Delve into the rich culture and history of Turkiye on an intoxicating journey across this incredible land.
A chance to explore breathtaking sights in three fascinating South American countries.
North America stretches from Arctic landscapes to tropical rainforests and is home to some of the world’s best-known cities and natural wonders.
Canada is the world’s second-largest country and has the longest coastline of any nation.
Costa Rica’s 12 tropical microclimates support remarkably varied landscapes, from cloud forests to Caribbean and Pacific coastlines.
The Grand Canyon stretches for around 277 miles, while the USA has 63 places officially designated as national parks.
Travelsphere tours explore the USA, Canada and Costa Rica, taking in highlights including the Rocky Mountains, Niagara Falls, America’s national parks and Costa Rica’s rainforests.
North America is a land of breathtaking landscapes, from the towering Rocky Mountains to the lush rainforests of Costa Rica. With vibrant cities like New York, Vancouver, and San José, and natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls, this continent offers a rich blend of history, culture, and adventure. Read on to uncover 12 fascinating facts about its most remarkable destinations.
Ready to explore North America? Discover our range of escorted tours in the USA.
The capitals of North America include Washington, D.C. (USA), Ottawa (Canada), and San José (Costa Rica). Each of these cities offers a unique blend of history, culture and distinctive architecture.
Visitors can discover Washington, D.C.'s iconic landmarks such as the White House and National Mall, admire Ottawa's Gothic Revival architecture at Parliament Hill, or experience San José and its cultural attractions before heading into Costa Rica's remarkable natural landscapes.
Travelsphere’s North America holidays offer opportunities to discover all three countries. Ottawa features on several Canadian itineraries, while The Best of Costa Rica includes a tour of San José, taking in sights including the National Theatre and Gold Museum.
The United States uses the US Dollar (USD), which is the most widely used currency in North America, with around 60% of the continent’s population relying on it. Canada uses the Canadian Dollar (CAD) while Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican Colón (CRC), although the US Dollar is also commonly accepted in many parts of the country. These currencies play a crucial role in the region’s economies, facilitating trade, tourism, and international business.
From enormous metropolitan areas such as New York and Toronto to sparsely populated mountain and wilderness regions, that population is distributed remarkably unevenly across the continent.
The United States, with over 330 million residents, has the largest share, followed by Canada with approximately 40 million. Costa Rica, though smaller in population at around 5 million, adds to the continent’s diverse cultural and environmental landscape. This vast population brings together a mix of languages, traditions, and histories, contributing to a unique and dynamic cultural identity across the region.
Spanning 24.71 million square kilometres (9.54 million square miles), North America accounts for 16.5% of the Earth's total land area. This vast continent includes diverse landscapes, from the towering Rocky Mountains to the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica.
The sheer size of North America allows for a wide range of climates, ecosystems, and cultural influences, making it one of the most geographically and environmentally varied regions in the world.
The United States and Canada each span six different time zones, making them some of the most geographically expansive countries in the world. The US covers time zones from Eastern Standard Time (EST) in New York to Pacific Standard Time (PST) in California, as well as Alaska and Hawaii-Aleutian Time. Canada stretches from Newfoundland Time (NST) in the east to Pacific Time (PST) in British Columbia.
Canada also has an unusual time-zone quirk: Newfoundland Standard Time is offset by half an hour rather than a whole hour, sitting 30 minutes ahead of Atlantic Standard Time.
The United States was founded in 1776 with the original 13 colonies, gradually expanding westward to form the 50 states we know today. The final two states joined remarkably recently: Alaska became the 49th state in January 1959, followed by Hawaii as the 50th in August of the same year.
Each state has its own history, culture, and geography, shaped by centuries of development and migration. Travelsphere's escorted tours to the USA take visitors to some of the most renowned destinations, including the iconic cities of New York and Washington, D.C., where travellers can explore Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the White House, and the National Mall.
Nature lovers can experience the breathtaking Grand Canyon and the stunning landscapes of the national parks on dedicated tours. Whether exploring vibrant urban centres or awe-inspiring natural wonders, each state offers something special for visitors to discover.
Ready to explore the best of every state? Check out our A-Z of hotspots to visit in the USA and start planning your next adventure!
Canada spans nearly 10 million square kilometres, making it the second-largest country in the world after Russia. Travelsphere Canada tours take visitors to some of the country's most breathtaking destinations, including Banff National Park, where travellers can admire the stunning Lake Louise and explore the dramatic mountain scenery of the Canadian Rockies. Other highlights include Jasper National Park, known for its diverse wildlife and scenic drives, and the vibrant city of Vancouver, offering a mix of natural beauty and urban attractions.
With over 202,000 kilometres of coastline, Canada boasts breathtaking coastal landscapes, from the dramatic cliffs of the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia to the picturesque waterfront of Vancouver. Travelsphere’s Rocky Mountaineer holidays take you to stunning coastal destinations, including Victoria on Vancouver Island, where visitors can explore Butchart Gardens and the historic Inner Harbour, as well as the scenic shores of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec City.
Costa Rica is home to 12 distinct climate zones, creating a diverse range of ecosystems, from tropical rainforests to misty cloud forests and coastal beaches. In Tortuguero National Park, travellers explore lush waterways in a tropical wet climate, while in Monteverde Cloud Forest, the cool, misty highlands provide a striking contrast. The northern plains of Muelle de San Carlos offer a drier climate with rolling farmland, and the Pacific coast in Manuel Antonio boasts golden beaches and tropical forests. This incredible climatic diversity makes Costa Rica one of the most unique travel destinations in the world.
Our Best of Costa Rica holiday showcases these contrasts particularly well, travelling from Tortuguero on the Caribbean side to the Arenal region and Monteverde Cloud Forest before continuing to Manuel Antonio on the Pacific coast.
The Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, is a breathtaking geological marvel carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. Spanning approximately 277 miles in length and reaching depths of over a mile, its layered rock formations reveal nearly two billion years of Earth's history. Visitors can experience its vast scale by enjoying scenic viewpoints along the South Rim and exploring key observation areas that showcase its breathtaking rock formations and vast canyon floor. Travelsphere’s Best of the West tour ensures a memorable visit to this iconic destination.
Ready to experience the breathtaking beauty of America’s national parks? Discover our 17-day Yellowstone National Park holidays.
Times Square is one of North America's busiest and most recognisable attractions, drawing an estimated 50 million visitors each year. Known for its bright, animated billboards, world-renowned Broadway theatres, and bustling energy, it is the heart of New York City’s entertainment district. As part of Travelsphere’s New England, Canada & New York in The Fall tour, visitors can explore this vibrant location, soak in its electric atmosphere, and visit landmarks like One Times Square, where the famous New Year's Eve Ball Drop takes place.
The United States has 63 officially designated national parks, protecting an extraordinary range of landscapes, wildlife habitats and geological features. Yellowstone, established in 1872, was the world's first national park and remains famous for its geysers, hot springs and abundant wildlife.
Travelsphere’s Epic Wonders of the National Parks tour takes visitors through several of America’s most breathtaking national parks. Highlights include Yellowstone National Park, home to the famous Old Faithful geyser and vibrant hot springs, and Grand Teton National Park, known for its dramatic mountain peaks. The tour also includes visits to the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Bryce Canyon’s unique rock formations, and Zion National Park’s towering sandstone cliffs. Each destination offers awe-inspiring landscapes and opportunities to experience the beauty of America’s great outdoors.
Discover America's best national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
Embark on an incredible adventure across North America with Travelsphere’s expertly designed escorted tours. From the iconic landmarks of the US to the breathtaking landscapes of Canada and Costa Rica, our journeys offer the perfect blend of history, natural beauty, and vibrant culture. Let us guide you through the diverse wonders of North America, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Venture through seven states and be mesmerised by the breath-taking and diverse scenery on this Royal Geographical Society tour to Americas National Parks.
Take a toe-tapping journey through America’s music history. From Nashville to New Orleans and Elvis to BB King, this exhilarating tour has it all.
From east to west, this ultimate trip across Canada takes in all the must-see highlights and includes a breathtaking journey on the Rocky Mountaineer train.
Explore the wonders of the west on a holiday that includes both a luxurious journey on the Rocky Mountaineer train and an unforgettable Alaskan cruise.
Discover the splendours of New England, from historic Boston and charming Cape Cod to Martha’s Vineyard and beautiful Maine.
Marvel at New England’s glorious fall foliage, explore iconic cities and see the spectacular Niagara Falls.
Explore the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains and the vibrant cities of Victoria and Vancouver on a holiday that’s packed full of magnificent sights and scenery.
From Nashville to New Orleans, from Johnny Cash to Elvis - take a toe-tapping journey through America's Deep South, culminating in the world-famous Mardi Gras
Winter is a great time to explore the Canadian Rockies, with snowy peaks, frozen waterfalls and sleigh rides just some of the magical highlights.
