Mickey
Mouse, Miami Vice, Sleepless in Seattle… thanks
to cinema and TV we all have impressions of the
United States of America. Yet nothing can prepare
you for your first glimpse of Manhattan’s unforgettable
skyline, your first ride in a yellow cab, the
ubiquitous hamburger joints, the vast expanses
of prairie, the sweet strains of New Orleans jazz
or the neon-lit excesses of Las Vegas.
The
USA is a huge country to explore, with 50 states
to choose from, flanked by two oceans and covering
an incredibly varied terrain. For five centuries,
since the ‘New World’ discoveries of Christopher
Columbus, people from every corner of the globe
have come here in search of ‘the American Dream’.
Between them, they have created the richest, most
powerful country on earth, and a fascinating melting
pot of cultures and traditions.
Tourism
centres mainly on the subtropical states of Florida,
California and Hawaii, the winter ski resorts
and the huge metropolises. But it is the astonishing,
vast landscapes that make the USA truly distinctive
– spectacular National Parks like Yosemite and
the Everglades, rugged ice fields, the Great Lakes
and the desert plains – and such awe-inspiring
sights as the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains
should be on every visitor’s must-see list. As
Gertrude Stein remarked: “In the United States
there is more space where nobody is than where
anybody is. That is what makes America what it
is.”
Unfortunately
the US does not maintain a single tourist office
for the whole country. Each state operates its
own individual office to promote tourism in that
state only. If you are planning a trip to the
US, it is best to contact the offices in the states
that you wish to visit. They will be happy to
send you information including brochures on popular
attractions, road maps, and dining and lodging
guides. Below is a list of links for the tourist
offices in each state.
