Guadalajara is a Mexican city located at the central region of the state of Jalisco, in the western-Pacific area of Mexico.    It serves as the capital of the state and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara.  It is the core of Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, which is a conurbation of the municipalities of Tlaquepaque, Zapopan, Tlajomulco de Zuñiga, Salto, El Tonalá, Ixtlahuacán del Río, and Juanacatlán.  The metropolitan area had a total population of 4,112,332 in 2005, making it the second most populous metropolitan area, after Greater Mexico City.  Guadalajara is the most densely populated of these municipalities, with a population of 1,600,940 in 2005.

Guadalajara is one of Mexico’s centers for culture, history, economy, industry, and tourism.  It is the birthplace of Mariachi music, sombreros, charreadas (rodeos, the Mexican hat dance and the popular Mexican liquor, tequila.  Its historic center is reminiscent of its rich colonial past, with its colonial architecture, old basilicas, and plazas.  The city is also known as the “Mexican Silicon Valley", as it is the country’s leading producer of software applications as well as electronic and digital components.  It is also regarded as the industrial capital of western Mexico for its industries in textile and clothing, leather goods, metal works, processed food, and pharmaceuticals. The city’s proximity to beaches, lakes, and other tourist destinations makes it an attractive spot for visitors.

Porto, or Oporto, is an industrialized northwestern city in Portugal.  It is the country’s second largest city and sits on the hills on the northern bank of the Douro River.  Its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean gives it a much cooler climate than most Mediterranean cities.  Porto summers are typically sunny, with occasional heat waves, while winters are usually rainy and windy.

Porto has always rivaled Lisbon in importance and economic power.  It is the capital of the northern regions in Portugal, and serves as the administrative and cultural center for the 14 municipalities in the Greater Metropolitan Area of Porto and Grater Porto.  It is also considered as one of Portugal’s chief economic centers, functioning in compliment with the economies industries of the members of the conurbation of Greater Porto.  One of Portugal’s internationally famed products, the Porto wine, got its name from the city because it was originally shipped from its ports.

Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of the state of Saba in east Malaysia.  It is situated in the northwest coast of the island of Borneo on a narrow flatland surrounded by the Crocker Range in the east and the South China Sea in the west.  Kota Kinabalu, or simply KK, is a major commercial and industrial center in east Malaysia.  Its well-maintained airport and network of roadways and railways contribute to its commercial and industrial growth.  Its economy is supported by a strong agriculture, palm oil, and fishing industries, manufacturing industries, and service sectors.  The latter became more apparent due to Kota Kinabalu’s growing popularity as a prime tourist get-away.  Its long sandy beaches, pristine blue waters and coral reefs, tropical rainforests, and mountain ranges are popular destination for tourists. 

Samut Prakan is a small yet densely inhabited city in Thailand. It is situated in the province of the same name, and can be found on the south of Bangkok. In Thai, "samut" means sea or ocean and "prakan" refers to a fortress. The old section of the district is known as Pak Nam, which means "river mouth". The name can be chiefly attributed to the location of the place itself – that is, at the opening of river called Chao Phraya.

The Samut Prakan commercial district is considered to be part of the Bangkok metropolitan area because of the identical modernization efforts evident in both cities. The major languages spoken in this part of the country are Thai and English. The time zone is Thailand Standard Time, and the currency used in business, as well as daily, transactions is none other than Baht (THB).

Udon Thani is a city in the northeast section of Thailand, which is about 560 kilometers from Bangkok. The capital city of the province that shares the same name, Udon Thani is the largest commercial center in this part of the country.

The city draws much of its income from rice farming and other agricultural activities that are mostly located in the center of the province. In recent years however, tourism has gradually started to catch up, and is now one of the highest revenue earners of the city.

Nonthaburi is the provincial capital of Nonthaburi Province, one of the main provinces of Thailand. It is situated by the Chao Phraya River near other provinces such as Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya and Bangkok. Nonthaburi city has a population of around 270,000 making it the second largest city in the country. It is also considered by most locals as a Bangkok suburb because of its location near the nation’s capital. Most areas in Nonthaburi are urbanized. The modern developments have made it comparable to Bangkok.

Krung Thep–or Bangkok, as it is more commonly known–is the capital and primate city of Thailand. It is the 22nd most densely populated city in the world, with a population of almost 7 million people at the last official count. In addition to this native population, Krung Thep is also home to a large number of immigrants both from the neighboring countries and from around the world.

Long having a reputation as being one of the most popular tourist spots in the city, Krung Thep boasts of several historical districts with majestic displays of the country’s architecture and stunning natural attractions, which include gorgeous beaches and lush green zones.

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand, located on the western coast of the southern section of the country. Drawing its name from the Malay word for “mountain”–bukit– Phuket is primarily a tourist town, an industry from which it draws most of its income.

It is in fact known worldwide for its many beautiful natural features that support this industry, and Phuket attracts thousands of people to its gorgeous beaches and stunning mountain vistas every year. Comprised of a heady blend of different nationalities, including Thais, Chinese, Malays and Chao Leh sea gypsies, Phuket’s residents are as colorful and distinctive as its surroundings. 

Khon Kaen is a city that is a remarkable study in contrasts. You are just as likely to run into a water buffalo in the streets as you would a high priced luxury car. The city’s residents are equally diverse, with young urban professionals dressed in the height of corporate fashion walking through the city’s main thoroughfares or sitting in the many marketplace food establishments elbow to elbow with Buddhist monks clad in their distinctive saffron-tinged robes.

Along with Songkhla, Chiang Mai, Chonburi and Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen is considered one of the major cities in Thailand, as determined by the country’s National Economic and Social Plan. The city is particularly well known for its role as the center of the region’s profitable silk trade.

Chiang Mai or Chiengmai is the biggest city in Thailand and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is situated near the highest peaks in the country along Ping River about 700 km north of the nation’s capital Bangkok. The city has become more modernized in recent years with a very strategic trade route that exists since ancient times. Total population count is around 700,000 with the urban area containing 150,000 people. There are 4 subdivisions in the city namely Nakhon Ping, Mengrai, Srivijaya and Kavila. UK expatriates will find solace and economic stability in any one of these prime spots.

Nakhon Ratchasima, also known by the local residents as “Khorat”, is a Thai province located on the northeastern section of the country. It is one of the largest provinces in Thailand, and is located approximately 260 kilometers from Bangkok.

Nakhon Ratchasima is gifted with a rich and colorful history, steeped in the legacy of the Khmer kingdom. Numerous signs of Khmer culture abound and the province is blessed with stunning natural displays as well, encompassing lush tropical forests, towering mountains, and sparkling waterfalls.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, many of the traditional customs are well preserved to this day, particularly in the Dan Kwian community, where clay pottery production is kept alive in the manner it has been for hundreds of years.

Florence, or Firenze, is a city situated in the central region of Tuscany in Italy, where it serves as the capital of the region and of the province of Florence.  The city is found on the Arno River at the foot of the Apennines Mountains.  Florence is considered as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance   and world-famous for its Gothic and Renaissance architecture, museums, art galleries, palaces, and monuments.  Its famous sons, Leonardo, Dante, Machiavelli and Michelangelo, all have their works showcased proudly in the city.

Florence is Tuscany’s most important city, serving as its commercial, manufacturing, and transportation center.  It’s an important market for Tuscan wines, olive oil, flowers, and fresh produce. Its industries include the manufacture of agricultural machinery, fertilizers, automotive parts, motorcycles,   precision instruments, chemicals, and plastics. Traditional Florentine handicrafts, such as jewelry, silverwork, glass, pottery, leather goods, furniture, wood carvings, and embroidery, are prominent items for the thousand of tourists that visit Florence each year. The textile and fashion industry have also made its mark in the Florentine market.  It is the homebase of the famous Italian fashion house of Salvatore Ferragamo, while other prestigious designer brands such as Gucci, Chanel, and Prada have a strong presence in the city as well.

Milan, or Milano, is a large, highly urbanized city in northern Italy.  It serves as the capital of the Milan Province and the Lombardy Region.  The city is surrounded by industrial suburbs, and is considered as a leading financial, commercial, and manufacturing center in Italy.  Milan also boasts the features of any modern city, such as towering apartment and office buildings, and an extensive railway network of subways and streetcars.

Milan has long been regarded as an artistic center for design and fashion.  It had produced top names in fashion and cultivated many top models in the world today.  Milan also features many upscale shopping districts, such as those of Via della Spiga and Porta Ticinese.  It also boasts of the world’s oldest shopping mall housed in a splendid 19th century palace, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.  Having hosted the famous names of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Bellini, and Botticelli, the city is a showcase of art in itself.  Dotted all over the city are numerous Italian Renaissance and Baroque art museums, Gothic churches with famed alfresco, paintings , and sculptures, and dozens of historical monuments commemorating Milan’s fascinating past. 

Oklahoma has truly had a uniquely colorful past, beginning with the now legendary Land Run of April 22, 1889, when thousands of people raced across the border to stake out homesteads on what was previously unclaimed land. It was the perfect beginning to this distinctive city and perfectly captures the free and pioneering spirit that is still evident to this very day.

Oklahoma again made headlines in April 1995 when the city’s federal building was bombed, resulting in the loss of 168 lives. The city has since rebuilt itself after this tragedy, and today it stands as a proud testament to its indomitable spirit.

We’ve all seen countless pictures and depictions of Las Vegas from TV and cinema. While these depictions have sometimes painted a fairly accurate image of the city, nothing can possibly prepare you for the combined sensory onslaught that Las Vegas provides first-hand. A blinding spectacle of casinos, restaurant, clubs and theaters, Las Vegas is truly one of the most colorful cities in the world, in both the literal and the figurative sense.

It may be surprising to some, but aside from the many more urban attractions that the city has to offer, Las Vegas has an abundance of stunning natural features as well. After all, the city is located in one of the most uniquely beautiful regions in the whole world.

With all the accolades that have been bestowed upon Portland over the years, it’s hard to know exactly what the city’s strongest suit is. “Cleanest City in the U.S.A”, “Most Bike-friendly City In The Country”, “Best Balanced City and Suburbs”, and even “Best City In The Country To Have A Baby In”, all of these praises have been given to the “City of Roses” at one time or another. The fact of the matter is that they are all true, and yet they only paint a small picture of everything that this amazing city has to offer.

Portland is clearly a city that lives for the great outdoors. Don’t get us wrong: there are certainly plenty of modern amenities such as those that you can find in any major big city. But the abundant natural beauty of the surroundings along with the care and thought that went into designing the city’s streets make Portland a place where you will simply want to spend as much of your time outdoors as possible.


 

Situated at the state of Maryland, Baltimore, the biggest city in the state, is an independent city. It is neither in any county nor is it a county itself. The city, though, has the same powers as the other 23 counties of Maryland.

It is often nicknamed “charm city” for its combination of small town generosity and elegance.  For its abundant fresh crabs, it is also known as the crabtown.
 
The City is Maryland’s chief center of commerce, education, and industry and it has one of the largest natural harbors in the world.  Baltimore Harbor is the only U.S. port with two links to the Atlantic Ocean-the Chesapeake-Delaware Canal to the north and Chesapeake Bay to the South.

For the sports fans, Baltimore is known as the birthplace of the Bambino- Babe Ruth, the baseball legend. Its Major League Team likewise, the Baltimore Orioles, resides at the prominent Oriole Park located at Camden Yards downtown. 

San Francisco is a city that is well known and loved all over the world, even by those who have never been there! It is truly a testament to the city’s unique charm and distinctive atmosphere that regular visitors keep coming back for more and that many people consider it the ultimate destination for future travel.

There are many different sides to the city, and one can choose what particular facet he or she wishes to explore in depth. Whether you are drawn in by its ultra modern and cosmopolitan flair, or if the more bohemian aspects of the city is more your style, San Francisco offers a unique blend of culture, history, sophistication and charm that truly earns it a place among the best cities in the world.

The largest city in the state of Michigan, Detroit is a major port metropolis situated on the banks of the Detroit River. Its name means "the strait", with respect to the large body of water that borders it. It recently ranked 11th in the category of the most heavily populated urban area in the country. It is also renowned as the world's long-established automotive hub. As a matter of fact, it was even nicknamed Motown and Motor City.

Geographically speaking, Detroit has long been considered as an oddity because of its location in reference to its neighboring metropolis – and country. It is the lone American city that looks south to the Canadian territory. In addition, its nearness to Windsor, Ontario provides for fantastic vistas and a bustling nightlife, together with the adjacent country's 19-and-above drinking age.

San Antonio City is considered to be the second largest in the entire state of Texas and the seventh biggest in the United States of America. It was named after an Italian saint – St. Anthony of Padua, when a Spanish mission happened to sojourn in the locale during his feast day in the year 1691.

This Texan city was also dubbed as the cultural entryway into the Southwest America. Aside from its rich cultural heritage, San Antonio is also well known for its wonderful sights and interesting attractions. As a matter of fact, around twenty million tourists visit it every year.

Some of the most notable places to see in San Antonio include the famous River Walk, the Sea World San Antonio, the Six Flags Fiesta theme parks, and the Alamo. The city also houses the first ever museum of contemporary art in the state of Texas – the Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum. One of the most successful basketball teams in the history of NBA (National Basketball Association) – the San Antonio Spurs – also bears the proud flag of the city. 

Jacksonville is both the largest city in Florida and the 12th most heavily populated region in the United States. Originally named Cowford, the city was later renamed Jacksonville after the first military governor and president of the United States, Andrew Jackson.

Jacksonville is definitely a modern city, but one of its biggest attractions for most visitors is the miles of beaches and sunny weather all year round. The city is also known for its wealth of recreational and leisure facilities, its vibrant lifestyle and rich cultural heritage. Many of the most popular historical sites in Jacksonville pay homage to the city’s African American legacy and its contributions to the Civil War.

Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona in the United States, and is the fifth largest city in the country, with an estimated population of more than 1.5 million people in 2006. An incredibly vibrant city with a diverse mix of cultures from all around the world, Phoenix is at once a highly sophisticated urban metropolis and a breath taking natural wonder gifted with many impressive landmarks, both man made and natural. Many of Phoenix’s best features are meant to be enjoyed in the great outdoors, and some of the best resorts in the world can be found here.

Dallas is a city in the state of Texas. It is the 2nd largest in the state and the 9th largest in the entire United States. The city is also the county seat of Dallas County. Overall, the city measures 385 square miles with over 1.2 million residents. The metropolitan area is the 4th largest in America listing Dallas as a gamma world city. Dallas continued to grow in prominence since its foundation in 1841. The city is now one of the economic powerhouses of America due to a growing number of industries and businesses.

Much has been said and written about Philadelphia over the years, but mere words hardly do this most marvelous of cities justice. Gifted with an amazingly rich history, uniquely vibrant culture and some of the warmest, most accommodating people that you will meet anywhere, Philadelphia is truly a city that stands among the world’s finest urban capitals.

Most often fondly referred to as “Philly” by longtime residents as well as one time visitors who have fallen in love with the city, Philadelphia has another equally famous moniker, being known all over the world as the “City of Brotherly Love”.

Houston is both the fourth largest city in the United States and the largest city in Texas. Founded in 1836, the city credits the beginning of its continuous and unsurpassed growth to the discovery of oil in 1901. Not a city to rest on its previous accomplishments however, Houston has since then made outstanding advancements in the fields of manufacturing, aeronautics, and technology. Today, the city is home to a vast multicultural population, as well as a flourishing cultural and artistic scene.

Chicago is the biggest city in the state of Illinois. It is also the biggest in the entire Midwest with a population of around 3 million people. Chicago is the third largest city and metropolitan area in the United States. The city is situated in Cook County while the metropolitan area moves over many other counties. Chicago has quickly grown in terms of business, transportation and trade because of its strategic location between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed. Now it is an alpha world city. UK expatriates will surely appreciate the booming economy as well as the rich architecture and history.