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The cities are alphabetically arranged for easy browsing. Their updates
and/or additions are on-going.
| Our Picture
Hinh, Chan and friends arriving at Baltimore-Washington International
Airport to attend the wedding of Cam, Chan's long-time college friend (right).
|
Another View
"A More Prosperous City
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| Our Picture
Hinh and Chan in Chicago by Lake Michigan on a rainy day. Behind us
erect imposing high-rise buildings of Chicago, which have been so symbolic
of the material richness brought about by a free-market economy.
|
Another View
"Chicago (city, Illinois), city and seat of Cook County, located in northeastern Illinois, on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Chicago River. Chicago is the third largest city in the United States and one of the country's leading industrial, commercial, transportation, and financial centers... ...Chicago covers a land area of 588.2 sq km (227.1 sq mi) and extends 47 km (29 mi) along Lake Michigan... ...Chicago is the center of a large metropolitan area
spreading across three states, from Kenosha, Wisconsin, in the north to
Gary, Indiana, in the southeast. The population of the consolidated metropolitan
statistical area increased from 8,115,000 in 1980 to 8,240,000 in 1990.
It reached an estimated 8,590,000 in 1995..."
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| Our Picture
Hinh in downtown Denver on a business trip. What a nice day! What a
clean city!
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Another View
"Denver, city in north central Colorado, capital of the state and its largest city. Denver is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of the Rocky Mountain region and the home of numerous federal government agencies and offices. The city's dry, sunny climate is favored by tourists. Denver is known as the Mile High City, a nickname it was given because a spot on the state capitol steps is at an elevation of 5280 ft (1609m), exactly one mile above sea level... ...Denver is on the western edge of the Great Plains near the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The range's snowcapped peaks rise abruptly from low foothills and provide a spectacular backdrop to the city. In the city is the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek. Denver's location on the plains gives it a climate quite different from that found in the Rocky Mountains a short distance to the west. Denver experiences more moderate temperatures and receives less precipitation. The average high temperature in January is 6° C (43° F) and the average low is -9° C (16° F). The average high in July is 31° C (88° F) and the average low is 15° C (59° F). Annual precipitation measures 391 mm (15.4 in) on average; most arrives in spring and summer months, with much of the accumulation in early spring in the form of snow. ...Denver was founded in 1858 at the beginning of a regional
gold rush and named after James W. Denver, territorial governor of Kansas,
of which the region was still a part..."
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| Our Picture
Hinh and Chan in downtown Indianapolis. In many American developed cities,
their centres, while lively packed with cars and office workers during
week days, are just deserted like ghost towns during weekends.
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Another View
"Indianapolis, city in the geographical center of Indiana and capital of the state. Also the seat of Marion County, with which it consolidated in 1970. Historically a leading center of manufacturing and commerce in the Midwest, Indianapolis also is an important transportation hub. Known as the Crossroads of America, four interstate freeways and four federal highways meet in Indianapolis, putting the city within a day's drive of one-half the nation's population. Indianapolis is located on the Tipton Till Plain, an area of flat to gently rolling land shaped by the retreat of a glacier 18,000 years ago. The White River, which flows through the city from northeast to southwest, is too shallow to be used for shipping. In fact, Indianapolis is noted as being the largest United States city not on a natural body of navigable water. The city's climate is temperate, with no pronounced wet or dry seasons. Annual precipitation is 1014 mm (39.9 in). In January the average high temperature is 1° C (34° F) and the average low is -8° C (17° F); in July the average high is 30° C (86° F) and the average low is 18° C (65° F)... ...The development of Indianapolis began in 1820 when
a committee from the state's legislature chose the site for a new state
capital because of its central location. The legislature named the city
Indianapolis, which literally means the City of Indiana (from the Greek
polis, or “city”)..."
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| Our Picture
Coming soon
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Another View
"Lexington (Kentucky), also Lexington-Fayette, consolidated city with Fayette County, north central Kentucky. The surrounding area, known as the Inner Bluegrass region, is a leading world center for horse breeding and sales. Lexington is also a regional retail, financial, manufacturing, and educational center. Products include computer printers, automobiles and parts, electrical and electronic equipment, paper goods, and processed food. The city is served by Blue Grass Airport... ...Lexington covers a land area of 736.9 sq km (284.5
sq mi), with a mean elevation of 288 m (946 ft). According to the 1990
census, whites are 84.7 percent of the population, blacks 13.4 percent,
Asians and Pacific Islanders 1.5 percent, and Native Americans 0.2 percent.
The remainder are of mixed heritage or did not report ethnicity. Hispanics,
who may be of any race, are 1.0 percent of the people. Population 204,165
(1980);; 241,749 (1998 estimate)..."
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| Our Picture
Hinh at the foot of a statue of King Louis XVI of France.
|
Another View
"- Louisville has been called "The Gateway to the South"
which means, logically, that it is also "The Gateway to the North." It
all depends on which way you're traveling.
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| Our Picture
Hinh and Chan in front of America's largest shopping mall housing thousands
of stores and numerous amusement centres, which may take days to tour completely
- a cool business concept perhaps realisable only in large countries
|
Another View
"Minneapolis, city in southeastern Minnesota. The seat of Hennepin County, the city is located by the Falls of Saint Anthony, at the head of navigation of the Mississippi River. It is the largest city in Minnesota and one of the largest cities in the upper Midwest, and, with the adjacent city of Saint Paul to the east, dominates the economic and cultural life of this extensive region. Minneapolis and Saint Paul are known as the Twin Cities. ...At the 1990 census, Minneapolis had a population of
368,383, a decrease from the 1980 population of 370,951. The city's population
continued to decline in the 1990s, falling to 351,731 in 1998. Meanwhile,
the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area was increasing in population,
reaching an estimated 2,538,776 in 1995, a 7.3 percent increase from 1990.
According to the 1990 census, whites constitute 78.5 percent of the population
of Minneapolis; blacks, 13.0 percent; Asians and Pacific Islanders, 4.3
percent; and Native Americans, 3.3 percent. Hispanics, who may be of any
race, constitute 2.0 percent of the population..."
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| Our Picture
Hinh and Chan on board a shuttle boat carrying tourists from all over
the world to visit the Statue of Liberty.
|
Another View
"New York (city), the largest city in the United States, the home of the United Nations, and the center of global finance, communications, and business. New York City is unusual among cities because of its high residential density, its extraordinarily diverse population, its hundreds of tall office and apartment buildings, its thriving central business district, its extensive public transportation system, and its more than 400 distinct neighborhoods. The city's concert houses, museums, galleries, and theaters constitute an ensemble of cultural richness rivaled by few cities. In 1990 the population of the city of New York was 7,322,564; the population of the metropolitan region was 19,550,000. ...Located in the southeastern part of New York State just east of northern New Jersey, the city developed at the point where the Hudson and Passaic rivers mingle with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound. The harbor consists of the Upper Bay (an arm of the Atlantic Ocean) as well as the East River and the various waterways that border the city. Its harbor is one of the largest and finest in the world and is ice-free in all seasons... ...New York has a temperate climate with annual precipitation
of 1,200 mm (47 in) per year. The temperature ranges between 41°C (106°
F) and –24° C (–11° F), but the Atlantic Ocean tends to moderate
weather extremes in the city. It is about the same latitude as Naples,
Italy. Although the Dutch founded the city in 1624 and called it Fort Amsterdam
and then New Amsterdam, the English captured the settlement in 1664 and
renamed it New York, after the Duke of York, who later became James II
of England..."
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| Our Picture
Hinh and Chan in front of St-Paul Congress.
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Another View
"Saint Paul is a charming, historic, family-style city, recognized for its European look and friendly people. It boasts some of the world's finest culture and architecture, yet is only minutes away from picturesque parks and rural settings. Saint Paulites enjoy a high standard of living and pride themselves on the cleanliness and cultural appeal of their city. Saint Paul has been recognized as the most livable city, best place to do business, best place for working women, best place to raise a family and many other distinctions. This capital city has become the cultural hub of Minnesota
featuring theaters, interactive museums, galleries and architectural masterpieces..."
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| Our Picture
Hinh, Chan and her mom, with other friends and their relatives, in front
of the Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on a shiny day. The city is not
so new and clean as it looks.
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Another View
"Washington, D.C., city and district, capital of the United States of America. The city of Washington has the same boundaries as the District of Columbia (D.C.), a federal territory established in 1790 as the site of the new nation's permanent capital. Named after the first U.S. president, George Washington, the city has served since 1800 as the seat of federal government. It is also the heart of a dynamic metropolitan region. During the 20th century, the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area grew rapidly as the responsibilities of national government increased, both at home and throughout the world. ...The city is located at the confluence of the Potomac
and Anacostia rivers and is flanked on the north, east, and southeast by
Maryland and on the southwest by Virginia. Although the city has retained
some aspects of its Southern origin, it has assumed a much more cosmopolitan
character. At the same time, the city struggles with social and economic
disparity, and a number of its residential neighborhoods suffer from poverty
and crime. Washington's climate is hot and humid in the summer and cold
and damp in the winter. The average daily temperature range is -3°
to 8°C (27° to 46°F) in January and 22° to 31°C (72°
to 88°F) in July. The city averages 98 cm (39 in) of precipitation
per year..."
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| Our Picture
Hinh, Chan and our parents in Hull Museum of Civilisation. Topping the
hill afar is Canadian Parliament.
|
AnotherView
"...At the turn of the century Hull is celebrating its 200 years of history. Like its residents, ours is a dynamic city that offers a high-quality environment in which you and your family can flourish. Hull is the major city of the Outaouais region, located directly across from Parliament Hill in Ottawa and just a few steps from Gatineau Park with its unspoiled nature a real paradise for fans of cycling and cross-country skiing. Whether you want to know more about our municipal services, the many tourist attractions in Hull or investment opportunities, our new site has what you're looking for..." (A quote from Hull Mayor's on-line welcome message: www.ville.hull.qc.ca) |
| Our Picture
Hinh, Chan and her mom in front of Montreal's 1976 Olympic Stadium.
|
Another View
"Montréal, city in Île-de-Montréal County, southern Québec province, Canada. The largest city and second largest metropolitan area of Canada, Montréal is one of Canada's leading commercial, industrial, and service centers. It is also a center of Canadian intellectual and cultural life and the chief cultural center of the French part of Canada. Most of the residents are of French descent and speak the French language; however, a significant minority speaks English, giving Montréal a bilingual character... ...Founded by the French in 1642, Montréal is one
of the oldest cities in North America. Its name comes from the old French
form of the name of the mountain, Mount Royal, that dominates the city.
Montréal has a northern climate, with a mean July daytime-nighttime
temperature range of 26° to 15°C (79° to 60°F) and a mean
January range of -6° to -15°C (22° to 5°F). With an average
yearly snowfall of 214 cm (84 in), winter snowdrifts can become deep, and
popular winter activities are skating, skiing, and ice hockey..."
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| Our Picture
Hinh and Chan on a restaurant balcony looking over colourfully roofed hotels in one of Quebec's best-known ski resorts on a late summer day. If I have to put on a few layers of warm clothes in the summer, one could imagine how cold this land is in the winter! After all, Mont-Tremblant seems more vivid on the right picture than on the left, though covered with snow and ice. |
Another View
"4-Season destination: Québécois joie de vivre... The #1 ski resort in eastern North America is a WORLD-CLASS 4-Season playground: While the soul of Tremblant is the mountain, the heart is now the village - with 75 shops and restaurants, a cinema, an indoor/outdoor swimming and health club complex , a kids' club, and Les Suites and Le Westin Resort, and a lot more! All year long, events and festivals reflect Tremblant's irrepressible joie de vivre." (A quote from www.tremblant.ca)
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| Our Picture
Hinh and Chan soaked, yet excited after a boat tour close to the Falls.
A rainy day like this in Canada sees the temperature drop to a shivering
level against which even Da-lat (Vietnam highland) winter is no match.
|
Another View
"...The magnificence of the Falls inspires many to visit our City. Unquestionably, the Falls offer one of the most incredible scenic experiences in the world, especially Friday evenings in the summer, when the skies above are lit by breathtaking fireworks. However, once you have enjoyed the unparalleled view to the fullest we hope that you will decide to linger a little longer. Beyond the Falls, there is so much to see and do: there is the resplendent Parks system, historical sites from the War of 1812, man-made wonders and a multitude of other attractions to be enjoyed by all. Hundreds of fine restaurants offer an eclectic variety of tastes. Local wineries and a wide array of retail, gift and craft shops provide unique shopping opportunities. The Fall of 1996 heralded in the long-awaited Casino Niagara which now provides year-round, first-class entertainment. In addition, the winter months offer our annual Winter Festival of Lights, which is highlighted by the Enchantment of Disney Motion Lights Display and Canada's biggest New Year's Eve extravaganza..." (A quote from the City of Niagara Falls Mayor's on-line welcome message: www.city.niagarafalls.on.ca) |
| Our Picture
Hinh and Chan by the Vietnamese Statue of Mother Carrying Her Son ("Me bong con") right in the capital of Canada. The statue symbolically marks the historic waves of Vietnamese escaping communist rule during 1970's and 1980's in search of freedom. Such tragic departure from their motherland, on the other hand, is the beginning of massive introduction of Vietnamese culture and of pronounced contribution of Vietnamese talent to the rest of the world, especially the West.
|
Another View
"Ottawa (city, Ontario), city, capital of Canada, located in the southeastern part of the province of Ontario. Ottawa is the administrative center of Canada and is part of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton. Ottawa and surrounding municipalities form Canada's National Capital Region, which includes government agencies, parks, and tourist sites. The development and improvement of the National Capital Region are the responsibility of the National Capital Commission (NCC), a major landowner, which has developed significant public works in the area. ...Ottawa is one of the coldest national capitals in the
world. Temperatures in January range from a high of -6° C (21°
F) to a low of -16° C (4° F). In July, the temperatures range from
a high of 26° C (80° F) to a low of 15° C (59° F)..."
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| Our Picture
Hinh and a French language immersion programme friend inside the Citadel,
Quebec City. One may notice a Canadian guard still dressed in a very British
way. With that and a well-preserved European-style architecture, the city
could give its tourists a good taste of Europe right here in North America.
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Another View
"Québec (city), capital of the province of Québec, Canada, in Québec County, located at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Saint Charles rivers in the southern part of the province. Québec is dominated by a dramatic promontory, Cap Diamant (Cape Diamond), situated 98 m (320 ft) above a narrowing of the St. Lawrence River; the city's name is from an Algonquian word meaning “where the river narrows.” It is the only fortified city in North America north of Mexico and was chosen as a world heritage site by the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). ...Québec has long, cold winters and short, mild
summers. The average daily temperature range is -8°C (18°F) to
-17°C (1°F) in January and 25°C (77°F) to 13°C (56°F)
in July..."
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| Our Picture
Hinh and Chan at the entrance of Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Toronto is to Canada as New York is to the US. Scores of tour buses unload thousands of sight-seers right where we stand to "climb" the CN Tower, on top of which reside numerous rotating high-end restaurants. |
Another View
"Toronto, capital city of the province of Ontario, Canada, located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. Toronto has the largest metropolitan area in Canada and is the financial center of the country. The city is part of the Golden Horseshoe, a highly urbanized and industrialized region extending around the west end of Lake Ontario. In the 1990s Toronto was ranked among the top ten world cities, both in livability and as a place to do business... ...Toronto has a climate with strong seasonal variations,
which are tempered somewhat by the presence of the lake. Summers are warm
and humid, and the temperature is often below freezing in the winter. In
July the mean temperature ranges from 27° C to 18° C (80° F
to 64° F), in January from -1° C to -8° C (30° F to 18°
F)..."
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If you have comments or suggestions, please email me at
hinhchan@yahoo.com
