People canoeing on water near small island (© Paul Chesley/National Geographic Creative)

Minnesota: A diverse state of 10,000 lakes

Minnesota offers fun for everyone: hiking, water sports and beautiful scenery. See some photos of the state, from out in the wild to the heart of the city.
Hikers crossing over rocks on Appalachian Trail (© Gregory Rec/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)

The Appalachian Trail, beloved by hikers, turns 80

The 3,500-kilometer Appalachian Trail calls more than 3 million hikers to the woods every year and has inspired scenic trails in other countries.
Road signs on a highway (© Alamy)

Travel the world without ever leaving this U.S. state

Where can you find China, Egypt, Poland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Mexico, Peru and Lebanon all in one state?
Beakers and equations (Shutterstock)

Innovation rankings: U.S. institutions are on top

Nine of the top 10 innovative institutions are in the U.S., according to the Nature Index, which assesses research quality and influence on inventions.
Colored map with icons showing landmarks (State Dept./Diane Woolverton)

Here’s a free poster with a map of U.S. products, places

The week of July 17 is “Made in America Week” at the White House. This free poster, available for printing, highlights U.S. products and landmarks.
Scenic view of Mount McKinley with a tour bus on road in the foreground (Design Pics Inc./Alamy)

Want to see America? Travel firms have packages for every budget.

Tourism is big business in the United States, and the 77 million visitors from other countries in 2016 are a major reason why.
Plane (Thinkstock)

How the new travel order works

President Trump's executive order pauses admission of foreign nationals from six countries to let the U.S. review the vetting process for visas.
Rock formation with waterfall lit by sun (© Ted Soqui/Corbis/Getty Images)

Fire on the mountain?

Despite what your eyes are telling you, it's not molten lava flowing from Yosemite National Park's Horsetail Fall in February.
Northeast U.S. map with pins in Washington and New York City (State Dept./Doug Thompson)

Insights of a Russian writer traveling in the U.S.

What can one learn about America through the lens of a Russian journalist? An award-winning Russian writer traveling in the U.S. tells us.