Selling_VVG Destinations_NN2 North_ND1 America_NP1 Charm_NN1 of_IO the_AT Familiar_JJ Think_VV0 you_PPY know_VV0 North_ND1 America_NP1 ?_? 
Then_RT where_CS in_II Canada_NP1 do_VD0 cars_NN2 appear_VVI to_TO roll_VVI uphill_RL backward_RL ?_? 
In_II what_DDQ city_NN1 is_VBZ Disneyland_NP1 located_VVD ?_? 
Which_DDQ North_NP1 American_JJ region_NN1 has_VHZ the_AT most_DAT thunderstorms_NN2 yearly_RR ?_? 
Maybe_RR you_PPY knew_VVD the_AT answers_NN2 ,_, maybe_RR not_XX ._. 
(_( The_AT answers_NN2 ,_, in_II order_NN1 :_: Magnetic_JJ Hill_NN1 in_II Moncton_NP1 ,_, New_NP1 Brunswick_NP1 ;_; Anaheim_NP1 ,_, California_NP1 ;_; central_JJ Florida_NP1 ._. )_) 
The_AT important_JJ point_NN1 is_VBZ this_DD1 :_: Many_DA2 people_NN have_VH0 only_RR the_AT haziest_JJT of_IO images_NN2 about_II any_DD destination_NN1 beyond_II a_AT1 few_DA2 hundred_NNO miles_NNU2 of_IO their_APPGE hometown_NN1 ._. 
To_TO serve_VVI travelers_NN2 ,_, you_PPY 'll_VM have_VHI to_TO bring_VVI those_DD2 distant_JJ images_NN2 into_II focus_NN1 ._. 
And_CC you_PPY ,_, yourself_PPX1 ,_, will_VM need_VVI to_TO know_VVI North_ND1 America_NP1 just_RR21 about_RR22 as_CSA well_RR as_CSA you_PPY know_VV0 your_APPGE own_DA backyard_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 yard_NN1 probably_RR extends_VVZ farther_JJR than_CSN you_PPY think_VV0 ._. 
Geographers_NN2 usually_RR define_VV0 North_ND1 America_NP1 as_CSA everything_PN1 from_II Canada_NP1 to_II the_AT Panama_NP1 --_NN1 Colombia_NP1 border_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 includes_VVZ rarely_RR visited_VVD Greenland_NP1 ,_, the_AT island_NN1 nations_NN2 of_IO the_AT Caribbean_NP1 ,_, and_CC many_DA2 of_IO the_AT south-of-the-border_JJ countries_NN2 ,_, such_II21 as_II22 Mexico_NP1 ,_, Guatemala_NP1 ,_, El_NP1 Salvador_NP1 ,_, Honduras_NP1 ,_, Costa_NP1 Rica_NP1 ,_, and_CC Panama_NP1 ._. 
(_( We_PPIS2 'll_VM address_VVI these_DD2 Caribbean_JJ and_CC Latin_JJ American_JJ countries_NN2 later_RRR ,_, in_RR21 Part_RR22 III_MC ._. )_) 
All_DB you_PPY need_VV0 to_TO know_VVI about_II Greenland_NP1 is_VBZ that_CST it_PPH1 's_VBZ a_AT1 self-governing_JJ territory_NN1 of_IO Denmark_NP1 ,_, its_APPGE 839,999_MC square_JJ miles_NNU2 are_VBR mostly_RR ice-covered_JJ ,_, it_PPH1 supports_VVZ only_RR 56,000_MC people_NN ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 draws_VVZ few_DA2 tourists_NN2 ._. 
So_RR ,_, in_II this_DD1 Part_NN1 II_MC ,_, we_PPIS2 'll_VM limit_VVI ourselves_PPX2 to_II the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 and_CC Canada_NP1 and_CC save_VV0 all_DB North_NP1 American_JJ countries_NN2 between_II the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 and_CC Colombia_NP1 for_IF later_JJR ._. 
Where_CS the_AT Regions_NN2 Are_VBR Take_VV0 a_AT1 look_NN1 at_II a_AT1 map_NN1 of_IO North_ND1 America_NP1 ._. 
By_RR21 far_RR22 the_AT broadest_JJT area_NN1 is_VBZ taken_VVN up_RP by_II Canada_NP1 ,_, the_AT world_NN1 's_GE second-largest_JJT country_NN1 ._. 
Eastern_JJ Canada_NP1 is_VBZ composed_VVN of_IO the_AT Atlantic_NP1 provinces_NN2 (_( New_NP1 Brunswick_NP1 ,_, Nova_NP1 Scotia_NP1 ,_, Prince_NNB Edward_NP1 Island_NN1 ,_, and_CC Newfoundland_NP1 and_CC Labrador_NN1 )_) and_CC Canada_NP1 's_GE two_MC largest_JJT provinces_NN2 ,_, Quebec_NP1 and_CC Ontario_NP1 ,_, which_DDQ together_RL form_VV0 Central_JJ Canada_NP1 ._. 
Western_NP1 Canada_NP1 includes_VVZ British_NP1 Columbia_NP1 ,_, Alberta_NP1 ,_, Saskatchewan_NP1 ,_, and_CC Manitoba_NP1 ._. 
(_( The_AT latter_DA three_MC provinces_NN2 are_VBR sometimes_RT called_VVN the_AT Prairie_NN1 provinces_NN2 or_CC the_AT Prairies_NN2 ._. )_) 
Three_MC northern_JJ territories_NN2 cap_VV0 off_RP the_AT country_NN1 :_: Yukon_NP1 ,_, the_AT Northwest_NP1 Territories_NN2 ,_, and_CC Nunavut_NP1 ._. 
Two_MC U.S._NP1 states_VVZ ,_, both_RR south_ND1 of_IO British_NP1 Columbia_NP1 ,_, make_VV0 up_RP the_AT Pacifi_NN1 c_ZZ1 Northwest_ND1 :_: Washington_NP1 and_CC Oregon_NP1 ._. 
Above_II them_PPHO2 ,_, and_CC separated_VVN from_II them_PPHO2 by_II British_NP1 Columbia_NP1 and_CC Yukon_NP1 ,_, is_VBZ Alaska_NP1 ._. 
Below_II them_PPHO2 are_VBR California_NP1 ,_, Nevada_NP1 ,_, Utah_NP1 ,_, Arizona_NP1 ,_, and_CC New_NP1 Mexico_NP1 --_NN1 often_RR labeled_VVD the_AT Southwest_ND1 ._. 
(_( Occasionally_RR ,_, you_PPY 'll_VM hear_VVI of_IO California_NP1 ,_, Nevada_NP1 ,_, Oregon_NP1 ,_, and_CC Washington_NP1 grouped_VVD as_II the_AT Far_RR West_ND1 ._. )_) 
Over_RG 2,000_MC miles_NNU2 to_II the_AT southwest_ND1 of_IO the_AT North_NP1 American_JJ continent_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT U.S._NP1 state_NN1 of_IO Hawaii_NP1 ._. 
The_AT Rocky_NP1 Mountain_NNL1 region_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 buffer_NN1 between_II the_AT Pacific_NP1 region_NN1 and_CC the_AT middle_NN1 of_IO Canada_NP1 and_CC the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 ._. 
Which_DDQ states_NN2 make_VV0 up_RP the_AT U.S._NP1 Rocky_NP1 Mountain_NNL1 area_NN1 is_VBZ somewhat_RR debatable_JJ --_NN1 several_DA2 of_IO them_PPHO2 qualify_VV0 for_IF inclusion_NN1 in_II the_AT Southwest_ND1 ,_, while_CS others_NN2 are_VBR considered_VVN part_NN1 of_IO the_AT Great_JJ Plains_NN2 area_NN1 ._. 
For_IF our_APPGE purposes_NN2 ,_, let_VM21 's_VM22 say_VVI the_AT Rocky_NP1 Mountain_NNL1 states_NN2 include_VV0 ,_, from_II north_ND1 to_II south_ND1 ,_, Montana_NP1 ,_, Idaho_NP1 ,_, Wyoming_NP1 ,_, and_CC Colorado_NP1 ._. 
Texas_NP1 ,_, the_AT second-largest_JJT U.S._NP1 state_NN1 after_II Alaska_NP1 ,_, almost_RR needs_VVZ a_AT1 category_NN1 for_IF itself_PPX1 ,_, though_CS it_PPH1 's_VBZ often_RR mentioned_VVN in_II the_AT same_DA breath_NN1 with_IW Oklahoma_NP1 ,_, which_DDQ is_VBZ just_RR north_ND1 of_IO it_PPH1 ._. 
The_AT fl_NNU at_II agricultural_JJ area_NN1 that_CST stretches_VVZ above_II Oklahoma_NP1 is_VBZ generally_RR called_VVN the_AT Great_JJ Plains_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ made_VVN up_RP of_IO ,_, from_II north_ND1 to_II south_ND1 ,_, North_ND1 Dakota_NP1 ,_, South_NP1 Dakota_NP1 ,_, Nebraska_NP1 ,_, and_CC Kansas_NP1 ._. 
The_AT Midwest_NP1 encompasses_VVZ many_DA2 states_NN2 ,_, including_II Minnesota_NP1 ,_, Wisconsin_NP1 ,_, Michigan_NP1 ,_, Iowa_NP1 ,_, Illinois_NP1 ,_, Indiana_NP1 ,_, Missouri_NP1 ,_, and_CC Ohio_NP1 ._. 
(_( Yes_UH ,_, many_DA2 of_IO these_DD2 states_NN2 are_VBR in_II the_AT eastern_JJ half_NN1 of_IO the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 still_RR call_VV0 themselves_PPX2 Midwestern_JJ ._. )_) 
The_AT South_ND1 also_RR covers_VVZ a_AT1 vast_JJ area_NN1 ._. 
Its_APPGE states_NN2 are_VBR Kentucky_NP1 ,_, Tennessee_NP1 ,_, North_ND1 Carolina_NP1 ,_, Arkansas_NP1 ,_, Mississippi_NP1 ,_, Alabama_NP1 ,_, Georgia_NP1 ,_, South_NP1 Carolina_NP1 ,_, Louisiana_NP1 ,_, and_CC Florida_NP1 ._. 
West_NP1 Virginia_NP1 and_CC Virginia_NP1 are_VBR occasionally_RR labeled_VVN southern_JJ or_CC can_VM be_VBI classified_VVN with_IW the_AT Mid-Atlantic_NP1 states_VVZ :_: New_NP1 York_NP1 ,_, New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 ,_, Pennsylvania_NP1 ,_, Maryland_NP1 ,_, and_CC Delaware_NP1 ._. 
And_CC between_II Maryland_NP1 and_CC Virginia_NP1 is_VBZ the_AT District_NN1 of_IO Columbia_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 "_" neutral_JJ "_" federal_JJ district_NN1 that_CST marks_VVZ the_AT U.S._NP1 capital_NN1 ,_, Washington_NP1 ,_, D.C._NP1 Finally_RR ,_, New_NP1 England_NP1 nestles_VVZ in_II the_AT northeast_ND1 corner_NN1 of_IO the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 ._. 
Its_APPGE members_NN2 are_VBR Maine_NP1 ,_, Vermont_NP1 ,_, New_NP1 Hampshire_NP1 ,_, Massachusetts_NP1 ,_, Connecticut_NP1 ,_, and_CC Rhode_NP1 Island_NNL1 ._. 
A_AT1 Satellite_NN1 View_NN1 Imagine_VV0 you_PPY 're_VBR in_II the_AT space_NN1 shuttle_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY look_VV0 down_RP on_II North_ND1 America_NP1 ._. 
What_DDQ do_VD0 you_PPY see_VVI ?_? 
A_AT1 continent_NN1 of_IO sharp_JJ contrasts_NN2 :_: the_AT fl_NNU at_II plains_NN2 of_IO the_AT continent_NN1 's_GE center_NN1 ,_, the_AT worn_JJ peaks_NN2 of_IO the_AT Appalachian_NP1 Mountains_NNL2 ,_, the_AT permanent_JJ icecaps_NN2 of_IO the_AT far_JJ north_ND1 ,_, or_CC the_AT barren_JJ deserts_NN2 of_IO the_AT U.S._NP1 Southwest_ND1 ._. 
Because_CS these_DD2 natural_JJ features_NN2 (_( and_CC other_JJ ones_NN2 ,_, like_II lakes_NN2 ,_, rivers_NN2 ,_, and_CC oceans_NN2 )_) have_VH0 such_DA a_AT1 strong_JJ impact_NN1 on_II travel_NN1 plans_NN2 ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ important_JJ to_TO understand_VVI where_RRQ and_CC what_DDQ they_PPHS2 are_VBR ._. 
Europe_NP1 Continental_JJ Flair_NN1 If_CS an_AT1 American_NN1 decides_VVZ to_TO voyage_VVI overseas_RL ,_, it_PPH1 will_VM in_II all_DB probability_NN1 be_VBI to_TO visit_VVI Europe_NP1 (_( often_RR called_VVN "_" the_AT Continent_NN1 "_" )_) ._. 
Indeed_RR ,_, Europe_NP1 is_VBZ a_AT1 magnet_NN1 for_IF tourists_NN2 from_II all_DB countries_NN2 ._. 
Most_DAT of_IO the_AT top-10_MC destinations_NN2 for_IF world_NN1 travelers_NN2 are_VBR in_II Europe_NP1 ._. 
Celebrated_JJ historical_JJ monuments_NN2 ,_, sun-baked_JJ beaches_NN2 ,_, sparkling_JJ ski_NN1 resorts_NN2 ,_, landmark_NN1 hotels_NN2 ,_, gourmet_NN1 restaurants_NN2 ,_, intriguing_JJ cultures_NN2 and_CC people_NN --_JJ Europe_NP1 has_VHZ all_DB of_IO these_DD2 ._. 
Many_DA2 jets_NN2 crisscross_VV0 the_AT Atlantic_NP1 ,_, so_CS it_PPH1 's_VBZ easy_JJ to_TO get_VVI there_RL ._. 
And_CC once_RR travelers_NN2 arrive_VV0 in_II Europe_NP1 ,_, they_PPHS2 find_VV0 an_AT1 efficient_JJ network_NN1 of_IO railroads_NN2 ,_, highways_NN2 ,_, buses_NN2 ,_, motorcoach_VV0 tours_NN2 ,_, and_CC subways_NN2 to_TO get_VVI around_RP ._. 
This_DD1 broad_JJ array_NN1 of_IO services_NN2 offers_VVZ you_PPY ,_, the_AT travel_NN1 professional_NN1 ,_, countless_JJ opportunities_NN2 to_TO enhance_VVI a_AT1 person_NN1 's_GE European_JJ vacation_NN1 ._. 
Where_CS the_AT Countries_NN2 Are_VBR Over_RG 40_MC countries_NN2 comprise_VV0 Europe_NP1 ;_; many_DA2 of_IO them_PPHO2 have_VH0 their_APPGE own_DA language_NN1 and_CC way_NN1 of_IO life_NN1 ._. 
Do_VD0 n't_XX be_VBI intimidated_VVN ,_, though_RR ._. 
Their_APPGE locations_NN2 can_VM be_VBI mastered_VVN easily_RR ,_, especially_RR when_CS you_PPY sort_VV0 them_PPHO2 into_II logical_JJ geographical_JJ groupings_NN2 ._. 
Look_VV0 at_II the_AT map_NN1 ._. 
Across_II the_AT north_ND1 are_VBR the_AT Scandinavian_JJ countries_NN2 :_: Iceland_NP1 ,_, Norway_NP1 ,_, Sweden_NP1 ,_, Denmark_NP1 ,_, and_CC Finland_NP1 ._. 
(_( Greenland_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 seldom-visited_JJ destination_NN1 to_II the_AT west_ND1 of_IO Iceland_NP1 ,_, is_VBZ usually_RR considered_VVN part_NN1 of_IO North_ND1 America_NP1 ._. )_) 
On_II the_AT Baltic_NP1 Sea_NNL1 ,_, just_RR beneath_II the_AT Scandinavian_JJ Peninsula_NN1 ,_, are_VBR the_AT Baltic_JJ nations_NN2 of_IO Estonia_NP1 ,_, Latvia_NP1 ,_, and_CC Lithuania_NP1 ._. 
In_II the_AT northwest_ND1 are_VBR the_AT British_JJ Isles_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ consist_VV0 of_IO Great_NP1 Britain_NP1 and_CC Ireland_NP1 (_( which_DDQ is_VBZ n't_XX really_RR British_JJ at_RR21 all_RR22 )_) ._. 
In_II western_JJ Europe_NP1 are_VBR France_NP1 and_CC the_AT Benelux_NN1 countries_NN2 (_( Belgium_NP1 ,_, the_AT Netherlands_NP1 ,_, and_CC Luxembourg_NP1 )_) ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 the_AT Iberian_JJ Peninsula_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ features_VVZ Portugal_NP1 and_CC Spain_NP1 ._. 
Spain_NP1 is_VBZ also_RR sometimes_RT included_VVN as_II part_NN1 of_IO the_AT Mediterranean_JJ countries_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ curve_VV0 along_RP the_AT northern_JJ shore_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 legendary_JJ sea_NN1 ._. 
Among_II them_PPHO2 are_VBR Italy_NP1 ,_, Greece_NP1 ,_, and_CC Turkey_NP1 (_( which_DDQ spills_VVZ over_RP from_II Asia_NP1 )_) ._. 
The_AT Eastern_JJ European_JJ countries_NN2 are_VBR Poland_NP1 ,_, the_AT Czech_JJ Republic_NN1 ,_, Slovakia_NP1 (_( also_RR known_VVN as_II the_AT Slovak_JJ Republic_NN1 )_) ,_, Hungary_NP1 ,_, Romania_NP1 ,_, Bulgaria_NP1 ,_, and_CC Albania_NP1 ._. 
The_AT former_DA nation_NN1 of_IO Yugoslavia_NP1 is_VBZ also_RR among_II these_DD2 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 has_VHZ broken_VVN down_RP into_II a_AT1 series_NN of_IO smaller_JJR countries_NN2 :_: Slovenia_NP1 ,_, Croatia_NP1 ,_, Bosnia_NP1 and_CC Herzegovina_NP1 ,_, Macedonia_NP1 ,_, and_CC what_DDQ remains_VVZ of_IO the_AT original_JJ Yugoslavia_NP1 (_( usually_RR called_VVN Serbia_NP1 )_) ._. 
In_II the_AT easternmost_JJ portion_NN1 of_IO Europe_NP1 is_VBZ Russia_NP1 and_CC its_APPGE co-nations_NN2 in_II the_AT Commonwealth_NN1 of_IO Independent_JJ States_NN2 (_( most_DAT of_IO the_AT former_DA Soviet_JJ Union_NN1 )_) ,_, which_DDQ stretches_VVZ well_RR into_II Asia_NP1 ._. 
And_CC in_II the_AT middle_NN1 of_IO Europe_NP1 are_VBR the_AT nations_NN2 of_IO Alpine_JJ Europe_NP1 :_: Germany_NP1 ,_, Switzerland_NP1 ,_, and_CC Austria_NP1 ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ about_II all_DB you_PPY need_VM remember_VVI now_RT ._. 
We_PPIS2 'll_VM mention_VVI Europe_NP1 's_GE smaller_JJR countries_NN2 and_CC principalities_NN2 in_II the_AT chapters_NN2 that_CST follow_VV0 ._. 
Meanwhile_RR ,_, practice_NN1 filling_VVG in_II a_AT1 blank_JJ map_NN1 of_IO Europe_NP1 to_TO master_VVI where_RRQ each_DD1 country_NN1 is_VBZ situated_VVN ._. 
Do_VD0 it_PPH1 over_RP and_CC again_RT :_: You_PPY 'll_VM master_VVI their_APPGE locations_NN2 more_RGR quickly_RR than_CSN you_PPY would_VM expect_VVI ._. 
A_AT1 Satellite_NN1 View_NN1 If_CS you_PPY were_VBDR looking_VVG down_RP from_II space_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI impossible_JJ to_TO tell_VVI one_MC1 European_JJ country_NN1 from_II another_DD1 ._. 
Borders_NP1 ,_, after_II all_DB ,_, are_VBR n't_XX painted_VVN across_II the_AT face_NN1 of_IO the_AT earth_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB things_NN2 like_II mountains_NN2 ,_, oceans_NN2 ,_, lakes_NN2 ,_, and_CC rivers_NN2 have_VH0 long_RR defined_VVN Europe_NP1 's_GE national_JJ boundaries_NN2 ._. 
And_CC these_DD2 geographic_JJ features_NN2 affect_VV0 travel_NN1 plans_VVZ in_II major_JJ ways_NN2 ._. 
Bodies_NN2 of_IO Water_NN1 As_CSA you_PPY would_VM imagine_VVI ,_, the_AT Pacific_NP1 Ocean_NNL1 is_VBZ critical_JJ to_II this_DD1 vast_JJ region_NN1 ._. 
Moreover_RR ,_, the_AT continent_NN1 of_IO Asia_NP1 ,_, being_VBG as_RG large_JJ and_CC geographically_RR situated_VVN as_CSA it_PPH1 is_VBZ ,_, is_VBZ ringed_VVN by_II an_AT1 assortment_NN1 of_IO seas_NN2 ._. 
Beginning_VVG at_II the_AT western_JJ part_NN1 of_IO Asia_NP1 is_VBZ India_NP1 ,_, which_DDQ is_VBZ bordered_VVN on_II its_APPGE west_ND1 by_II the_AT Arabian_JJ Sea_NN1 ,_, on_II its_APPGE south_ND1 by_II the_AT Indian_NP1 Ocean_NNL1 ,_, and_CC on_II its_APPGE east_ND1 by_II the_AT Bay_NN1 of_IO Bengal_NP1 ._. 
Farther_RRR east_ND1 is_VBZ the_AT Gulf_NN1 of_IO Thailand_NP1 ,_, in_II the_AT midst_NN1 of_IO Southeast_ND1 Asia_NP1 ;_; the_AT Gulf_NP1 ,_, in_II turn_NN1 ,_, flows_VVZ into_II the_AT South_ND1 China_NP1 Sea_NNL1 ._. 
The_AT Sea_NNL1 of_IO Japan_NP1 separates_VVZ Russia_NP1 and_CC the_AT Korean_JJ peninsula_NN1 from_II Japan_NP1 ._. 
The_AT Yellow_NP1 Sea_NNL1 --_NN1 which_DDQ forms_VVZ a_AT1 bay_NN1 between_II northeast_ND1 China_NP1 and_CC Korea_NP1 --_NN1 empties_VVZ into_II the_AT East_ND1 China_NP1 Sea_NNL1 ,_, which_DDQ in_II turn_NN1 merges_VVZ into_II the_AT South_ND1 China_NP1 Sea_NNL1 ._. 
Bordering_VVG this_DD1 whole_JJ region_NN1 to_II the_AT east_ND1 is_VBZ the_AT vast_JJ Pacific_NP1 Ocean_NNL1 ._. 
The_AT Pacific_NP1 encompasses_VVZ most_DAT of_IO the_AT South_ND1 Sea_NN1 islands_NN2 ._. 
However_RR ,_, other_JJ major_JJ waters_NN2 here_RL bear_VV0 note_NN1 :_: The_AT Timor_NP1 Sea_NNL1 separates_VVZ northern_JJ Australia_NP1 from_II Indonesia_NP1 ;_; the_AT Coral_NP1 Sea_NNL1 lies_VVZ northeast_ND1 of_IO the_AT continent_NN1 ;_; and_CC dividing_VVG southeast_ND1 Australia_NP1 from_II New_NP1 Zealand_NP1 is_VBZ the_AT Tasman_NP1 Sea_NNL1 ._. 
Asia_NP1 ,_, Australia_NP1 ,_, and_CC the_AT Pacific_NP1 islands_NN2 have_VH0 only_RR a_AT1 few_DA2 major_JJ rivers_NN2 ._. 
The_AT Yellow_JJ and_CC Yangtze_NP1 wind_NN1 and_CC twist_VV0 their_APPGE way_NN1 through_II the_AT center_NN1 of_IO China_NP1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 offer_VV0 visitors_NN2 a_AT1 superb_JJ way_NN1 of_IO exploring_VVG the_AT magnificent_JJ countryside_NN1 ._. 
(_( There_EX 's_VBZ also_RR an_AT1 important_JJ canal_NN1 system_NN1 in_II northeastern_JJ China_NN1 that_CST permits_VVZ several_DA2 popular_JJ excursions_NN2 ._. )_) 
The_AT Ganges_NP1 ,_, which_DDQ flows_VVZ through_II the_AT northeast_ND1 of_IO India_NP1 ,_, is_VBZ perhaps_RR the_AT most_RGT sacred_JJ river_NN1 on_II earth_NN1 ,_, for_IF Hindu_JJ pilgrims_NN2 immerse_VV0 themselves_PPX2 in_II its_APPGE waters_NN2 to_TO spiritually_RR cleanse_VVI themselves_PPX2 ._. 
Most_DAT of_IO Australia_NP1 's_GE rivers_NN2 are_VBR in_II its_APPGE southeast_ND1 corner_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Murray_NP1 and_CC the_AT Darling_NN1 are_VBR the_AT two_MC most_RGT important_JJ ones_NN2 ._. 
Mountains_NN2 The_AT 2,000-mile_FO Himalaya_NP1 Mountain_NNL1 range_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT loftiest_JJT range_NN1 in_II the_AT world_NN1 ._. 
To_TO put_VVI this_DD1 in_II its_APPGE proper_JJ perspective_NN1 ,_, Himalaya_NP1 's_GE Mt_NP1 ._. 
Everest_NP1 is_VBZ the_AT world_NN1 's_GE tallest_JJT mountain_NN1 :_: It_NN1 's_VBZ 9,000_MC feet_NN2 higher_JJR than_CSN the_AT tallest_JJT mountain_NN1 in_II North_ND1 America_NP1 ,_, Mt_NP1 ._. 
McKinley_NP1 ,_, and_CC 7,000_MC feet_NN2 higher_JJR than_CSN the_AT tallest_JJT peak_NN1 of_IO the_AT Andes_NP2 ._. 
Of_IO the_AT world_NN1 's_GE 50_MC tallest_JJT mountains_NN2 ,_, virtually_RR all_DB are_VBR in_II the_AT Himalaya_NP1 ._. 
The_AT challenging_JJ Himalaya_NP1 are_VBR considered_VVN by_II adventurous_JJ travelers_NN2 to_TO be_VBI the_AT finest_JJT trekking_NN1 and_CC mountain-climbing_JJ territory_NN1 in_II the_AT world_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Himalaya_NP1 ripple_NN1 through_II the_AT top_NN1 of_IO Pakistan_NP1 ,_, northern_JJ India_NP1 ,_, Nepal_NP1 ,_, Bhutan_NP1 ,_, and_CC the_AT Tibet_NP1 region_NN1 of_IO China_NP1 ,_, covering_VVG an_AT1 area_NN1 greater_JJR than_CSN all_DB of_IO Germany_NP1 ._. 
In_RR21 addition_RR22 ,_, a_AT1 spine_NN1 of_IO volcanic_JJ mountains_NN2 runs_VVZ down_RP the_AT length_NN1 of_IO much_DA1 of_IO Japan_NP1 ,_, the_AT most_RGT famous_JJ of_IO which_DDQ is_VBZ stately_JJ Mt_NP1 ._. 
Fuji_NP1 ._. 
There_EX are_VBR also_RR many_DA2 mountains_NN2 of_IO volcanic_JJ origin_NN1 in_II Indonesia_NP1 (_( where_CS the_AT legendary_JJ Krakatoa_NN1 erupted_VVN )_) and_CC in_II Australia_NP1 ,_, with_IW its_APPGE Great_JJ Dividing_VVG Range_NN1 down_II the_AT east_ND1 coast_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Southern_JJ Alps_NP2 rise_VV0 above_II New_NP1 Zealand_NP1 's_GE South_ND1 Island_NN1 ._. 
Parts_NN2 of_IO western_JJ China_NP1 are_VBR also_RR somewhat_RR mountainous_JJ --_NN1 though_CS few_DA2 tourists_NN2 visit_VV0 there_RL ._. 
Climate_NN1 Because_CS parts_NN2 of_IO Asia_NP1 and_CC the_AT Pacific_NP1 lie_VV0 both_RR north_ND1 and_CC south_ND1 of_IO the_AT equator_NN1 ,_, two_MC distinct_JJ patterns_NN2 exist_VV0 :_: North_ND1 of_IO the_AT equator_NN1 ,_, seasons_NNT2 are_VBR the_AT same_DA as_CSA those_DD2 in_II North_ND1 America_NP1 ;_; south_ND1 ,_, they_PPHS2 're_VBR the_AT opposite_JJ ._. 
An_AT1 important_JJ point_NN1 to_TO remember_VVI :_: Though_CS many_DA2 think_VV0 of_IO this_DD1 entire_JJ region_NN1 as_CSA hot_JJ and_CC humid_JJ ,_, Australia_NP1 and_CC New_NP1 Zealand_NP1 are_VBR exceptions_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 both_DB2 have_VH0 temperate_JJ weather_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT winter_NNT1 ,_, New_NP1 Zealand_NP1 's_GE mountainous_JJ South_ND1 Island_NN1 gets_VVZ plenty_PN of_IO snow_NN1 ._. 
In_RR21 addition_RR22 ,_, the_AT Himalaya_NP1 and_CC other_JJ high_JJ regions_NN2 can_VM have_VHI very_RG cold_JJ weather_NN1 ._. 
One_MC1 more_DAR exception_NN1 :_: Western_NP1 China_NP1 and_CC western_JJ Australia_NP1 have_VH0 largely_RR desert_VV0 climates_NN2 ._. 
The_AT Indian_JJ subcontinent_NN1 ,_, most_DAT of_IO China_NP1 ,_, the_AT islands_NN2 of_IO Japan_NP1 and_CC Taiwan_NP1 (_( all_DB of_IO which_DDQ lie_VV0 north_ND1 of_IO the_AT equator_NN1 )_) ,_, and_CC northern_JJ Australia_NP1 (_( to_II the_AT equator_NN1 's_GE south_ND1 )_) have_VH0 a_AT1 subtropical_JJ climate_NN1 ._. 
Summers_NP1 in_II these_DD2 areas_NN2 are_VBR very_RG warm_JJ and_CC humid_JJ ;_; winters_NNT2 are_VBR drier_JJR and_CC more_RGR pleasant_JJ ._. 
A_AT1 fully_RR tropical_JJ climate_NN1 can_VM be_VBI found_VVN in_II those_DD2 countries_NN2 that_CST flank_VV0 the_AT equator_NN1 --_NN1 most_DAT of_IO Indonesia_NP1 and_CC all_DB the_AT South_ND1 Sea_NN1 islands_NN2 --_NN1 as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 in_II Southeast_ND1 Asia_NP1 ,_, the_AT Philippines_NP2 ,_, and_CC Micronesia_NP1 (_( north_ND1 of_IO the_AT equator_NN1 )_) ._. 
A_AT1 final_JJ note_NN1 :_: The_AT region_NN1 is_VBZ famed_JJ for_IF its_APPGE monsoons_NN2 ,_, typhoons_NN2 ,_, and_CC cyclones_NN2 ._. 
Monsoons_NN2 are_VBR long-standing_JJ summer_NNT1 rainstorms_NN2 ,_, usually_RR associated_VVN with_IW the_AT Indian_JJ subcontinent_NN1 and_CC Southeast_ND1 Asia_NP1 ._. 
Typhoons_NN2 are_VBR what_DDQ hurricanes_NN2 are_VBR called_VVN when_CS they_PPHS2 occur_VV0 in_II the_AT China_NP1 Sea_NNL1 and_CC west_ND1 Pacific_NP1 area_NN1 ._. 
Cyclones_NN2 (_( the_AT generic_JJ name_NN1 for_IF hurricanes_NN2 and_CC typhoons_NN2 )_) often_RR whip_VV0 along_II Australia_NP1 's_GE northeast_ND1 coastal_JJ areas_NN2 ._. 
Tourism_NN1 Patterns_NN2 Two_MC words_NN2 summarize_VV0 the_AT pattern_NN1 of_IO Pacific_NP1 Rim_NN1 tourism_NN1 :_: explosive_JJ growth_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 has_VHZ not_XX been_VBN unusual_JJ to_TO see_VVI a_AT1 doubling_NN1 of_IO the_AT numbers_NN2 of_IO tourists_NN2 in_II a_AT1 matter_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 year_NNT1 or_CC two_MC ._. 
As_II a_AT1 result_NN1 ,_, major_JJ hotels_NN2 are_VBR being_VBG built_VVN everywhere_RL ._. 
China_NP1 (_( including_II Hong_NP1 Kong_NP1 )_) is_VBZ by_RR21 far_RR22 the_AT most_RGT popular_JJ destination_NN1 in_II Asia_NP1 ._. 
Japan_NP1 ,_, South_ND1 Korea_NP1 ,_, and_CC Australia_NP1 are_VBR also_RR popular_JJ with_IW North_NP1 American_JJ travelers_NN2 ._. 
