State Profiles ALABAMA Sweet Home Alabama
State Information: Alabama Tourist Dept • 020 8339 6122 •
www.alabama.travel www.deep-south-usa.com/alabama • Population: 4.6 million • State Capital: Montgomery • Largest City: Birmingham • Local Time: CST – 6 hrs behind UK • Weather: Summer av. temp 80F (27C) with winter averages of 46F (8C) in the north and 52F (11C) in the south • National/State Parks: 24 • International Gateway: Atlanta
V
isit 'Sweet Home Alabama', nestled in the centre of the Deep
South states and within easy reach of Atlanta, Memphis and New Orleans. Home to legendary singer Hank
Williams and also to W.C. Handy, 'Father of The Blues', Alabama is steeped in music. North Alabama is renowned for its amazing scenery of lakes, mountains and canyons as well as the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. Located near the centre of the state, Birmingham’s nightlife is distinguished by jazz music and fabulous dining. In state capital Montgomery, visit the
starting point of both America's Civil War and Civil Rights Movement. Mobile in the south is home to America's first Mardi Gras while across the bay, in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, 32 miles of white sands await. Golfers can enjoy world class golf on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
Adirondack chairs on Alabama's Gulf Shores
STATE SECRET: In Muscle Shoals visitors can tour two music studios where international superstars including Aretha Franklin and Cher recorded in the 60s and 70s!
DON'T MISS: Alabama's 32 miles of white sandy beaches on the Gulf Coast and celebrate wonderful cuisine in 2013, our 'Year of Food'.
ALASKA The Last Frontier
State Information: State of Alaska • 020 7953 7470 •
alaska@lotus-uk.co.uk •
www.alaska.travel • Population: 722,000 • State Capital: Juneau • Largest City: Anchorage • Local Time: Alaskan – 9 hours behind UK • Weather: Anchorage 5F (-15C) in winter to 68F (20C) in summer; Juneau 30F (-1C) to 61F (16C) • National/State Parks: 17 • International Gateways: Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau
B
ig and beautiful, Alaska, the 49th state is bursting with superlatives
including the highest peak in North America, the largest national park, the greatest concentration of glaciers and the largest national forest. It is a place of magnificence and beauty; an inspirational holiday destination. Cruise visitors can experience the
overwhelming beauty of the state’s stunning glaciers, scenery and wildlife, but it is for those that explore further afield that Alaska truly comes to life. Alaska’s wilderness is home to some of the most impressive wildlife in America from brown bears to whales, bald eagles to caribou, and much of its vast landscape leaves visitors with an unforgettable sense of serenity. Pepper this with cosmopolitan
towns, interesting Alaskan Native culture and an abundance of unforgettable moments, and you have a truly unique holiday.
Alaska's pristine wilderness sparkles and shines
STATE SECRET: The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) can be seen on average for some 240 nights a year from Fairbanks.
DON'T MISS: Humpback whales feeding in June and July in Alaska’s Inside Passage where over 500 whales congregate to feed.
AMERICAN SAMOA
State Information: Samoa Tourism Authority • 001 684 699 9411 •
www.americansamoa.travel • Population: 70,000 • State Capital/Largest City: Pago Pago • Local Time: 12 hours behind UK time • Weather: Tropical climate with heaviest rain between December and April. Best time to visit is May to September • National/State Parks: 1 • International Gateway: Pago Pago International Airport
A
merican Samoa's five islands (and two atolls) are located in the
heart of Polynesia, with Hawaii, Rapanui (Easter Island) and New Zealand making up the three points of the Polynesian triangle. The Samoan Islands (which are
made up of American Samoa – the eastern part of the Samoan Archipelago – and Independent Samoa) were first discovered by European explorers in the 18th century but the islands have been inhabited for more than 3000 years. The islands offer the unspoiled
natural beauty of Polynesian life and Samoan culture. Archaeologists believe that the early
Polynesians travelled from South East Asia into the Pacific area populating the islands of the western Pacific right through from Papua New Guinea to Tonga and Samoa.
American Samoa's aquamarine waters are a major attraction 34
STATE SECRET: American Samoa has a total land area of 76 square miles made up of five volcanic islands (Tutuila, Aunu’u, Ofu, Olosega and Ta’ú) and two atolls (Rose and Swains).
DON'T MISS: The American Samoa National Parks on the islands of Tutuila and Manu'a, the only national park south of the Equator featuring a pre- historic rainforest.
ARIZONA The Grand Canyon State
State Information: Arizona Office of Tourism • 020 7367 0938 •
www.ArizonaGuide.com • Population: 6.4 million • State capital/Largest city: Phoenix • Local time: Mountain time. 7 hours behind UK in winter • Weather: Nearly consistent sunshine – over 330 days a year. • National/State parks: Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest plus 20 other areas. • International Gateway: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport
F
rom sun-drenched desert cities, spas and dazzling resorts to
Native American and Hispanic heritage and Old West legends, Arizona is an inspiring destination with adventurous guest ranches, diverse shopping, exhilarating sports and much more. Arizona offers an amazing range of
places to fish, sail, swim, peddle, paddle or just relax. Climb into the sky by balloon or hang-glider, explore the depths of great caves, go whitewater rafting or put miles between you and civilisation on horseback. With over 300 courses, Arizona is
regarded as the birthplace of desert- style golf with many alpine fairways and traditional courses. With such variety to choose from, avid golfers are sure to find a tee to suit their taste. Looking for accommodation with a
difference? Alongside campgrounds and cabins, try a houseboat on Lake Powell or a Navajo Hogan.
Arizona's stunning desert landscapes are a big draw
www.visitusa.org.uk
STATE SECRET: You can ski in Flagstaff, Arizona. Arizona Snowbowl is one of the oldest, continually run ski areas in the US.
DON'T MISS: The Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world is over a mile deep, 277 miles long and 18 miles at its widest.
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