Baton RougeThe Capital City of Louisiana stands proudly on the banks of the Mississippi River. It was founded back in the 1700's and is still steeped in history. Over the centuries, it became a major inland port and shipping activity today continues to bring wealth to the city through trade in oil and gas.

The city is home to the Southern University and the Louisiana State University, which add character to a southwestern district that is characterized by upbeat shops, as well as lively restaurants and nightclubs.

Being built in a low-lying area along the Mississippi River requires more flood protection than the Istrouma Bluff naturally provides – the city fathers have added an extensive levee system to better protect the riverfront and low lying farming areas.

West Virginia State Capitol BuildingCharleston is the Capital City of West Virginia. Its name is derived from Charles Town, which was founded in 1670, and later relocated to Oyster Point on the banks of the Ashley River in 1680, where it was officially renamed Charleston in 1783.

One of the ten largest cities in the United States prior to the 1840 census, Charleston is also known as The Holy City because of the large number of church steeples that lift above the low-rise cityscape. It was also one of the earliest centers in the original thirteen colonies to allow a degree of religious freedom – although this was originally restricted to non-Catholics.

West VirginiaThe State of West Virginia is known as the Mountain State because of its central location within the Appalachian Mountain Range, with approximately 75% of it lying within the Cumberland and Allegheny Plateaus. Charleston, the largest city of the state, is also its capital city.

Geography

Although not displaying many high altitude areas – the average elevation is 460 meters - the two plateaus are nevertheless rugged in the extreme and provide a number of magnificent natural environments, most of which are under some form of conservation.

Old State Capitol, Baton RougeThe State of Louisiana is bordered by Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east, while the Gulf of Mexico defines its southern border. In 1682, Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle, named Louisiana in honor of Louis XIV, King of France, when he claimed the territory. Many Louisiana cities have an eclectic multicultural mix because of the influx of French, Spanish, and African nationals who settled there in the 1800's.

Mexican FlagMexico lies immediately south of the United States and to the north of the smaller nations of Belize and Guatemala. Regions include Baja California in the west, and the Gulf of Mexico and the Bay of Campeche to the east. The central part of Mexico is a great high plateau that is open to the north, but bounded elsewhere by mountain chains and ocean fronted lowlands.

At least three historic civilizations predated the arrival of the Spanish invaders, including the Mayas, Olmecs, and Toltecs. The country was conquered by the invading Spanish under Hernando Cortes in 1521. This heralded the suppression of the indigenous population and the destruction of their wealth, culture, and most of their heritage. The country won independence from Spain in 1821.

Atlanta at NightAtlanta is the capital city of the State of Georgia and a major city in its own right. It wisely distanced itself from the racial segregation movement and as a consequence today boasts a largely harmonious population of different race groups intent on building their future together.

Atlanta stands three hundred and twenty meters above sea level on a ridge south of the Chattahoochee River and benefits from a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and pleasant winters. Much of the river's natural habitat has been preserved in the Chattahoochee National River Area, which offers many hiking experiences to environmentally conscious tourists.

Georgia State CapitolThe historic State of Georgia is located in the south west of the United States just north of Florida. It was founded in 1735 and became the thirteenth state of the Union. The state’s extensive and geographically varied land offers mighty mountains, exciting white water rafting, and heavily forested ridges in the north; orchards and rich farm lands in the south; mysterious swamplands in the south east; and romantic salt water lees along the Atlantic seaboard.

Like so many other southern states, Georgia has seen many tragic conflicts since European settlers first arrived on its shores. These include the virtual destruction of the native Indian Creek and Cherokee tribes, the abuse of slaves by wealthy cotton plantation owners, and the terrible Civil War that saw the torching of the capital city of Atlanta.

AnnapolisAnnapolis is the Capital City of the State of Maryland. The historic town served as the temporary capital of the United States from 1783 to 1784, and was even suggested as the permanent capital by none less than George Washington.

Major Annapolis attractions: