There are a lot of beautiful places located on the 57 million square miles of land that covers the planet Earth today. These range from serene to surreal and sublime. Although it is impossible to list each and every one of them, here is a list of some of the places that showcase Mother Nature’s beautiful accomplishments. Keep in mind that these are only the top 10 and there are many others out there as well.
10. The Maldives
The Maldives is a heart-shaped island found in the Republic of the Maldives. This country covers more than 35,000 square miles in the Indian Ocean, just 250 miles southwest of India. While there are 1,190 coral islands here, only 200 of them are populated.
9. Salar de Uyuni
9. Salar de Uyuni
Salar de Uyuni is in southwestern Bolivia. It holds the record for the largest salt flats in the world. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there is a height deviation less than one meter, making it the flattest place on Earth.
8. Los Glaciares
8. Los Glaciares
Located in southwestern Argentina, near Chile’s border, you’ll find Los Glaciares National Park. It includes 2,807 square miles of rugged mountains, huge lakes, and plenty of ice too. In fact, the Patagonia ice field (the largest ice mantle located outside of Antarctica) covers half of it.
7. Pamukkale
7. Pamukkale
Pamukkale is covered by 17 hot-water springs. Located in southwestern Turkey, these have taken care of folks for thousands of years now.
6. Neuschwanstein Castle
6. Neuschwanstein Castle
Located on the top of a hill in the Bavarian Alps is the Neuschwanstein Castle, which people call a fairytale castle. Although it never housed a royal family, it did serve as the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Disneyland.
5. Giant Forest
5. Giant Forest
Nestled into the Sequoia National Park in California, you’ll find the Giant Forest. There you find over 8,000 Sequioa trees that remind you of the Jurasssic period. In fact, 5 of the 10 largest trees alive today are found here. General Sherman is also found here. It’s not only the world’s largest living tree, but also the largest organism, by volume, that’s alive today.
4. Northern lights, Norway
4. Northern lights, Norway
The Northern Lights are an experience you can have from anywhere, but in Norway makes it even more special thanks to the country’s fjords, glaciers, islands, moose, polar bears, and whales.
3. Meteora
3. Meteora
Meteora (meaning “middle of the sky”, “suspended in the air” or “in the heavens above”) is where 24 of the Greek Orthodox monasteries were originally located. Until they built stairs in the 1920’s, they used nets and ladders to climb up there and deliver supplies. Unfortunately, only 6 of the original 24 now remain.
2. Cappadocia
2. Cappadocia
The Cappadocia region of Turkey (a.k.a. Goreme National Park) is surreal. The volcanic landscape combined with the force of erosion has created ridges, valleys and towers that offer a rich backdrop for some fascinating human history. Within many of these pinnacles are caves that house both dwellings and churches.
1. Victoria Falls
1. Victoria Falls
The Victoria Falls separate Zambia and Zimbabwe. Its indigenous name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, means “the smoke that thunders” because it chronically forms rainbows over the top of the waterfalls there. So, not only does this area have the world’s largest sheet of falling water, but it has breathtaking views of these rainbows too.
