Panama
Panama may be best-known for the Panama Canal, but the Central American country has many other incredible features, like its beautiful coasts in both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, its unmatched biodiversity and an abundance of exciting restaurants. Panama, with a population of 3.8 million, is a large isthmus, or a narrow piece of land connecting larger areas, located between Costa Rica to the northwest and Colombia to the southeast. Because of its unique location, the Panama Canal, a 48-mile long ship canal, was built and first put into use in 1914 to connect the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. It's considered one of the most impressive engineering accomplishments of the 20th century. People love to sit and watch the wide variety of vessels, from cruise ships to tour boats, move through the giant locks. Panama’s incredible biodiversity makes ecotourism very important. Camping, bird watching, hiking, sailing, whale watching and zip lining are all ways for travelers to experience Panama’s natural beauty. Surfing in Panama is world-class and some of the best in Central America.
Paris
Romance, charm, world-class cuisine and elegance all come to mind for the legendary city of Paris. As France's largest and capital city, Paris is a center of government, culture and activity. The major metropolitan city is located on the banks of the river Seine in the northern region of France. Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world and is considered a leader in the arts, fashion, culture, media and business. Nicknamed the City of Lights, Paris is divided into 20 different districts known as arrondissements, which start with the first in the center of the city and proceed to spiral clockwise to the outer rings of Paris. The Seine River snakes its way through the city and divides Paris into two unique sections — the north side is referred to as the Right Bank (Rive Droite) and to the south, the Left Bank (Rive Gauche). The Parisian neighborhoods house many of the city's most famous attractions in addition to their own cultural characteristics. Paris is easy to navigate with its extensive subway and train system, called the Metro. Some of the world's best museums and landmarks call Paris home. The Eiffel Tower is recognized around the world as the most iconic Paris landmark, soaring high above the city. Art museums abound and the most notable is the sprawling Louvre Museum, which is housed in what once was a royal palace and can barely be seen in a day with its grandiose collection of historic art. The Musee d’Orsay is a more manageable size. It's located in a renovated train station and provides a wonderful array of historic art pieces.
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