Dammam, the capital of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, stands as a vibrant coastal city overlooking the tranquil waters of the Arabian Gulf. Once a modest fishing village, it has transformed into a major commercial and industrial hub, central to the Kingdom’s oil industry and maritime trade.

M’Hamid El Ghizlane sits deep in southeastern Morocco’s Sahara, where the paved road ends and endless sands begin. Travelers often arrive from Zagora, taking in the wide palm groves fed by ancient irrigation channels that show how people have sustained life here for centuries. At sunrise and sunset, the dunes glow with waves of gold and copper, offering unforgettable views few places on earth can match.

Busselton is a relaxed coastal town in Western Australia, set along the calm, sheltered waters of Geographe Bay.

Mgarr is a rural village in northwestern Malta, surrounded by some of the island’s most extensive areas of farmland and open countryside. Its name is associated with a sheltered place or landing area, reflecting Malta’s long relationship with agriculture and rural settlement. The village is centered on the large parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, whose distinctive dome dominates the surrounding landscape.

Wichita combines a substantial aviation industry with museums, historic districts, riverfront parks, and a diverse urban population, while the surrounding landscape remains largely agricultural.