Who would have thought, back in the tumultuous coup and counter coup days of the 1970s, that Burkina Faso would become the cultural darling of West Africa? Unlikely as it seems, Burkina Faso has become the Utah of West Africa, hosting a biennial film festival that rivals the Sundance Film Festival for cultural clout. When it's not hosting film festivals, it's busy organizing its other biennial cultural festival.

Bear Mountain State Park occupies a rugged section of the Hudson Highlands on the western bank of the Hudson River, about 45 miles north of New York City. The park covers roughly 5,000 acres of forests, mountain slopes, lakes, and riverfront, making it one of the best-known public recreation areas in the Hudson Valley. Its landscape supports hiking, biking, fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking, and winter activities.

Sigiriya, in central Sri Lanka, is an ancient rock fortress and one of the country’s most iconic archaeological sites. Rising nearly 200 meters from the surrounding plains, the massive granite column is crowned by the ruins of a royal palace built in the 5th century CE by King Kasyapa.

Hudson Valley is a broad region of southeastern New York State centered on the Hudson River and extending from the New York City area north toward the Capital Region. The river forms the region’s main geographical feature, flowing between the Catskill Mountains to the west and the Taconic Mountains to the east. Towns and cities including Beacon, Newburgh, Kingston, Hudson, Poughkeepsie, and Rhinebeck occupy the river corridor, while farmland, forests, and smaller communities spread into the surr

Cambodia, located in Southeast Asia, is a country known for its rich history, ancient temples, and vibrant culture. The landscape is diverse, with the Mekong River flowing through fertile plains, lush forests, and scenic highlands.