Monthly Archives: August 2025

The north-central African nation of Chad is not a common destination for casual tourists from Philadelphia and other cities throughout the Northeast region -- even with considerable natural attractions and cultural treasures. “Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, Chad is home to a variety of ecosystems, ranging from deserts to savannas to wetlands, making it a treasure trove for nature lovers ,” according to the travel site Mister Story (https://www.misterstory.com/p/discovering-the-natural-wonders-of-chad-a-journey-through-its-diverse-ecosystems/). “Chad is a country with a rich and diverse natural landscape that is waiting to be discovered.”

The Republic of Chad is the fifth-largest country by size in Africa yet ranks 18^th in population at 18.3 million.  The landlocked nation is bordered by Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Libya, Nigeria, Niger, and Sudan.  The country is home to some 200 ethnic and linguistic groups.  Its official languages are Arabic and French, while the main religions are Islam (55%) and Christianity (41%).  Conquered by France in 1920 and merged into the colony of French Equatorial Africa colony, Chad gained its independence in 1960.

Belgium attracted more than 9.7 million foreign travelers in 2023 and recorded 44.7 million overnight stays – a new national record.  Almost half a million U.S. citizens visited that year, including travelers from Birmingham and other towns throughout Alabama, placing the United States as the top overseas country for travelers to the “Crossroads of Europe.”

“Travelers often overlook Belgium in favor of neighbors like France and the Netherlands, but it’s one of Europe’s best kept secrets,” according to Lonely Planet. “While its history means Belgium is linguistically and culturally diverse, it’s also small and compact, making it easy to hop between destinations.  From perfect fries and chocolate to accessible nature breaks, picturesque medieval towns, and vibrant art and fashion scenes, there's plenty to experience in Belgium.” (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-to-visit-in-belgium)

The Kingdom of Belgium, located in the Low Countries region of northwestern Europe, borders France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the North Sea.  Its government and major institutions are structured around three autonomous regions: Fleming, Walloon, and the Brussels-Capital regions.  The 11.2 million residents primarily speak one of the three official languages: Dutch (60%), French (less than 40%), and German.  Brussels is Belgium’s capital and largest metropolitan area; other major cities include Antwerp, Ghent, Liege, and Bruges.

Residents of Boston and others througout the New England region looking for lush island beaches, rich cultural attractions, and a relaxed cosmopolitan lifestyle are increasingly drawn to the Kingdom of Bahrain.  An archipelago of 33 islands in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain is located between the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the Middle East.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has been a constitutional monarchy since 2002.  Originally the center of the ancient Dilmun civilization, Bahrain has been ruled by Arabs; became part of the Portuguese Empire; and was a protectorate of Great Britain for almost a century before gaining independence 1971.  The country has been famous since ancient times for its pearl fisheries and seagoing trade routes.  In 1932, Bahrain became the first Persian Gulf country to discover petroleum, transforming the country into one of the wealthiest nations in the world.  Its strategic position in the Persian Gulf accounts for the U.S. Naval Support Activity (NSA) station there.

South Korea – the home of “K-pop culture,” the global music, entertainment, and fashion phenomenon – drew more than 25 million foreign visitors in 2024 as more people from Jacksonville and other towns throughout Florida come to experience the “Korean Wave” for themselves.  The United States consistently ranks among the top five sources for visitors, trailing only nearby China, Japan, and Taiwan.

“South Korea is a frequent character in conversations around the world, thanks to its cutting-edge technology, world-class cuisine, chart-topping pop bands, and some of the most exciting movies and TV series being made anywhere,” Lonely Planet reported. (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/things-to-know-before-traveling-to-south-korea)

The Republic of South Korea occupies the southern half of Asia’s Korean Peninsula.  The country is located between the Sea of Japan (known as the East Sea in Korea) and the Yellow Sea, and shares a land border with North Korea (which occupies the remainder of the peninsula).  South Korea also includes two volcanic islands and several rocky islets.  More than 51 million people live in South Korea, almost half of whom reside in the metropolitan area around the capital city of Seoul.

Liberia -- the West African nation founded by free Afro-Americans some 200 years ago – is moving beyond a turbulent recent past to encourage tourism and trade opportunities with visitors from Fresno and other towns throughout the Central Valley.  The country is also known as “Little America,” reflecting historic and cultural ties with the United States that continue into the present. 

“This little-known country truly is a land of ‘unique West African discoveries’ – a wildlife attractive adventure for outdoor active explorers and travelers seeking out its incredible and unique water sport and nature experiences,” according to Liberia Tourism’s official website (https://enjoyliberia.travel/).  Lonely Planet added, “Liberia, a lush, green, friendly and vibrant land, offers everything from excellent surf spots and shops selling wares by edgy local designers to days spent lolling in a comfy hammock on the edge of the rainforest while listening to tropical birds sing.” The publication added the country “still hangs on to a confident American spirit mixed with West African roots.  And despite the ravages of the past, it is a fantastic place to travel, full of hope and energy.” (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/liberia)

The Republic of Liberia – which means “land of the free” – is bordered by Guinea, the Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and the Atlantic Ocean.  The area has been inhabited by indigenous people since the 12th Century.  From the 14^th through the 17^th centuries, Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders built trading posts in the region, which they referred to as the Pepper Coast or the Grain Coast.  In the early 1800s, a movement emerged in the United States to resettle freed and free-born African-Americans back to Africa.  The American Colonization Society (ACS) led the resettlement campaign, believing that African-Americans had a better chance at freedom in Africa than in the Americas.  In 1822, the ACS began sending volunteers to the Pepper Coast to establish a colony.  By 1867, more than 13,000 people from the United States and the Caribbean had relocated to the area.  Today, about five percent of Liberia’s 5.7 million citizens are Americo-Liberians descended from the early ACS colonists.  English remains the official language (although more than 20 indigenous dialects are spoken) and Christianity is the dominant religion.

The Central African Republic, a landlocked nation at the heart of the continent, is one of the least visited countries for residents of the Kansas City area.  Despite its vast natural resources, the country is one of the poorest and most fragile countries in the world.  It also ranks as the unhealthiest, the worst country for children, and among the bottom 10 for education and hunger. “It’s never a good sign when you land in a country and the first thing you see are planes from the United Nations, World Food Programme or Médecins Sans Frontiers {Doctors without Borders},” the travel blog Road to 197 reported in 2024 (https://www.roadto197.com/2024/01/14/trip-report-central-african-republic/). “In such situations you realize that things are not good in the country, that the country has serious issues….”

Known as French Equatorial Africa during the European colonial period, the Central African Republic (CAR) attained independence in 1960.  Ruled for 15 years by brutal dictator Jean-Bedel Bokassa, the country has since endured decades of civil war, corruption, and human rights abuses. “Do not travel to the Central African Republic (CAR),” the U.S. State Department warns, citing violent crimes, kidnappings, and armed rebels. “Although there have been no specific incidents of violence or threats targeting U.S. citizens, civil unrest, demonstrations, and election-related violence (including renewed outbreaks of armed conflict) may occur throughout the country.” (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/central-african-republic-travel-advisory.html)  More than 15,000 UN peacekeepers were in the CAR during 2024.

Sierra Leone -- considered West Africa’s best-kept beach destination secret -- is leveraging its natural attractions and resources to attract more tourists and businesspeople from Mobile and other towns throughout the state of Alabama. 

“Sweet sands rise from the soft waters of the Atlantic, with the backdrop dressed in sun-stained hues, rainforest green and the red, red roads of the north.” Lonely Planet wrote of Sierra Leone. (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/sierra-leone) The publication added, “You can take your pick from islands, rainforests, and national parks; museums, great restaurants, and cultural activities also beckon.  And if taking it easy is more your speed, well, you’ll fit right in: as Sierra Leoneans will tell you, there’s nothing better than chilling on one of the gorgeous beaches, soaking up the sun – and the natural beauty.” (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-things-to-do-in-sierra-leone)

The Republic of Sierra Leone is bordered by Guinea, Liberia, and the Atlantic Ocean.  A small country covering about 28,200 square miles, Sierra Leone (Portuguese for “lioness mountain”) is a culturally diverse country of 8.8 million people and 18 ethnic groups.  More than one percent of the population consists of Creoles (descendants of freed African-Americans), freed Afro-Caribbean slaves, and liberated Africans.  English remains the official language, but 98% of people speak the local dialect, Krio.

Portugal, long a popular destination for international travelers from Chicago and other cities throughout Illinois, continues to set new tourism records by recording 10.5 million overnight stays and 3.8 million visitors in August 2024 alone.  More than two million U.S. citizens visited Portugal in 2023, ranking it third only to neighboring Spain and the nearby United Kingdom for foreign visitors.

While many tourists flock to the largest metropolitan areas, Lisbon and Porto, “There's so much more to Portugal than its captivating historic cities.” Lonely Planet reported. “From golden beaches and mountainous peaks to lush river valleys, every region has its own diverse highlights across this small Iberian nation.” (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-to-visit-in-portugal)

Portugal is located along the western coast of the Iberian Peninsula, sharing a land border with Spain.  Its 500-mile coastline borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and the country includes the island regions of Madeira and the Azores.  While the nation only covers some 35,600 miles, its imperial history continues to affect other nations and cultures around the world.  During the Age of Discovery, the Kingdom of Portugal’s maritime empire made the country a major political and economic power, including trading powers and colonies stretching from Africa to the coasts of the South Atlantic and Indian oceans.  However, Portugal endured centuries of internal political conflicts, civil wars, and foreign intervention until 1974’s Carnation Revolution established the current Portuguese Republic.  As a result, there are more than 250 million Portuguese speakers globally in former colonies such as Brazil and Macau, as well as 10.6 million people who live in Portugal.  

New Zealand – the island nation whose lush forests, snow-capped peaks, and stark landscapes provided unforgettable settings for the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and “Mission Impossible: Fallout” – is also a popular travel destination for tourists and businesspeople from Denver and other towns throughout Colorado.  The United States ranks second only to neighboring Australia as the top source for visitors to New Zealand, which was originally known as Aotearoa, the "land of the long white cloud."

“Spectacular and diverse, New Zealand (Aotearoa) is one of the world's most memorable destinations,” Lonely Planet reported. “From its inspirational Māori cultural experiences to its epic and otherworldly national parks, it can be hard to narrow down what to do.  You can spend your days soaking in the urban energy of Auckland and Wellington, challenging yourself on outdoor adventures around Queenstown, cycling through Central Otago’s historic towns and big-sky landscapes, or trying to spot the country’s iconic kiwi bird on Stewart Island/Rakiura.” (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/top-things-to-do-in-new-zealand)

India -- one of the most diverse countries in the world for culture, language, religious, and wildlife -- continues to attract a growing number of leisure and business travelers from Reno and others living throughout Western Nevada.  A record 18.9 million foreigners visited the country known as the “Golden Sparrow” last year, with the United States ranking second among international tourists.

“India is a place that overwhelms your senses in the best possible way – nowhere else delivers quite the same barrage of sights, sounds and sensations as this continent-sized country at the heart of Asia,” Lonely Planet reported. (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/things-to-know-before-traveling-to-india). “It would take a lifetime to see all of India,” the report continued. “But with a little preparation, you can learn to navigate the richness of this country, from its snow-capped peaks and velvety beaches to its historic temples and luxuriant palaces.”

The Republic of India, also known as the subcontinent, covers more than 1.26 million square miles in South Asia.  The republic borders Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan, as well as the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea.  The country’s Andaman and Nickobar islands also share maritime borders with Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand.  In 2023, India surpassed China as the most populous country in the world and currently has a population exceeding 1.46 billion people.  Eighty percent of its people follow the Hindu religious, while about 14% are Muslims, giving India the largest Muslim population for a non-Muslim country.  More than 120 languages are spoken here, with Hindi and English being the most widely used.