1. My Journey Around the
World
Mackenzie King’s Journal

2. Day 1
United States

3. United States: Physical
Geography
Rocky Mountains
I want to visit the Rocky
Mountains because they are
a unique landform in the
United States. They
stretch more than 3,000
miles from western Canada
to New Mexico. In the
mountains, I want to go
fishing, camping, and
hiking. Also, it snows on
the mountain so I want to
go skiing and possibly
snowboarding! It would be

4. United States: Human
Geography
July 4th
July 4th is a holiday
celebrated in the United
States. July 4, 1776 is the
day the United States of
America declared their
independence from Great
Britain. Americans dress up
and decorate with colors-
red, white, and blue. During
the day, citizens participate
in grand parades. At night,
they light up massive,
beautiful fireworks and host
huge parties. I would love to

5. United States: Issue
Terrorism
One major issue facing
the U.S. is the fight against
terrorism. On September 11,
2001, the worst terrorist
attacks occurred in New York.
Two hijacked planes crashed
into the World Trade Center.
About 3,000 lives were lost.
After the attack, U.S troops
were sent to Afghanistan and
Iraq to try and stop terrorist
efforts. This launched a war
against terrorism. They have
since eliminated powerful
terrorist leaders, but many

6. Day 10
Canada

7. Canada: Physical Geography
Northern Lights
The Northern Lights
are an astronomical
phenomenon; Curtains of
colored lights sometimes
visible throughout the
night sky. The height of
the aurora can reach to
1000 feet! Although,
most only are 80-120
kilometers tall. I can’t
wait to visit the
Northern Lights because
it is a once in a lifetime
opportunity. I can’t wait
to see all of the unique
color in the sky!

8. Canada: Human Geography
Hockey Game
While on my trip to
Canada, I want to see an
ice hockey game. Hockey is
a very popular sport in
Canada and it would be fun
to immerse myself in its
culture. There are about
18 hockey teams. Canada’s
national hockey team has
won 14 Olympic medals
since 1920. Watching the
hockey game live is so
much better then watching

9. Canada: Issue
Acid Rain
Factories, cars, and trucks
release harmful chemicals that
pollute the air. The more
factories being built, air
quality is decreased and acid
rain becomes a concern. When
the chemicals reach the water
in the clouds, it forms acid
rain. High amounts of acid rain
can ruin trees, pollute lakes,
and kill fish. Canada can help
reduce acid rain by not having
so many factories or have a

10. Day 18
Europe

11. Europe: Physical Geography
Vatican City
The Vatican City is
the smallest recognized
independent state. It is in
Rome, Italy. The Pope is
the Head of State and
Government. The Vatican
is the seat of government
of the Roman Catholic
Church. I want to visit
Vatican City because I am
Catholic and it would be a
great experience. Also, I
want to go tour the inside
of the Vatican.

12. Europe: Human Geography
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is
located in Paris, France. It
is an icon of France and one
of the most recognizable
structures in the world. The
tower stands 1,063 feet
tall. You can walk the stairs
to the first and second
levels. On the first and
second levels, it has very
fancy, expensive(but
delicious) restaurants. Then,
you take an elevator to the
top! I can’t wait to reach the
top of the Eiffel Tower!

13. Europe: Issue
Cold War Separates
East and West
Countries
After World War ll,
Eastern and western
European countries had
different philosophies.
Communist Russia and its
allies separate themselves
from Western countries.
This divide is called the
“Iron Curtain.” Germany is
split into two countries; East
Germany is communist and
West Germany is a
democracy. Also, the capital,

14. Day 21
Russia and the
Former USSR

15. Russia and the former USSR : Physical
Geography
Moscow
Moscow is the capital
of Russia. Its population
is just over eleven
million. Moscow has the
largest community of
billionaires in the world!
I want to visit the Red
Square because that is
where Saint Basil’s
Cathedral is located. It
is open as a museum and
regular church services
are held. It is known

16. Russia and the former USSR: Human
Geography
The State Hermitage
Museum
Located in Saint
Petersburg, this museum
contains over three million
works of art and artifacts.
It is one of the largest and
oldest museums in the
world. It contains paintings,
graphic works, sculptures,
archaeological finds, and
more. I want to visit this
museum because I love
looking at artwork and in
this museum there is a lot
of it! Also, I would like to
go to the Winter Palace. It
is the biggest building in

17. Russia and the former USSR:
Issue
Social Cohesion
More than 50% of
professionals plan to leave
Russia(in certain areas). This
reduces the ability to support
economic growth. Also, Russia
will have a difficult time
attracting foreigners, which
could also reduce the
development of the country
and its economy. They have
received their wealth from
being a popular tourist
attraction. This has created a
barrier to fully develop

18. Day 30
East Asia

19. East Asia: Physical Geography
Beijing, China
Beijing is the capital of
China and one of the most
populous cities. It has more
than 20 million people! It has
been the political center for
seven centuries and is the
center of art and culture in
China. In Beijing, I would love
to visit the Forbidden City. It
is an enormous palace that was
once home to the emperors of
the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Gardens surround the palace.
One in particular, Beihai Park

20. East Asia: Human Geography
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is
located in Beijing, China. It
was built to protect the
Chinese Empire from nomadic
groups and military from
other countries. It is the
largest manmade feature in
the world. The length of the
Ming Dynasty wall is 5,500
miles. The full length of the
wall is undetermined because
in some remote places where
the wall is located, they can
not have an investigation. I
want to visit the Great Wall

21. East Asia: Issue
China’s One Child Policy
China’s one child policy was
established in 1979 to limit
China’s population growth. The
rule doesn’t apply to those living
in rural areas, but rather the
Han Chinese living in urban
areas. This policy is said to
have reduced the population by
300 million people over the past
twenty years. Female infants
are sometimes neglected or
abandoned. In 2007,
reportedly, one region in China
was forcing pregnant women to
have abortions or pay heavy

22. Day 47
Australia

23. Australia: Physical Geography
Sydney
Sydney is the capital of
Australia. It is located in
New South Wales. People
that live there are called
Sydneysiders! In Sydney, I
want to visit the Sydney
Opera House. It is one of
the most creative and
busiest performing arts
centers in the world. It
holds about 1600
performances a year! All
ranging from ballets, to
musicals, to operas,
comedy, and more. It is a

24. Australia: Human Geography
Manly Beach
Manly Beach is a very
unique beach; for learners and
experienced swimmers. The
south end of the beach is for
learners or beginners at
swimming. It has sandbars
and easy, relaxing waves. But
at the north end, waves reach
up to 6 feet! You need a life
jacket or large board to be
able to withstand those waves!
It is also a great surf site! I
want to visit this beach
because it seems very relaxing

25. Australia: Issue
Conservation
Australia is one of the
most biodiverse countries in
the world. The destruction
of animal’s habitats by
human activities are a
major reason for
biodiversity loss. Australia
is the only western country
to have a large rainforest
still intact, so the
importance of preserving it
is very high. There are
some environmental and
advocate groups that are
working towards saving the
rainforest; I think there
needs to be more groups
and they need to do a

26. Day 55
The Caribbean

27. Caribbean: Physical Geography
The Bahamas
The Bahamas consists of
about 700 total islands, but
only about 30 are inhabited.
The Bahamas has a lot of
things to do such as
snorkeling, parasailing, and it
has beautiful beaches. When
I go to the Bahamas, I want
to go snorkeling and
parasailing. I have never
been snorkeling before; the
water in the Bahamas is
crystal clear so I will be
able to see a lot of cool
fish! Also, I want to go
parasailing because I want to

28. Caribbean: Human Geography
Seven Sisters Falls
This waterfall is located in
Grenada. You take a 45
minute hike with a tour guide
to the waterfall. While on the
hike, you get to go through a
private plantation with cocoa,
nutmeg, banana trees and
learn about how they are
grown. Once you get to the
waterfall, you can relax in the
water! Finally, a waterfall you
can swim in! The water is cool
so it is very refreshing! I
want to visit the Seven
Sisters Falls because I want
to take a hike through the
rainforest, and then why not

29. Caribbean: Issue
Coral Reefs
The Caribbean holds
approximately 7% of the
world’s shallow coral reefs.
The people in the Caribbean
depend on the reefs for
food, jobs, and protection of
the coastlines. Construction,
urban run-off, and tourist
development threatens the
coral reefs. Also, global
warming and climate change
are effected because the
temperature of the water is
increasing and acidification is
rising. That means that sea

30. Day 66
Africa

31. Africa: Physical Geography
Victoria Falls
Located in
Zimbabwe, Victoria
Falls is said to be one
of the Seven Natural
Wonders of the
World. It is 360 feet
tall and over a mile
wide. It is the largest
waterfall in the world!
By natives, it is called
the smoke that
thunders. I want to
visit the pools in
Victoria Falls and get

32. Africa: Human Geography
Masai
If it is possible, I would
love to spend the day with
the Masai people and learn
about their culture and way
of life. They are herders,
farmers, and hunters that
have kept traditional
African ways of life. Their
practice of life is simple;
they still practice it to this
day. They live in the
savannah grasslands. One
example of traditional life is
that when someone dies,
there is no ceremony. The
dead are left out for
scavengers. It would be

33. Africa: Issue
AIDS/HIV
AIDS has become a serious
issue in Africa. It has turned
into a pandemic, a serious
outbreak of a disease. There
are 40 million cases of AIDS
around the world, and 26
million of those are in Africa!
Out of all the deaths from
AIDS, Africa counts for 2.4
out of 3 million. South Africa
has the most people with
AIDS, with 5.3 million cases
and counting. I would like to
help with the AIDS outbreak
by getting involved in the
organizations. The

34. Day 74
Middle East

35. Middle East: Physical Geography
Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is a salt
lake in Israel. It is so salty
that only bacteria can live in
it! It is also the lowest place
on Earth! Since it is salty,
you can float without even
trying! Also, the bottom is
muddy, but the mud is said
to be cleansing and great
for your skin. It also has
some healing properties. I
want to visit the Dead Sea
so I can float and read a
book!

36. Middle East: Human Geography
Islam
Islam is the primary
religion in the Middle East.
Christianity and Judaism
are also practiced but
Islam is the most followed.
About 20% of the world’s
Muslim’s live in the Middle
East. There holy book is
the Qur'an. Islam has the
five pillars; Faith, Prayer,
Charity, Fasting, and
Pilgrimage to Mecca. I
would love to learn more
about this religion and its
beliefs. While in the

37. Middle East: Issue
Stateless Nation
Palestinians were kicked
out of there country,
Palestine, to create a safe
haven for Jews. The new
country would be called
Israel. Now, Palestinians
are part of a stateless
nation. They do not have a
country to call their own.
However, some do claim
Israel as theirs and
occupy places in Israel like
the Gaza strip and West
Bank. They are fighting
for their freedom and for
their own country. This is
the main conflict in the

38. Day 80
Latin America

39. Latin America: Physical
GeographyAndes Mountains
The Andes Mountain are
the longest and one of the
highest mountain ranges in
the world! They stretch for
4,500 miles! In the Andes, I
want to visit the Incan
empire, Machu Picchu. It
provides a glimpse of the
lives of the Incas. I would
love to see how they lived
back then. I would also like
to visit Los Glaciares
National Park. It is a
Patagonian Ice Field that is
located in the southern part
of the Andes. It has two
hundred glaciers and is
considered the largest ice
field outside of Antarctica.

40. Latin America: Human
Geography
Carnival
I want to go to the
Carnival in Brazil. It is a
festival held from Friday
until the Tuesday before
Ash Wednesday. Rio de
Janeiro hosts parades with
huge floats. People dance
to the samba! Also, people
dress up in colorful and
extravagant costumes and
masks and walk through
the streets. I want to go
to this festival because it
is one of the most famous
in the world! I get to be
apart of Brazil’s unique
culture. I have never been

41. Latin America: Issue
Drug Trade
Latin America is responsible
for most of the production and
export of illegal drugs to the
United States. Drug use is low
in Latin America but drug
trafficking has increased.
Ninety percent of cocaine and
eighty percent of meth enter
the United States from Mexico.
Drug cartels generate up to $39
billion a year! There are too
many cartels to be able to
eliminate them completely. As a
result of the drug trafficking,
Latin America has one of the
greatest crime rates. This drug
war has taken 50,000 lives.
Ciudad Juarez is the deadliest
city due to drug wars. It is
right on the border of Mexico
and the U.S. so it is scary