Contents
- 27
- 26Parícutin, Mexico
- 25Yosemite, USA
- 24Grand Canyon, USA
- 23Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
- 22Aurora Borealis, Iceland
- 21Zhangjiajie, China
- 20Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- 19The Sahara, Africa
- 18Mount Everest, Nepal/China
- 17Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- 16The Grand Prismatic Spring, USA
- 15Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
- 14The Maldives
- 13Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
- 12Komodo Island, Indonesia
- 11Uluru, Australia
- 10Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
- 9Icebergs, Greenland
- 8Niagara Falls, Canada
- 7Peyto Lake, Canada
- 6Lake Hillier, Australia
- 5Pamukkale, Turkey
- 4Mud Volcanoes, Azerbaijan
- 3Marble Caves, South America
- 2El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico
- 1Caño Cristales, Colombia
27
There are numerous man-made wonders that are more than impressive. Ah, but they’re even more natural wonders. Here are 27 you should see before you die.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe/Zambia
Victoria Falls is twice as deep and twice as wide as Niagara Falls. It’s also the world’s largest waterfall. The roar of the falls’ rushing water is heard 24 miles away.
26Parícutin, Mexico
Located in Michoacán, Parícutin is one of the planet’s youngest volcanoes. In 1943 it buried two villages in ash. It reached its peak height of 7,480 feet in 1952 when it stopped erupting.
25Yosemite, USA
Clifornia’s Yosemite is one of America’s most famous national parks. It’s highlighted by its rushing waterfalls, outstanding cliffs, and remarkable sunsets. The park’s El Capitan was included in the Oscar-winning 2018 documentary “Free Solo.”
24Grand Canyon, USA
Arizona’s Grand Canyon is a huge geologic wonder. Carved out by glaciers many years ago, the rocks change color as the sun moves throughout the day. Hike it rim to rim or go rafting.
23Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni found in Potosi is the earth’s biggest salt flat. It covers 4,086 square miles. Interestingly, this area becomes a beautiful, unique reflective pool when the neighboring lakes overflow.
22Aurora Borealis, Iceland
The Aurora Borealis, a.k.a. the Northern Lights is an incredible natural light show close to the Arctic Circle. This event is caused by the collision of charged atmospheric particles with gaseous particles.
21Zhangjiajie, China
Zhangjiajie is well-known for its deep caves, perilous-appearing bridges, and hulking peaks. It’s the country’s first official national forest park. The mountains here inspired the fictitious Hallelujah Mountains seen in the hit movie “Avatar.”
20Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Here you’ll discover the world’s largest coral reef system. It can be seen from space and is longer than the famous Great Wall of China. It’s also the world’s best place to scuba dive.
19The Sahara, Africa
The Sahara is the world’s largest desert. It stretches over the borders of 11 countries and covers 3.5 million square miles. Its vastness, rolling red sands, and dunes make it unique.
18Mount Everest, Nepal/China
Mount Everest is the world’s tallest summit. It rises 29,035 feet high above the China-Nepal border. Very few mountain climbers have made it to the top of this huge Himalayan peak.
17Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
This is the place that inspired Charles Darwin’s famous theory of evolution. Highlights of these islands include beautiful surroundings and a surprising variety of wildlife. Inhabitants include finches, iguanas, sea lions, and even penguins.
16The Grand Prismatic Spring, USA
This spring might not be the most popular stop at Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park, but it’s memorable. It’s bigger than a football field and features stunning rings of yellow, orange, and green.
15Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
Located in County Clare, these grass-covered cliffs are one of the country’s most popular tourist stops. These 700-foot bluffs overlook the Atlantic Ocean and stretch for five miles. They’re a memorable sight.
14The Maldives
Situated in South Asia, this popular tropical country consists of 26 coral-based islands or atolls. It includes crystal-clear water and white-sand beaches. Its coral reefs are host to an amazing array of underwater life.
13Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Ha Long Bay is found in the Gulf of Tonkin. The bay features over 1500 huge, generally undisturbed limestone islets and islands rife with greenery. It’s popular with scuba divers, kayakers, and hikers.
12Komodo Island, Indonesia
Known for its bear and giant lizards, this island offers visitors more than that. Here you’ll also find beautiful beaches with teal water and pink sand, tropical forests and world-famous diving sites as well.
11Uluru, Australia
Uluru, a.k.a. Ayers Rock is found in an extremely remote part of the Australian Outback in the Northern Territory. It’s an incredible rock formation that reflects the hues of sunrise and sunset.
10Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
Giant’s Causeway was caused by volcanic activity 50+ million years ago. It includes tens of thousands of cylindrical, basalt rocks that stretch into the water between Scotland and Northern Ireland.
9Icebergs, Greenland
Icebergs here are a common sight to residents. Despite what you may have heard about climate change, there are still enough icebergs in the local waters of Greenland to impress any visitor.
8Niagara Falls, Canada
This is the world’s most famous waterfall. Niagara Falls has three individual parts. Bridal Veil Falls and American Falls are in New York. Horseshoe Falls, is ensconced across the border in Canada.
7Peyto Lake, Canada
This is a glacier-fed lake located in lovely Banff National Park. It is most famous for its beauteous blue hue. Surrounded by the picturesque Canadian Rockies, it’s truly a must-see.
6Lake Hillier, Australia
Located in Goldfields-Esperance, only a few feet from the Indian Ocean, Lake Hillier is famous for its bubblegum pink water. The unique color is the result of bacteria secreting red pigments.
5Pamukkale, Turkey
Pamukkale is in Denizli. The name Pamukkale is Turkish for “Cotton Castle.” Pamukkale features a fascinating varied landscape of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls, and interesting travertine terraces complete with thermal waters.
4Mud Volcanoes, Azerbaijan
Located in Gobustan National Park in Gobustan, in central Azerbaijan, these natural mud volcanoes gurgle and bubble due to a blend of sludge and methane. Sometimes the methane builds up until these cones actually erupt with flames.
3Marble Caves, South America
Deep in the heart of Patagonia, the Marble Caves have unique streaked, pastel-tinged walls. The lake water here is ice blue. These caves are only accessible via boat. The waves are the world’s most isolated natural wonders.
2El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico
El Yunque National Forest is reportedly one of America’s “most ecologically diverse forests.” This 29,000-acre forest is home to frogs, lizards, parrots, and snakes and is the nation’s sole tropical rainforest.
1Caño Cristales, Colombia
Situated in Serranía de la Macarena, Caño Cristales is special. Between seasons, the Macarenia clavigera plant blooms under the water, turning it red. Visible green and yellow sand beneath the water make it even more colorful.