17 Most Incredible Natural Wonders on Earth
Deep forests, crystal-clear waters, breathtaking mountains, and unimaginable landscapes.
From East to West, from South to North, our planet never ceases to amaze.
Discover some of the most astonishing natural wonders on earth, just keep reading.
17. Faroe Islands, Denmark
Located in the Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Scotland and Iceland, you will find a group of 18 major islands, formally part of Denmark, the Faroe Islands.
The archipelago is unique because of its incredible steep mountains, spectacular cliffs, waterfalls, and colonies of birds residing on its shores. The Faroe Islands are heaven for nature lovers who enjoy hikes and incredible views.
16. Joshua Tree National Park, California (USA)
What at first glance seems like a landscape on a different planet, perhaps that from a science fiction movie is a unique desert located in California. Formed on the intersection of Mojave and Colorado desert ecosystems, Joshua Tree National Park is home to large yucca-type trees, called Joshua Trees.
Astonishing granite rock formations and the landscape believed to be formed about two billion years ago, make Joshua Tree National Park a perfect for exploring, camping, and even rock-climbing.
Situated away from big cities, stargazing at night is another popular activity at this extraordinary park.
15. Pamukkale, Turkey
Located in Turkey, they were formed over hot springs. The word Pamukkale means "cotton castle." Hot water flowing downhill gradually deposited travertine sediments and formed a one-of-a-kind natural thermal spa.
It is no surprise that an actual thermal spa was established here in ancient times when the city of Hierapolis was built at the top of Pamukkale. Some of the ruins of ancient temples and baths can still be found there today.
14. Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia
Located on the Equator, part of Indonesia, the 1,500 small Raja Ampat Islands are considered divers’ paradise.
With around 75% of the world's species living in the waters of Raja Ampat and one of the richest biodiversity, it is no wonder why divers roam here from all over the world.
But the islands also offer breathtaking nature above water with its abundance of exotic beaches, cays, and hills with amazing views.
13. Algarve, Portugal
Located in the South of Portugal, Algarve is considered the country's most important tourist region. Algarve is famous because of a perfect combination of mild climate, stunning shoreline full of cliffs, caves, and hidden bays, as well as charming fishing towns and great food and wine.
One of the most remarkable characteristics of Algarve are its numerous hidden coves with sandy beaches placed amidst rugged limestone cliffs.
12. Antelope Canyon, Arizona (USA)
Arizona’s Antelope Canyon is one of the most impressive canyons in the world. Sacred to the native Navajo people, demonstrating the Mother Nature’s powers and gifts, these two imposing slot canyons were formed by water making its way through the sandstone.
In the spring and summer, the sun shines through Upper Antelope Canyon’s narrow walls, creating an extraordinary sight, lasting only a couple of moments.
11. Patagonia, Argentina & Chile
Stretching over a large portion of the Southern part of South America, divided between two countries, Argentina and Chile, Patagonia offers astounding wild and untouched nature. With the Andes Mountains dividing Patagonia into Chilean and Argentinean part, each side is unique.
The Chilean side, next to the Pacific, is full of glaciers, fjords, and rainforests. The side of Patagonia, located on the Atlantic Ocean in Argentina, is mostly home to deserts and vast arid steppes.
One of the most prominent landscapes in Patagonia is Tierra del Fuego, full of glaciers and extraordinary vistas.
10. Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia
The world’s largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni, in Bolivia, was formed on what used to be a group of prehistoric lakes. With a thick layer of salt lying on the surface, this incredible area is actually one of the flattest surfaces on earth.
After the rain, the thin layer of dead calm water transforms Solar de Uyuni into a large natural mirror.
9. Geiranger Fjord, Norway
Norway is the land of magnificent fjords, and many of them are world-famous. Still, the Geiranger Fjord is probably one of the most remarkable ones.
Surrounded by lush green forests, and magnificent mountains, and dramatic waterfalls, no wonder why the fjord is a popular hiking destination. Geiranger Fjord is protected by UNESCO and is part of the Geiranger National Park.
8. Amazon Rainforest, South America
Also referred to as the Earth’s lungs, South America’s Amazon Rainforest stretches over nine countries. Amazon is the world’s largest tropical rainforest, known for its abundance of biodiversity, with around 10% of all the world species living here.
While the Amazon river, the largest river by water discharge in the world, covers most of the Amazon rainforest, it actually spreads through thousands of other rivers.
The rivers, and jungle with entire areas where no human has ever set foot on, the Amazon rainforest is a popular destination for explorers.
7. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (USA)
Located mostly in the US state of Wyoming, while also stretching into neighboring Montana and Idaho, Yellowstone National Park covers over around 3,500 square miles or over around 9,000 square kilometers of land.
The world’s first national park, known for its hot springs, gushing geysers, rivers flowing through vast landscapes, mountains, and canyons, Yellowstone is home to an abundance of wildlife. Bears, wolves, bison, elks, and antelopes are just some of the incredible inhabitants of this spectacular setting.
6. Iguazu Falls, Argentina & Brazil
The largest waterfalls in the world, Iguazu Falls, are located on the border of Brazil and Argentina on the Iguazu River.
The waterfalls daze with almost two miles or three kilometers of cascades comprising of hundreds of smaller waterfalls. The most famous section of the falls is the iconic Devil’s Throat, protected by UNESCO. The word Iguazu derives from the native language meaning "big water."
5. Uluru, Australia
Hidden in the heart of Central Australian desert, 280 miles or 450 kilometers away from the nearest town, stands a massive monolith called Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock.
A sacred ground to native Aborigines, Ayers Rock is now closed for visitors, who can only admire it from the ground. The area around it is full of indigenous paintings and features a surprising number of green areas and wildlife. This 1,142 feet or 348 meters tall sandstone monolith is believed to be 550 million years old.
4. The Namib Desert, Namibia, Angola & South Africa
Stretching over around 1,200 miles or over around 2,000 kilometers along Namibia's Atlantic coast, as well as over the parts of South Africa, and Angola, the Namib desert is one of the largest deserts on earth.
The origins of the name from the native people of Nama, accurately describes what Namib stands for "an area where there is nothing."
From some of the tallest dunes in the world, spreading as far as the eye can see, to incredible coast where the desert meets the sea, Namib offers one of the world’s most beautiful as well as most isolated places on earth with a surprising number of unique animals and plants.
3. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Located in Croatia’s karst landscape, Plitvice Lakes are a group of impressive cascading lakes set in the serene green scenery.
The lakes were formed as a result of several karst rivers converging underground, over time creating travertine barriers. Plitvice Lakes features 16 large cascades and over 90 waterfalls.
2. Guangxi, China
Located in China, on the border with Vietnam, lies one of the most dramatic landscapes on earth. The Guangxi region is famous for its karst mountains rising from the water, an abundance of fascinating caves, and its history.
Home to remarkable wildlife and plants, Guangxi was one of the country’s richest biodiversity areas but has been under strong human influence for centuries, and very few pristine terrestrial ecosystems still exist.
You can stop in the town of Guilin or elsewhere in this region to admire breathtaking rice fields and mountains, which you will also find on 20 Yuan banknotes.
1. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
At over 19,000 feet or almost 6,000 meters, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest single free-standing mountain on earth, located in Tanzania, and overlooking Kenya.
Its three volcanic cones, shrinking glaciers, and specific terrain configuration make Kilimanjaro a very desirable climbing destination as well subject to scientific exploration.
You can admire the mountain from below from many national parks both in Tanzania and Kenya, such as Kilimanjaro National Park or Amboseli National Park known for its large elephant herds and views towards the impressive Mount Kilimanjaro.
Cover photo: Adobe Stock, Other photos: Unsplash, Pixabay, Pexels