Our beautiful planet is full of incredible natural wonders. It's quite amazing how many unique places there are that you wouldn't believe are real. It's clear that many breathtaking scenic movie scenes take a huge influence from real places here on earth. That's why we have compiled a list of 20 of the most magnificent natural wonders of the world, to help you discover someplace new and get the most out of your travels!
1. The Northern Lights, Various Countries
Catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. It's believed to be caused by electrically charged particles from the sun smashing into particles in the Earth's atmosphere, resulting in an amazing natural light show in the sky.
Photo by simon sun on Unsplash
2. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Check out the world's largest coral reef system containing over 2,900 individual reefs. The brightly colored underwater ecosystem is home to numerous plant and fish species, earning it one of the natural wonders of the world.
Photo by Giorgia Doglioni on Unsplash
3. Mount Everest, Nepal/Tibet
Witness the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, with a towering summit 29,031 feet above sea level. It’s a difficult trek, but if you make it to the top you will be rewarded with some of the most incredible views in the world.
Photo by Parth Savani on Unsplash
4. Amazon Rainforest, South America
Get a close up view of the Amazon Rainforest, often referred to as the "Earth's Lungs" due to the mass amounts of oxygen it produces. It's home to countless undiscovered animal and plant species, and is relatively untouched my man.
Photo by lubasi on Wikimedia Commons
5. Grand Canyon, USA
Visit the Grand Canyon, a mind-blowingly large gorge. It was carved through millions of years of tectonic plate shifting that allowed for the Colorado river to grind it away over time.
Photo by Gautier Salles on Unsplash
6. Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe
Catch some views of Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world. Sometimes referred to as "The Smoke that Thunders," the force of the falling water creates a mist, that makes the surrounding area feel like you’re on another planet.
Photo by Chris Boland on Unsplash
7. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Step onto the world's largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. During the rainy season, the ground reflects the sky, and makes it feel like your standing on clouds.
Photo by Christopher Crouzet on Wikimedia Commons
8. Mariana Trench, Pacific Ocean
Take one of the limited tours to the deepest part of the world's oceans, the Mariana Trench. Its extreme pressure, low temperature, and absence of light, has allowed for a unique ecosystem with aquatic life not found anywhere else.
Photo by D. Shale on Wikimedia Commons
9. The Dead Sea, Jordan/Israel
Come to the Dead Sea and float effortlessly in one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth. The high salt and mineral content are believed to offer healing properties, just be careful if you dunk your head underwater.
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
10. Bioluminescent Bay, Puerto Rico
Witness a magical night on the beaches of Bioluminescent Bay. Due to bioluminescent microorganisms, when you move the water it glows under the night sky.
Photo by Johanna Brehmer on Wikimedia Commons
11. Antelope Canyon, USA
Check out Antelope Canyon in Arizona, it’s a windy slot canyon formed by erosion. The light shinning through the many narrow, undulating passageways creates breathtaking views.
Photo by Madhu Shesharam on Unsplash
12. The Great Blue Hole, Belize
Take a dive into the Great Blue Hole, a giant marine sinkhole. It's a popular scuba diving site with many unique fish species and stalactites. Nobody has ever made it to the bottom.
Photo by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on Wikimedia Commons
13. The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan
Stare in awe at the Door to Hell, it’s a natural gas field that's been burning continuously since it was lit by Soviet engineers in 1971. Its constant burning presence in the desert of Turkmenistan is a creepy sight.
Photo by Tormod Sandtorv on Wikimedia Commons
14. Mexican Crystal Cave, Mexico
Get captivated by the Giant Crystal Cave in Mexico. It contains some of the largest natural crystals ever found anywhere on Earth!
Photo by Alexander Van Driessche on Wikimedia Commons
15. Volcanoes of Kamchatka, Russia
Check out the largest chain of volcanoes in the world in Kamchatka, Russia. It’s the most diverse and dense collection of volcanic activity and a constant reminder of the earth's relentless power.
16. Rainbow Mountains, Peru
Stare in awe at the Rainbow Mountains, in the Peruvian Andes. The mountains get their vibrant colors from mineral-rich soil being weathered over time.
Photo by Michael Busch on Unsplash
17. The Richat Structure, Mauritania
Catch a bird’s eye view of the Richat Structure. Sometime called the "Eye of the Sahara," it’s a circular natural collection of symmetric layers of rock.
Photo by NASA on Wikimedia Commons
18. Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland
Marvel at the Giant's Causeway, an area containing around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. Created as a result of an ancient volcanic eruption, it’s a unique destination unlike anything else.
Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash
19. Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
Get a close look at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand. The glowworms light up the cave ceiling, creating an incredible light show.
Photo by Donnie Ray Jones on Wikimedia Commons
20. Yosemite Valley, USA
Stand next to a giant sequoia tree in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. These are the biggest trees in the world towering over 200ft high and have a circumference of over 94ft on average!
