Ohio offers a blend of surprises that range from ancient earthworks to world-class roller coasters. In the southern part of the state, the newly designated Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks tells the story of a sophisticated Native American culture that built massive geometric mounds over 2,000 years ago. Visitors can walk among these quiet, grassy structures and learn how they were used for ceremonies, astronomy, and social gatherings long before European contact.
Payette National Forest covers a large area of west-central Idaho, extending across the rugged Salmon River Mountains and the western side of the state’s central mountain country. The forest includes alpine ridges, deep river valleys, conifer forests, meadows, and high mountain lakes.
The Thar Desert stretches across northwestern India, with its largest Indian expanse lying in Rajasthan and extending toward the borders of Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana. It is a dry landscape of sand dunes, gravel plains, rocky ground, thorn scrub, and scattered grasslands rather than an entirely sandy wilderness. Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Bikaner are among the best-known gateways to the desert, while smaller settlements reveal how people have adapted to scarce water and extreme temperatures. The
Topeka is the capital of Kansas, located along the Kansas River in the northeastern part of the state. The city developed near the meeting point of river transportation, agriculture, and overland travel, and it remains an important center for state government and regional commerce. The Kansas State Capitol stands at the heart of the city, while the surrounding area includes historic neighborhoods, museums, parks, and cultural institutions.