Gloucester is a coastal city on Cape Ann in northeastern Massachusetts, surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Gloucester Harbor, and the Gulf of Maine. Its rocky shoreline, islands, working waterfront, and long fishing tradition have shaped the city’s identity. Gloucester Harbor remains active with commercial fishing vessels, while the downtown area contains shops, restaurants, galleries, and historic buildings.

Zeeland is a southwestern province of the Netherlands shaped by its position between the North Sea and the Scheldt estuary. Much of the region consists of islands, peninsulas, polders, dikes, dunes, and tidal waterways, with towns such as Middelburg, Zierikzee, Veere, and Goes providing historic centers within the wider landscape. Zeeland has about 650 kilometers of coastline, and its relationship with water influences settlement, agriculture, transport, and daily life.

Shenzhen, a dynamic metropolis in southern China, offers a unique blend of modernity and innovation. As a global technology hub, the city is renowned for its sleek skyscrapers and cutting-edge infrastructure. A visit to the Shenzhen Civic Center showcases the city's ambitious architecture, with its impressive glass buildings and futuristic design. The Shenzhen Museum, located nearby, provides a deep dive into the city's rapid development from a fishing village to a high-tech powerhouse.

King Salmon is a small community in southwest Alaska on the Alaska Peninsula, located along the Naknek River near the shores of Naknek Lake. It serves as a regional transportation and service center for the Bristol Bay area and as an important base for visitors traveling into the surrounding wilderness. The community is surrounded by tundra, wetlands, lakes, rivers, and low volcanic hills rather than tall mountains.

Kardamyli is a coastal town in the Mani Peninsula of southern Greece, located between the Taygetus Mountains and the Messenian Gulf. Stone houses, olive groves, and narrow streets define much of the settlement, while the surrounding landscape combines steep hills with clear coastal waters.