Altun Ha, where archaeologists found a nine-pound jade carving among these ruins, the largest ever uncovered in a Mayan civilation.

Hong Kong is one of the few places in the world where a 700-year-old fishing village sits minutes away from the headquarters of international banks. Once a British colony and now a Special Administrative Region of China, the city carries traces of Cantonese, colonial, and global influences in its streets, rituals, and food. The city has more than 300 hiking trails, including the well-known Lion Rock hike, which ends at a dramatic cliff overlooking Kowloon’s dense skyline.

Saskatoon, set along the South Saskatchewan River in central Canada, is a city where prairie heritage meets a growing cultural scene. Known as the “City of Bridges” for the many spans that cross its winding river, Saskatoon combines natural charm with urban vibrancy.

Suriname’s forests cover more than nine‑tenths of the country and house an astounding array of wildlife. The Central Suriname Nature Reserve, one of the largest rainforest sanctuaries on Earth, shelters jaguars, giant river otters, and hundreds of bird species. Nearer the capital, Brownsberg Nature Park offers forest trails and waterfalls amid 1,450 plant and 350 bird species, just a short drive from Paramaribo.

Liberia, republic in western Africa, bounded on the north by Sierra Leone and Guinea, on the east by Côte d'Ivoire, and on the south and west by the Atlantic Ocean. Liberia has an area of 99,067 sq. km (38,250 sq. mi.). Liberia was founded in the early 1800s by freed American slaves. Monrovia is the capital and largest city.