About El Salvador

Population: 6,137,500
Capital City: San Salvador
Official Language(s): Spanish
Currency: US dollar
Calling Code: +503

The country of El Salvador is located in Central America.

Background Information and Culture in El Salvador

A former Spanish colony, this Central American countries inhabitants on the whole speak Spanish, although a small section speaks Nahuat. Famous El Salvadorians include Jesuit priests & professors Ignacio Ellacuria, Ignacio Martin-Baro & Segundo Montes.

Writers Francisco Gavidia, Salarrue, Claudia Lars, Alfredo Espino, Pedro Geoffroy, Manlio Argueta, & poet Roque Dalton are among the significant artists to come from El Salvador. Noted 20th century personages include the late filmmaker Baltasar Polio, artist Fernando Llort, & caricaturist Tono Salazar.

Must See Highlights in El Salvador

Some of the must see highlights of El Salvador include -

Amazing jungles and rainforests.

About Canada

Population: 34,600,000
Capital City: Ottawa
Official Language(s): English & French
Currency: Canadian Dollar
Calling Code: +1

The country of Canada is located in the north of the North American continent, and covers a vast area of land. A former British colony, this country of some 32 million inhabitants is a huge and fascinating place to visit.

Background Information and Culture in Canada

Despite sharing a border with arguably the most influential and richest country in the world, Canada still maintains a unique culture and identity. With British, first nations, French and now many Asian immigrants all adding to the melting pot, Canada is one of the world’s true multi-cultural societies. Indeed, multiculturalism is enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Canada is vast in both size and culture, from the French speaking areas of Quebec to the First Nations areas, to the bustling cities of Toronto and Vancouver.

Being so close to the United States, there is of course a great influence through business and the media, but conversely, Canadian entertainers, artists and products are also popular south of their border. Canadians are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality, and this is an important part of “being Canadian”.

Sports in Canada are, as with many countries around the world, an important part of the national psyche. Winter sports are the most popular, with hockey being the number one spectator sport. In 2010, Canada hosted the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler – The perfect hosts!

Must See Highlights in Canada

Some of the must see highlights of Canada include -

The Rockies

A Hockey game

Friendly people

Credit: Rob Pearce

About the Dominican Republic

Capital City: Santo Domingo
Official Language(s): Spanish
Population: 8,895,000
Currency: Peso
Calling code: +1-809 and +1-829

With nearly year around perfect weather, The Dominican Republic is located in the Caribbean.

Background Information and Culture in the Dominican Republic

What is the Dominican Republic – An affordable, luxury vacation destination, or a poverty stricken country? Probably a little of both is the answer. There is a low rate of attacks on tourists, and most muggings etc are confined to the capital. For the tourist, especially in the all inclusive resorts, the Dominican Republic is a safe place to visit.

Like many islands in the Caribbean, the culture is a mix of African and Spanish, with the Spanish influence reflected more in the national language and religion, and the African influence in the music and dance. Near the border between Haiti and Dominican Republic, Voodoo is practiced, which brings in a mixture of everything!

The islands white, sun kissed beaches are the main draw card for tourists considering the Dominican Republic as a holiday destination, and the island offers many affordable all inclusive resorts.

Baseball is the islands most popular sport, and many leagues exist.

Must See Highlights in the Dominican Republic

Some of the must see highlights of the Dominican Republic include -

The endless beaches.

A voodoo ceremony.

About Dominica

Capital City: Roseau
Official Language(s): English
Population: 68,902
Currency: East Caribbean Dollar
Calling code: +1-767

The beautiful country of Dominica is located in the Cribbean.

Background Information and Culture on Dominica

From coast to coast, Dominica is packed with beauty and adventure. Magnificent mountains, beaches and people, its stunning setting is only more enhanced when it rains!

Must See Highlights in Dominica

Some of the must see highlights of Dominica include -

The mountains.

See a rainbow!

About Cuba

Capital City: Havana
Official Language(s): Spanish
Population: 11,269,000
Currency: Peso (CUP)
Calling code: +53

Cuba is without doubt one of the most intensely diverse countries in the Caribbean, with a unique blend of African and Hispanic culture, and of course the Castro years.

Background Information and Culture in Cuba

Cuba seems to occupy a higher profile in people’s minds than its relatively small size would normally command, largely in part of course to Castro, the world longest serving head of state. Having engineered a communist revolution with just a handful of followers to begin with, Castro is both worshipped and despised. Despite the lack of personal freedoms normally associated with western democracies, Cuba is a fiercely independent country, with proud citizens.

An ongoing trade embargo by the United States has had absolutely no effect on changing the balance of power in Cuba for over 50 years, although it has had a major effect on its citizens. Whereas most countries in the world develop apace, Cuba is the tortoise, crawling slowly forwards. Most houses have almost no appliances, certainly not modern ones, and the distinctive old style motor vehicles that can be seen in Cuba are a result of the people needing to maintain what they have, or else have nothing else.

Tourism was seen as a way for the country to gain much needed hard currency, and Cuba has almost limitless potential. Tourists are fascinated by the culture, the food and cigars, and despite its small size, a visit to Cuba needs careful planning in order to see the most important things.

Sports wise, Cuba has, perhaps unusually given the circumstances, adopted many US sports such as baseball and basketball. Internationally, the amateur boxes of Cuba punch well above their weight, earning more gold medals than other nations in international competitions.

Cuban music is as diverse and unique as its people, with its African and Spanish influences. Rumba, salsa and samba are all examples.

Must See Highlights in Cuba

Some of the must see highlights of Cuba include -

Exploring Havana.

Riding a steam train to the sugar mills.

Join a carnival conga line!

About Costa Rica

Capital City: San José
Official Language(s): Spanish
Population: 4,327,000
Currency: Costa Rican colón
Calling code: +506

The country of Costa Rica is located in Central America, and is one of the richer and more developed countries of the region.

Background Information and Culture in Costa Rica

The inhabitants of Costa Rica speak Spanish, as a legacy to their colonial past. Ticas and Ticos, (as the males and females refer to themselves) are generally laid back, welcoming and friendly. If a western tourist hears the word Gringo from them, it rarely carries the negative connotations of the word as is the case in other countries.

Environmental awareness is widespread in Costa Rica, and the tourist to the country will find it hard to avoid going on one of the many canopy tours – A zip line through the tree tops. Costa Rica has some amazing beaches, and it is a great place for surfers of all abilities to come and visit.

Must See Highlights in Costa Rica

Some of the must see highlights of Costa Rica include -

One of the many canopy tours

Surfing along its coastline

Great beaches

About Clipperton Island

Population: Not permanently inhabited

The isolated pacific atoll of Clipperton Island was named after the pirate John Clipperton, and its total area is only about 7 square kilometres.

Background Information and Culture on Clipperton Island

Most of Clipperton Island is no more than six feet high, with the exception of Clipperton Rock, which is sixty nine feet high. Named after an Eighteenth century pirate who made the atoll his hideout, Clipperton Island’s economy revolves around tuna fishing.

Must See Highlights on Clipperton Island

Some of the must see highlights of Clipperton Island include -

Viewing the millions of birds and crabs

About the Cayman Islands

Capital City: George Town
Official Language(s): English
Population: 45,017
Currency: Cayman Dollar
Calling Code: +1-345

The Cayman Islands are an idyllic paradise, with the vast majority of tourists visiting Grand Cayman.

Background Information and Culture on the Cayman Islands

Tourism now accounts for nearly 75% of the GDP of the Cayman Islands, and its not hard to see why tourists continue to visit year after year. With a huge cruise ship port, the islands attract visitors due to its sheer beauty, excellent diving and superb snorkeling. During a stay on The Cayman Islands, it is possible to laze time away on one of the many beautiful beaches, swim with stingrays or gain a PADI certificate. Inland, the forest areas offer trails to turtle farms. What better way to spend a vacation?!

Must See Highlights on the Cayman Islands

Some of the must see highlights of the Cayman Islands include -

Swimming with rays.

The black limestone spires of hell.

Trail walking.

Swimming, Snorkeling and Diving.

About The British Virgin Islands

Population: 27,500
Capital City: Road Town
Official Language(s): English
Currency: US Dollar
Calling Code: +1-284

The British Virgin Islands are a collection of over 50 islands situated in the Caribbean.

Background Information and Culture on the British Virgin Islands

So far, the British Virgin Islands have avoided mass tourism, in part largely to the tiny size of the islands. There intimateness and remoteness are also, of course, what make them attractive to the traveler. Only 15 of the islands are populated, with the rest proving great destinations for those people who are sailing in the region. English is the main language, and the capital Road Town is on the island of Tortola.

Must See Highlights the British Virgin Islands

Some of the must see highlights of the British Virgin Islands include -

The countless beautiful beaches and inlets.

Getting away from it all.

Incredible sailing around the Islands.

About Bermuda

Population: 68,500
Capital City: Hamilton
Official Language(s): English
Currency: Bermudian Dollar
Calling Code: +1-441

The island of Bermuda is located within the West Indies collection of islands in the Caribbean.

Background Information and Culture in Bermuda

As with other islands within the West Indies, the game of cricket is an important sport to the inhabitants of this former British colony. Nowadays, the population is mainly of African descent, although nearly 35% of the population is white. English is the main language spoken here, although a significant Portuguese population also exists.

As well as cricket and wonderful beaches, Bermuda is also known to those that follow mysterious and strange happenings as a point in the “Bermuda Triangle”, a mysterious area where planes and ships were alleged to have disappeared. The Bermuda triangle has lost some of its mystery, as hundreds of flights a year land in Bermuda, however!

Must See Highlights in Bermuda

Some of the must see highlights of Bermuda include -

The fabulous beaches.

A cricket match.

Investigate the Bermuda Triangle!