Australia and Oceania From the vast dry bushland of western Australia to the dense rain forest of the tiny Solomon Islands, Oceania also includes mountains, jungles, and swamplands.

Caucasus and the Middle East The home base for Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, the Middle East has been the fighting ground for major religious battles for centuries.

Central America While civil wars and natural disasters have plagued many nations in this region, the rich and vibrant cultures of its people endure.

Central Asia These diverse nations are bound by the harshness of their landscape and a shared history.

Eastern Asia Densely populated East Asia is home to a wide array of languages and religious beliefs.

Eastern Europe As tourism grows and more nations in east Europe join the European Union, there is great hope the region will flourish and prosper.

Northeastern Africa Explore Northeast Africa's stunning natural and human-made features from Mount Kilimanjaro to the Great Pyramids of Egypt.

Northwestern Africa More than 40 cultures thrive in northwest Africa, and a mix of French, English, Arabic, and tribal languages are spoken by its inhabitants.

South America From the majestic Andean mountain chain to the mighty Amazon River, South America has nearly unlimited potential.

Southern Africa Most of sub-Saharan Africa is savanna, home to the elephants, lions, and zebras for which the continent is renowned.

Southern Asia There is great religious diversity in this populous part of the world: India is 81 percent Hindu but also has 126 million Muslims.

U.S., Canada, and Mexico From Canada's subarctic climates, across the flat plains of the American Midwest, down to Mexico's mountainous jungle, get to know these North American countries.

West Indies The islands of the Caribbean Sea are home to a mixture of native, European, African, and Asian cultures.

Western Europe From the frozen tundra of northern Scandinavia to the sunny shores of Spain and Italy, western Europe offers extremes of temperature and culture.