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Africa is a vast continent of diverse cultures and landscapes. Surpassed in size and population only by Asia, Africa boasts about 14% of the worlds' population and over 20% of the total global land area. Most of this land is dominated by desert and savannah plains, though there are also stretches of rain forest.
Owing to its history of being a colonised land, traditional African culture is infused with Arabic and European influences.
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, encompassing China and India, the world's two largest countries population-wise. Four billion of the world's 6.6 billion people live in Asia.
From the vast frozen stretches of Siberia to the steamy jungles of Thailand and the dramatic peaks of the north Indian sub-continent or the vast deserts of Arabia, Asia is a diverse region that defies categorisation. Modern cities like Tokyo, Shanghai and Singapore herald a growingly urban landscape, but this move towards modernisation is negotiated with the desire to maintain cultural tradition.
Caribbean is commonly known as one of the best places in the world to go diving, snorkelling and relaxing at one of many beaches. Of course, there are more things to do as there are some interesting historical cities and mountainous areas for some good trekking. Lots of people do come here on package trips but for the independent traveller who likes to explore more, countries like Cuba and the Dominican Republic are big enough to spend weeks.
If you would like to travel between the islands, one of the great ways to travel around the Caribbean is by ferry or boat.
Central America is the relatively narrow strip of land between Mexico and Colombia. It is popular with budget travellers with numerous options regarding culture and nature.
Europe may be the world's second smallest continent, but it's a place of extreme importance, both in today's world and throughout history. The grand empires of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome were the early signposts, but the centuries since that time have seen the rise and fall of more great powers. Perhaps the era of Europe's greatest dominance began several centuries ago, as European nations set out to explore, colonise, and "Westernise" the rest of the world. Even now, decades after the official end of colonisation, Europe enjoys the power birthed and fostered during previous centuries.
Europe may not be large, but it is unique and diverse. Compare the wealth and power of Western Europe with the comparatively underdeveloped Eastern Europe. Enjoy the warmth of Southern Europe; or take in breathtaking winter scenery in Northern Europe. Witness some of the world's most modern buildings in some of the world's oldest cities.
Middle East is a historical and political region of Afro-Eurasia with no clear boundaries. The term "Middle East" was popularized around 1900 in the United Kingdom; it has a loose definition traditionally encompassing countries or regions in Western Asia and parts of North Africa. The corresponding adjective to Middle East is Middle-Eastern and the derived noun is Middle-Easterner.
North America is a continent in the Earth's northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. It is bordered on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southeast by the Caribbean Sea, and on the south and west by the North Pacific Ocean; South America lies to the southeast. It covers an area of about 24,709,000 square kilometers (9,540,000 sq mi), about 4.8% of the planet's surface or about 16.5% of its land area. As of July 2007, its population was estimated at nearly 524 million people. It is the third-largest continent in area, following Asia and Africa, and is fourth in population after Asia, Africa, and Europe. North America and South America are collectively known as the Americas.
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