Gijón sits on Spain’s northern coast in Asturias, shaped by its long relationship with the Cantabrian Sea. From its origins as a Roman settlement to its later growth as an industrial and port city, Gijón has balanced maritime work with civic life.

Porto Santo Stefano features two main ports which serve as gateways to the nearby Tuscan Archipelago. Visitors can enjoy the crystal-clear waters and pristine beaches, perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

Tampere is the third largest city in Finland with a population of 182,000. Tampere is also the heart of the Tampere Region which has a dynamic population of about 430,000. In the last few years the city's population has grown rapidly. Tampere is located 110 miles north of Helsinki, the capital.

Sapa sits high in Vietnam’s northwest mountains, shaped by French colonial planning and long-standing settlement by Hmong, Dao, and other ethnic communities.

On the Canadian border where Lake Huron and Lake Superior meet, a canal built in 1895 still is used to have boats bypass the rapids of the St. Mary's river.