In 1960, just shy of 5 million Americans called Florida home. Fast-forward to 2024 and Florida’s population is projected to reach 22.9 million in April, ranking the Sunshine State as the third-most populous state in the nation. There are many reasons why Florida natives choose to remain in their state and why Florida historically receives…
Despite its reputation as the Land of the Free, the United States isn’t at the forefront in the latest rankings for human freedom; 14 countries rank better than the U.S. in terms of personal, civil, and economic freedoms. The human freedom index is a way of quantifying the civil, economic, and personal freedoms within a…
Every country has its quirks, and Canada is no exception. From rules about witchcraft to tree climbing, the Great White North seems to have found all sorts of things it would rather not permit. Of course, Canada isn’t alone in this. Almost every nation has at least a few laws that don’t make sense; most…
The majority of us bring the usual suspects on planes—laptops, books, snacks, maybe a jacket for the air conditioning. But there are some bold individuals who show up with truly bizarre carry-on items. From live animals to entire kitchens, the world of strange airport luggage is apparently abundant. Pets Galore It’s not surprising that some…
Nearly half the U.S. population held valid passports in 2023. That’s an over 22-fold jump from 1989, when only 7.3 million valid passports were in circulation, equating to a 0.45 increase per capita after accounting for population changes. That said, according to data, residents in some states appear more interested in or able to travel…
Despite their best efforts, airlines can’t always reunite travelers with their lost luggage. What often happens next is a process many travelers wouldn’t have foreseen. Spoiler alert: If you’ve lost luggage in the past, you might be able to find it in Scottsboro, Alabama. Mishandled Bags According to a U.S. Department of Transportation report, major…
I was a Florida transplant from New York, and now I’m a former Florida resident. While my departure from the Sunshine State had little to do with Florida itself, my time there gave me firsthand experience of why people chose to leave. Here are some of the top reasons Florida residents are saying goodbye to…
Summer is essentially over, and that’s good news if you’re looking to visit a beach this fall. Few people enjoy extra busy beaches, even if there’s a good reason why tourists flock to them. Researchers with vacation rental company Florida Panhandle discovered the most crowded beaches in the United States. Many of the beaches on…
Regardless of where you stand on what’s causing global sea levels to rise, it’s undeniable that our coastlines are getting smaller. A study using data from the European Commission suggests that by 2100, we could lose nearly half of the world’s sandy beaches to rising sea levels. That said, not all coastlines are shrinking at…
In 1974, tipping was a feel-good gesture. Fast forward to 2024, and many Americans feel pressured to leave higher tips than ever before for services that have already become pricier due to inflation. Americans know they pay high tips. But how do our tipping practices compare to other countries in the world? Hawaiian Islands crunched…
