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.

A lesser-known river port in the Mekong Delta, Sa Dec was once the capital of Dong Thap province of southern Vietnam. Today, it is best known for its flower gardens and authentic bustling market. The city is also famous as the setting for French writer Marguerite Duras' 1984 novel, The Lover, and its 1991 film adaptation of the same name.

Namib-Naukluft National Park is Namibia’s largest protected area, covering a vast stretch of desert from the central plateau toward the Atlantic coast. Its landscape includes rolling gravel plains, isolated rocky mountains, dry river valleys, and some of the country’s most recognizable sand dunes. The park contains the Namib Sand Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage property known for extensive dune fields shaped by wind and coastal fog.

Luzon is the 15th largest island in the world, and the most populous island in the Philippines, home to 53 million people and the country’s capital, Manila. Luzon boasts a unique and eye-catching topography, with a variety of terrains and distinct geographical features. The north’s flat coastline and tropical pine forests meet at the site of Mount Pulag, Luzon’s tallest mountain peak.

Santa Maria is a city on California’s Central Coast, located between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. The area is known for its agricultural industry, coastal access, and long connection to ranching culture.