Planet Earth is rich in places that are unique in their beauty and biological diversity, each of which deserves special attention. Only by making a compromise, you can name several locations that are rightfully considered natural wonders of the world.
1. Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, China
Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, China Photo: Han Lei / Wikimedia Commons
Not far from the Chinese city of Zhangye, there is Danxia Geopark, the unique landscape of which was formed by rocks of red sandstone under the influence of various natural processes.
Today, these picturesque hills are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are home to several thousand different species of vascular plants, insects and vertebrates.
2. Lake Hillier, Australia
Lake Hillier, Australia Photo: Kurioziteti123 / Wikimedia Commons
Painted in a pale pink color, the surface of Lake Hillier, from above, looks like icing on an oblong cake. The lake is surrounded by white salt and dark green eucalyptus trees. And very close, behind the white dunes and a narrow strip of coastal sand, is the Indian Ocean.
For a long time, Hillier's unusual color remained a mystery to scientists. Only in 2016 it turned out that certain types of algae and living organisms live in the waters of the lake, which give them this unusual color.
3. Mendenhall Ice Caves, USA
Mendenhall Ice Caves, USA Photo: Spenceregan7 / Wikimedia Commons
The Mendenhall Ice Caves are located on the eponymous glacier in downtown Juneau in southeastern Alaska. They were formed as a result of the movement of melt water, which created an ice cavity at a depth of 120 m.
Thousands of tourists come to visit these caves illuminated by turquoise light every year. But going inside, we must not forget about safety. After all, huge blocks of ice are in constant motion and continue to melt, which at any moment can cause a collapse of the cave walls.
4. Halong Bay, Vietnam
Halong Bay, Vietnam Photo: Arianos / Wikimedia Commons
Halong is located in the northeastern part of Vietnam and translates as "dragon descending into the sea." In the bay there are thousands of islands covered with dense vegetation, many limestone cliffs, caves and cliffs, which create a panorama of unique beauty.
In 1994, this popular tourist destination was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5. Lake Uyuni, Bolivia
Lake Uyuni, Bolivia Photo: Silvio Rossi / Wikimedia Commons
Uyuni is often referred to as a unique natural phenomenon. During the rainy season, precipitation forms a thin layer of water on the surface of a dried salt lake, which turns into a huge natural mirror of the Earth. Being here it seems that you are walking in the sky, and not on the ground.
6. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Galapagos Islands Photo: Murray Foubister / Wikimedia Commons
The Galapagos Islands are small volcanic islands in the eastern Pacific Ocean that belong to Ecuador. The archipelago is famous for its unique ecosystem, which inspired Charles Darwin to create the theory of natural selection.
For a more complete acquaintance with this place, you can go on a boat trip, which will discover amazing views of wildlife and the most beautiful parts of the islands.
7. Aogashima Island, Japan
Aogashima Island, Japan Photo: Soica2001 (talk) / Wikimedia Commons
The southernmost island of the Izu archipelago is located about 350 kilometers from Tokyo. It is still an active volcano, in the center of which is a small village.
About two hundred people live here permanently, who are engaged in agriculture and fishing. Although many villagers have been victims of earthquakes and lava flows in the past few hundred years, people do not want to leave this small island.
8. Amazon and Amazonian jungle
Amazon River Photo: lubasi / Wikimedia Commons
The Amazon is the largest river in the world, with a total flow of about one-fifth of the world's total water flow. Its waters are home to over 3000 species of fish and new ones are constantly being discovered. And the Amazon forests, being the largest tropical forests in the world, have a unique biodiversity of plants and animals.
9. Grand Canyon, USA
Grand Canyon, USA Photo: dnak / Wikimedia Commons
The Grand Canyon is located in northern Arizona and is one of the most famous landmarks in the United States. It does not belong to the deepest or longest canyons in the world, but its incredible size, color and complexity of the relief create a panorama unparalleled in the world.
10. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Great Barrier Reef, Australia Photo: Ryan McMinds / Wikimedia Commons
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world with a total area of over 300,000 square kilometers. It is the only reef in the world that can be seen from space and is the largest coherent system of living organisms.
