Kalmar Union, combination of the crowns of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, effected at Kalmar, Sweden, by Margaret I in 1397. Because all three crowns were elective, the union could not be maintained by inheritance. Margaret's successors controlled Sweden intermittently until Gustavus I of Sweden dissolved the union (1523). Norway became independent in 1814.

El Valle de Antón is a mountain town in Panama’s Coclé Province, set within the broad crater of an inactive volcano. Its elevated setting gives the area a cooler climate than much of the surrounding lowlands, while mountains and forested slopes surround the town. Streams, waterfalls, gardens, farms, and wooded areas are found throughout the valley, creating a landscape shaped by volcanic geology and tropical vegetation.

Stretching over 4,200 kilometers along the southwestern coast of South America, Chile is a country of dramatic contrasts and hidden surprises. From the world’s driest desert in the north to the icy fjords of Patagonia in the south, Chile offers a landscape that constantly reinvents itself. Visitors can walk through the Atacama Desert, where NASA tests Mars rovers, or gaze at the clearest night skies on Earth from the high-altitude observatories near San Pedro de Atacama.

Saint-Pierre is a historic coastal town in northern Martinique, set between the Caribbean Sea and the slopes of Mount Pelée. Once the island’s principal port and commercial centre, the town was destroyed by the volcano’s eruption and later rebuilt around surviving ruins and archaeological remains. Today, Saint-Pierre is recognized as a Town of Art and History, with a landscape that combines the sea, volcanic mountain, historic streets, and remnants of the former city.

Vang Vieng, nestled along the banks of the Nam Song River in central Laos, is an adventurer's paradise surrounded by stunning limestone karsts and verdant landscapes. Known for its laid-back atmosphere and natural beauty, this small town has transformed from a backpacker haven into a more sophisticated destination offering a mix of adventure, relaxation, and cultural experiences.