination with international efforts to promote Silk Road tourism throughout the region.  The city was selected as the 2023 World Tourism Capital by the UN World Tourism Organization. 

The Republic of Uzbekistan was formed in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union, ending more than 100 years of Russian rule.  Landlocked Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia with more than 34.5 million people.  Uzbeks make up 80% of a population that also includes Russians and Tartars.  Muslims make up 95% of its citizens, while the Uzbek and Russian languages are the most commonly spoken.

Greater Houston is the fifth most-populous metropolitan area in the United States and has a population of over 7 million residents.  It encompasses nine counties and includes the cities of Sugar Land, Baytown, Conroe, Pasadena, Pearland, The Woodlands, League City, and Galveston.  This is a fast-growing and youthful city that attracts entrepreneurs, corporate businesspeople, international investors, and students.  Houston is one of America’s most ethnically diverse cities and its global presence has been growing in recent years.  It has the third-largest population of Hispanics in the United States.  Although the majority of Hispanics in Houston have Mexican and Central American heritage, there is a growing number of Cubans and other Spanish speakers from the Caribbean region.  In recent years there has been an increase in Cuban migrants coming through the Texas-Mexico border and settling in Houston.  There are an estimated 50,000 Cubans now living in Houston and about 100,000 throughout the state of Texas.  The city is home to Casa Cuba Houston, an organization whose mission is to preserve Cuban culture and traditions.  Houston also plays host to the annual Puerto Rican & Cuban Festival, which celebrates Cuban art, music, dance and Spanish Caribbean culture.

UPDATED September 21, 2022 (Please see message below regarding COVID-19 Restrictions)

The Greater Miami Area is the seventh-largest metropolitan area in the United States and has a population of 6.2 million people.  The metro area is composed of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County.  Its main cities include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Hialeah, Coral Gables, Miami Gardens, Miramar, Homestead, Davie, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, and Boca Raton.  Miami is considered the unofficial “Capital of Latin America” because it is a hub for transportation, culture, international trade, and finance for the Latin American and Caribbean region.  It plays this role as a center of transportation and distribution not only for American companies, but also for Asia-based firms.  The Japanese have a strong economic presence in Miami and the state of Florida, having over 140 companies operating here.  Famous brands like Hitachi, Honda, Mitsubishi, Sony, Sumitomo, and Konica Minolta operate in Florida and export their products throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.  Likewise, Miami area companies like Office Depot, Kaplan, Citrix Systems, ADT Corporation, Hard Rock Cafe, and others do business in Japan.  Miami residents interested in learning about the culture of Japan can visit The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach. 

Tanzania remains a popular destination for Atlanta area tourists seeking a variety of unique adventures.  From the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to African bush safaris and the tropical islands of the Zanzibar archipelago, “the green land” promises numerous one-of-a-kind natural experiences.

The United Republic of Tanzania, located in eastern Africa on the Indian Ocean, was formed in 1964 by the union of two former British colonies: Tanganyika and Zanzibar.  The country’s population of more than 65 million people blends more than 120 ethnic groups, creating a unique Swahili culture composed of African, Arab, European, and Asian influences.  More than 100 languages are spoken in Tanzania.  Most locals speak Swahili, but English is still used in secondary and higher education, foreign trade, and high court proceedings.

Detroit is the largest city in the state of Michigan and the second largest metropolitan area in the Midwest (after Chicago).  Detroit is better known by its nickname “Motor City”, or “Motown”, because of its prominence as the global center of the automotive industry.  Although the city has certainly had its share of ups and downs, Detroit remains an important and influential American city.  The Detroit metropolitan area, known as Metro Detroit, has a population of 4.3 million and is the fourteenth-largest metropolis in the United States.  Metro Detroit includes the towns of Dearborn, Royal Oak, Auburn Hills, Livonia, Southfield, Rochester Hills, Warren, Pontiac, Troy, Sterling Heights, and other municipalities.  Just across the Ambassador Bridge—which spans the Detroit River and connects the city of Detroit and Windsor—sits Canada and the province of Ontario.  Although Windsor is a Canadian city, it has a close relationship with Detroit and is affectionately known by some as “South Detroit”.  Everyday thousands of Canadians cross into Detroit by car to make short-term trips for shopping and entertainment.  This border crossing is also an important commercial link between the United States and Canada.  Over one-fourth of goods traded between our two countries are transported across the Ambassador Bridge. 

Los Angeles is America’s second most populous city after New York.  Greater Los Angeles—which includes Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, Ventura County, and Orange County—has a population of nearly 19 million people.  Known for its endless sprawl, Greater Los Angeles is the largest metropolitan region in the United States by land area and includes over 200 cities such as Santa Monica, Pasadena, Culver City, Burbank, Long Beach, Carson, Irvine, Anaheim, and Inglewood.  Los Angeles and the Southern California region have always attracted newcomers from all over the world because of its huge economy.  It is an especially attractive destination for young people interested in the film and music industry.  Sharing a common language and culture, it’s not uncommon for New Zealanders to make their way to Los Angeles in search of new career opportunities.  Los Angeles is also home to America’s largest seaport and is an important entry point for New Zealand exports like wine, meat, and dairy products.  The government of New Zealand has a consulate in Los Angeles along with an office that promotes trade ties with America (called New Zealand Trade and Enterprise).  Kiwis in LA is an organization for New Zealanders that hosts social and business networking events.