Miami Beach is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The city was incorporated on March 26, 1915. It is located on a barrier island between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean; the Bay separates Miami Beach from the city of Miami, Florida. The city is often referred to under the umbrella term of “Miami,” despite being a distinct municipality. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 87,933. 55.5% of the population was foreign born. A 2005 population estimate for the city was 87,925. Miami Beach has been one of America’s pre-eminent beach resorts for almost a century.

Zakynthos, the third largest of the Ionian Islands, covers an area of 410 km2 (158 sq mi) and its coastline is roughly 123 km (76 mi) in length. The island is named after Zakynthos, the son of a legendary Arcadian chief Dardanus. The name, like all similar names ending in -nthos, is pre-Mycenaean or Pelasgian in origin. Zakynthos has a thriving tourism industry.

The United States Virgin Islands, also called Virgin Islands of the United States is a group of islands in the Caribbean  that are an insular area of the United States. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles.

The U.S. Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Saint Croix, Saint John and Saint Thomas, along with the much smaller but historically distinct Water Island, and many other surrounding minor islands. The total land area of the territory is 133.73 square miles (346.4 km2). As of the 2000 census the population was 108,612.

The main islands have nicknames often used by locals: “Twin City” (St. Croix), “Rock City” (St. Thomas), “Love City” (St. John), and “Small City” (Water Island).

Punta Cana is part of the newly PuntaCana-Bavaro-Veron-Macao municipal district in La Altagracia, the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic. Until recently it was one of the most remote and beautiful places on earth. The area is best known for its beaches, which face both the Caribbean and Atlantic, and it has been a popular tourist destination since the 1970s. The Punta Cana area has an estimated population of 100,000 with a growth rate of 6%. To the north, it borders the village and beach of Cabeza de Toro, and then the Bávaro and El Cortecito beaches. The nearest city, the 500-year-old capital of the Province Higüey, is 45 kilometres (28 mi) away, and it takes about an hour to drive there. Europeans, particularly Spanish hotel chains, own all but two of the 50+ megaresorts of the Punta Cana tourism destination.

Punta Cana-Bavaro’s resorts show a eclectic variety of architecture and interior design inspired by Spanish, Mexican, and native Dominican cultures. Areas bordering Punta Cana include Cap Cana to the south and the original tiny fishing-village of Cabo San Rafael. A 100 metres (330 ft) high cliff is located more to the south, near of Boca de Yuma town, a fishing village dated from the 16th century. Nearby, you can find the Ponce de Leon’s Fortress, in San Rafael del Yuma town. This is one of the most isolated area within the La Altagracia Province though.

The province’s 100 kilometres (62 mi) coastline tends to be mildly windy. The ocean waters are mainly shallows, with several natural marine pools in which visitors can bathe without any danger.

North to South the main beaches are: Uvero Alto, Macao, Arena Gorda, Bávaro, El Cortecito – all north of the cape – and Cabeza de Toro, Cabo Engaño, Punta Cana, Juanillo – south of the cape.

Bávaro is an area starting from Cabeza de Toro until Macao Beach. As the hotels started to rise along the East coast, Bavaro itself became a center of services with shopping malls, fast-food stores, drug stores, fine restaurants, banks, clinics, workshops, supermarkets, and schools. The major town in the distric is Veron, now bigger than Higuey in territory, an espontaneus -and poor- urban development running along the original road from the west. Veron, last name of the French propietor of a timberline business in the early 30s, is now the base-city for hotel workers and related. It has, besides Bavaro, the only two gas stations. The very next is located 48 kilometres (30 mi) west in Higuey.

The Punta Cana International Airport is one of the busiest and best connected airports in the Caribbean. In 2008, Punta Cana received 3,758,109 passengers, making it the busiest airport in the country. The airport serves more passengers than the Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo. Grupo Puntacana built the Punta Cana International Airport in 1984 to facilitate tourism in the area. It was the world’s first privately owned international airport. In late 2009, the airport will have a US Customs preclearance station, which will allow passengers to clear customs and immigration before boarding a direct flight to the USA. Precleared flights can land at domestic terminals in the US.

• Average temperature: 82 degrees. Typical day: sunny with ocean breezes.
  Considering a vacation?
• This island country is known for its spectacular beaches.
  Go ahead. Have a look.
• What’s the perfect thing to do after a hard day of swimming and sunning?
  Two out of three doctors recommend shaking your money maker
• This island boasts not one, not two, but three golf courses designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus.
  Where is it?

• Can you name the only otariid that breeds south of the Antarctic Convergence?
  Wait, what’s an otariid?
• One day this baby will trade in its big fur coat for a sleek tuxedo.
  More baby penguins, right here
• Which explorer crossed this island on foot in 1916 looking for aid for his stranded crew?
  He sailed 800 miles in a whaling boat to get there
• This desolate island sparked a war between Argentina and the UK in 1982.
  Where is it?

Gold Harbour is a small bay 5 miles (8 km) south-southwest of Cape Charlotte, with Bertrab Glacier at its head, along the east end of South Georgia. During the early 1900s, the feature was variously called Anna’s Bay, Gold-Hafen or Sandwich Bay; the latter name has also been used for Iris Bay. The approved name appears to have taken root through common usage by sealers and whalers and is now well established. It is so called because the sun’s rays make the cliffs yellow with their light in the morning and evening.

There is no particular historical or geological reason to give Gold Harbour its mineral name, which was in common use among the early sealers. Perhaps they were inspired by the sunsets (see stamp). The Bertram Glacier at Gold Harbour was named by Filchner’s 1911-1912 German expedition after General von Bertrab, Chief Quartermaster of the German General Staff.

The area is a breeding ground for penguins include kings and gentoos, and elephant seals also breed here, especially at the west end of the beach, where a glacial stream flows. Sooty albatrosses also breed here.

• This sand castle is pretty elaborate, but for some it’s still child’s play.Learn about the science of sand art
• You don’t have to be a king to have your own castle.All it takes is a little sand
• Creations built of sand are not limited to just castles. Watch these videos of fantastic sculptures being built.Don’t forget a bucket and spade
• These castles were built in Maryland, USA, but we have our own that have stood the test of time.This castle still even has a moat

Miami Beach, Florida — Ethel Davies \/ Imagestate RM \/ Photolibrary

• This booming metropolis is one of the only major U.S. cities founded by a woman.

  She did a pretty good job

• Tropical climate + glamorous, diverse population + money = Perfect for TV shows.

  Ready to solve some crimes?

• Forbes Magazine ranked this city America’s Cleanest in 2008.

  See more of America’s cleanest city

• This city’s proximity to Cuba has made it a natural home for thousands of Cubans in exile.

  Its beaches make it a natural home for sunbathers