Western Sahara, (formerly Spanish Sahara), northwestern Africa, former overseas province of Spain partitioned in 1976 between Mauritania and Morocco, and since 1979, occupied entirely by Morocco.

Torremolinos, on Spain’s Costa del Sol, has transformed from a small fishing village into one of the region’s most vibrant seaside towns. Just a short drive from Málaga, it became famous in the mid-20th century as one of the first international beach destinations in Spain, attracting artists, celebrities, and travelers in search of sun and sea.

Along the banks of the Moselle River, Cochem is a charming village known for Reichsburg castle as well as its old town, with its half-timbered houses.

Khiva, located in western Uzbekistan’s Khorezm region, is one of Central Asia’s most evocative Silk Road cities. Its walled inner city, known as the Itchan Kala, has preserved a remarkable collection of mud-brick architecture, minarets, mosques, and madrasahs that reflect centuries of Islamic culture and trade. Khiva served as a thriving trading hub and political center, linking merchants and scholars across the desert routes of the region.

Florence is a coastal city in Oregon located where the Siuslaw River meets the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its dramatic coastal scenery, extensive sand dunes, and working waterfront.