The next time your jet is soaring through the lower stratosphere, grab a window seat and take the opportunity to enjoy a short lesson in U.S. history, geology and geography.

Major flight paths across the United States offer the traveler a glimpse of killer volcanoes, impact craters, historically important rivers and mind-boggling manmade creations.

A new slide show on Bing Travel helps you identify these wonders from the air. Flying over Boston? You might catch a glimpse of the northern end of Cape Cod, where the Pilgrims first anchored the Mayflower in 1620. Flying from L.A. to New York? Perhaps the pilot will tip the wings to give you a better view of the Grand Canyon and its warm red glow, created by small amounts of iron oxides and other minerals in the rock below. Heading from New York to Dallas? You’ll have a shot at seeing the Mississippi River, which serves as a partial boundary for 10 states. The river experienced four “100-year floods” in the 20th century. When it isn’t covered by water, the Mississippi floodplain is ideal farmland. Look for patchwork quilts of cotton, rice and corn fields nearby.

Flying from L.A. to Seattle? Check out Mt. Rainier poking its head above the clouds. It may look like a giant vanilla ice-cream cone, but it’s one of 16 volcanoes worldwide to be designated “Decade Volcanoes,” which means they are worthy of study in light of their potential for death and destruction.

What landmarks have you enjoyed seeing from an airplane? Share your experiences with other travelers in the comments section.