Edmonton , General info:
8/10

Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta, located on the North Saskatchewan River in the central region of the province. It is an area with some of the most fertile farmland on the prairies. It is the second largest city in Alberta after Calgary, and is the hub of Canada's sixth largest census metropolitan area, with a metropolitan population of 1,034,945, making it the northernmost North American city with a metropolitan population over one million. At 684 square kilometres (264 sq mi), the City of Edmonton covers an area larger than Chicago, Philadelphia, Toronto or Montreal. Edmonton has one of the lowest population densities in North America, about 9.4% that of New York City. A resident of Edmonton is known as an Edmontonian.

Edmonton , Cheap stuff:
8/10

Edmonton serves as the northern anchor of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor (one of four regions that together comprise 50% of Canada's population) and is a staging point for large-scale oil sands projects occurring in northern Alberta and large-scale diamond mining operations in the Northwest Territories.

Edmonton , Different stuff:
10/10

Edmonton is the most northerly major city in North America. At the summer solstice, Edmonton receives seventeen hours and six minutes of daylight, with twilight extending well beyond that. Edmonton receives 2,289 hours of sunshine per year, and is one of Canada's sunniest cities.

Edmonton , Don't miss:
9/10

The Edmonton International Fringe Festival, which takes place in mid-August, is the largest Fringe Theatre Festival in North America, and second only to the Edinburgh Fringe festival in the world. More than 1500 performers take part in the festival each year. In 2006, over 77,000 tickets were sold to indoor shows, and over 500,000 people visited the festival site.

San Salvador , General info:
7/10

San Salvador is the capital city of the nation of El Salvador. The valley where it is located was earlier known as "El Valle de las Hamacas" because of its high seismic activity. San Salvador is the second largest city in Central America.

San Salvador is a powerhouse - the cultural and cosmopolitan heart of the country.it abounds with museums, cultural centers, bars and cafes. Six-lane avenues and glittery malls keep the city buzzing. What San Salvador lacks in colonial grandeur, it makes up for in class and personality. Wander through the Teatro Nacional, with its red velvet opulence and sensuous mural, or around one of the city's five markets; the interesting Mercado Ex-Cuartel has handicrafts, hand-woven textiles and ceramics.

San Salvador , Cheap stuff:
8/10

San Salvador is pretty cheap city, everything is affordable. Hotels and restaurants are cheap.

San Salvador , Different stuff:
10/10

Pollution remains one of the city's biggest problems. Located in a valley, San Salvador is a perfect pollution trap. Fueling this, the city struggles with an increasing traffic problem. New highways and arterial roads offer some relief. According to a study by the United Nations, El Salvador was ranked as the second worst polluter of carbon dioxide emissions in Central America.

San Salvador , Don't miss:
9/10

The national fiesta patronal (patron saint festival) is celebrated during the first week of August. Schools, government offices and most businesses close (as they do for all public holidays), and everyone goes on vacation. Religious processions, street fairs and colorful parades are held throughout the country, the celebration in San Salvador is the largest and the best.

San Salvador , Food:
10/10

The restaurant scene in San Salvador is influenced by many different cultures. food options include Italian, Korean, Japanese, French, Chilean, American, Peruvian, Mexican, Spanish, Middle Eastern, German, Chinese, Argentinian and others. Local food options include Tipicos Margot where one can purchase the famous Salvadoran Pupusas. Perhaps the biggest indictment against the quality of the San Salvador restaurant scene however is the sheer number of chain restaurants.

San Salvador , Hotels:
8/10

There are four main zones for accommodations: the city center (cheap, but a bit sketchy at night), Parque Cuscatlán (reasonably priced and much safer), Boulevard de los Héroes (the only place for hostels) and the area around Colonía Escalón and Zona Rosa (top-end, high-rise).

San Salvador , Safety:
9/10

San Salvador has had a history of violence. San Salvador was considered the most dangerous city in the world in 1992. Since the end of the civil war in 1992 San Salvador has not seen a reduction in crime rates. Today San Salvador, and El Salvador in general, experience some of the highest homicide rates in the world, it is also considered an epicenter of the gang crisis. Don't walk on streets that look abandoned and dark. Use only licensed taxis or rent a car. Walk in tourist areas.