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Foreword
The earliest lists of travel wonders were made more than 2,000 years ago by
ancient Hellenic tourists. The idea of creating a list of architectural wonders
arose following Alexander the Greats conquest of much of the known world in
the 4th century BC, which gave Greek travelers access to the civilizations of the
Egyptians, Persians, and Babylonians.
The Greek writers didnt refer to these monuments as Wonders but rather as
top sights or things to be seen (theamata). Each person had his own version of
a Seven Wonders list. Some lists contain such ancient wonders as the Walls of
Babylon and the Palace of Cyrus, King of Persia. The most famous lists of are
those of Antipater of Sidon and Philon of Byzantium, both created in the 2nd
century BC. Except for the Great Pyramid of Giza the wonders on that list no
longer exist. They were destroyed by earthquakes, fires and in one case by an
angry mob.
Many lists of wonders have been made since then. In this eBook weve tried to
capture the 100 worlds most unique and wonderful destinations. Besides manmad structures weve also include natures top destinations as we think those are
just as important and amazing as those created by man. With so many beautiful
places on earth a list of the greatest tourist attractios in the world is unlikely to
create a consensus. Albeit subjective, this is our version of the greatest wonders
of what we think represents the best of what the world has to offer.
Taktsang Dzong
Situated on the edge of a
3,000 feet (900 meter)
cliff,
the
Taktsang
Monastery or Tigers Nest creates an
impressive sight, and is the unofficial
symbol of Bhutan. It is about 2-3
hour, totally up-hill hike from the
parking lot to the monastery.
According to a legend Guru Rinpoche
flew to this location from Tibet on the
back of a tigress and Taktsang was
consecrated to tame the Tiger demon.
#100
Toronto, Canada
CN Tower
Located in the heart of
Downtown Toronto, the
CN Tower is Canadas
most
recognizable
icon.
The
communication tower was built from
1973 to 1976 by the railway
company Canadian National and
standing 1,815.4 feet (553.33 meters)
tall was the tallest structure in the
world for over 30 years until it was
surpassed in height by the Burj
Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai. It
remains the tallest free-standing
structure in the Americas attracting
more than two million international
visitors per year.
#99
Nepal
Kathmandu Valley
Located at the base of the
Himalayan Mountains in
central Nepal, Kathmandu
Valley covers a region of ancient
cities rife with historic temples,
architecture, monuments and art
works. Kathmandu Valley comprises
the three chief cities of Bhaktapur,
Patan and Kathmandu in addition to
hundreds
of
smaller
villages.
Originally inhabited by the Newars
and ruled by the Malla kings between
the 12th and 18th centuries, the
region is famous for its magnificent
palaces, pagodas and stupas that give
testimony to the superb artistic skill
of the Newars.
#98
Palau
Rock Islands
The Rock Islands are
ancient relics of coral reefs
that surfaced to form the
445 islands in Palaus Southern
Lagoon. The islands are for the most
part uninhabited, and are famous for
their beaches, blue lagoons and the
peculiar shapes of many of the
islands. Many of them display unique
mushroom-like shapes. The aesthetic
beauty of the Rock Islands are
heightened by the turquoise lagoons
surrounded by a complex reef system
#97
Israel/Jordan
Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is a salt lake
between Israel and the
West Bank to the west,
and Jordan to the east. It is said to be
the lowest point on Earth, at 1,378
feet (420 meters) below sea level. It
is also the world's second saltiest
body of water, after Lake Asal in
Djibouti. With 30 percent salinity, it
is 8.6 times saltier than the ocean and
9
times
saltier
than
the
Mediterranean Sea. Its salinity
prevents the existence of any life
forms in the lake, hence the name
Dead Sea.
Due to the hypersalination of the
water, one can float with ease in the
Dead Sea and it is in fact nearly
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#95
Milford Sound
Attracting nearly one
million visitors annually,
Milford Sound is one of
New Zealand's most popular tourist
destinations. Situated within the
Fiordland National Park on South
Island, this awe-inspiring natural
wonder is more accurately a fjord
than a sound because it was formed
by melting glaciers. Surrounded on
both sides by steep, imposing cliffs
and lush rainforest, the Sound
features several majestic peaks
named for animals and objects that
they resemble such as Mitre Peak,
The Elephant and The Lion. The
frequent rains in Milford Sound
enhance the beauty of the place by
creating hundreds of waterfalls that
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Sri Lanka
Sigiriya Rock
Sigiriya is a spectacular
1214 foot (370 meter)
high Lion rock fortress
overlooking
the
green
jungle
surroundings. t is the most visited
historic site in Sri Lanka. The Sigiriya
rock is a hardened magma plug from
an extinct and long-eroded volcano,
similar to the Devils Tower in
Wyoming. From about the 5h century
BC it was used as a rock-shelter
mountain monastery and later turned
into a rock fortress by King Kasyapa.
During his reign (477 to 495),
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France
Chartres Cathedral
The majestic Chartres
Cathedral
is
an
extraordinary example of
medieval Gothic architecture. Part of
it was built in 1145, and, after a fire
in 1194, it took 26 years to
reconstruct this masterpiece of a
church. Still in remarkable condition,
the large nave that is the widest of
any in France at 52 feet (16 meters),
the fine sculptures from the mid-12th
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12
Barcelona, Spain
Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia is the
most popular attractions
in Barcelona, attracting
nearly 2.8 million visitors each year.
It is a large and intricate basilica
designed by Antoni Gaudi, a Catalan
architect. Construction began in 1882
and continues to this day. The
building is predicted to be completed
within the next 30 years.
The design of La Sagrada Familia
incorporates interpretations of many
architectural styles, such as Arat
Nouveau,
Gothic
and
Catalan
Modernism. Gaudis original plans
called for a temple large enough to
seat 13,000 people. Because he
disliked straight lines, his towers
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13
Czech Republic
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14
Italy
Amalfi Coast
Situated
in
Italy's
southwestern region of
Campania, the Amalfi
Coast is known for its extraordinary
beauty. Stretching 30 miles along the
southern side of the Sorrento
Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast is prized
for its picturesque coastline that
features shimmering bays, craggy
cliffs,
lemon
tree
gardens,
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Peru
Nazca Lines
The Nazca Lines are
located between the towns
of Nazca and Palpa along
the northern Pacific coast. Created
between 200 BC and 700 AD the
giant figures range from simple lines
to stylized spiders, monkeys, fish,
llamas, lizards and human figures.
They were created by removing
surface stones, revealing the lightercolored soil below. The lines were
created on such a large scale that it
wasnt until the 1920s, when
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Djenn, Mali
Great Mosque
The largest mud building
in the world, the Djenn
Mosque
is
built
in
Sudanese style and located in Mali. It
has timbers jutting out for support
and to make the annual replastering
easier. The first mosque on the site
was built around the 13th century,
but the current structure is about a
century old.
The mosque is situated in the city of
Djenn on the flood plain of the Bani
River. Djenn was at one time,
ancient Timbuktus sister city. The
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Thailand
Ko Phi Phi
Ko Phi Phi is a small
archipelago in the Krabi
Province in Southern
Thailand. Ko Phi Phi Don is the
largest island of the group, and is the
only
island
with
permanent
inhabitants while the smaller Ko Phi
Phi Leh is famous as the filming
location for the 2000 movie The
Beach. Ko Phi Phi was severely hit
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Morocco
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19
Amritsar, India
Harmandir Sahib
The Harmandir Sahib,
better known as the
Golden Temple is the main
attraction in Amritsar, and the most
important religious place to the
Sikhs. Construction of the famous
temple was begun by Guru Ram Dast
in the 16th century and completed by
his successor Guru Arjan. In the 19th
century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh
covered the upper floors of the
temple with gold, which gives it its
distinctive appearance and English
name. Some of the architectural
features of the Golden Temple were
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Japan
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is the highest
mountain in Japan at
12,388
feet
(3,776
meters). The volcanos exceptionally
symmetrical cone is a well-known
symbol of Japan and it is frequently
depicted in art and photographs, as
well as visited by sightseers and
climbers. t is one of Japan's "Three
Holy Mountains" along with Mount
Tate and Mount Haku. The volcano is
currently classified as active with a
low risk of eruption. The last
recorded eruption was in 1708.
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Botswana
Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta in
Botswana is one of the
worlds
great
inland
waterways. It is formed where the
Okavango River empties onto a basin
in the Kalahari Desert. The delta is
created from the rains that fill the
Okavango River during the rainy
season, between January and
February. The waters arrives at the
delta in March and rising to the peak
months of July and August. Most of
the water is lost to evaporation and
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Lalibela, Ethiopia
Rock-Hewn
Churches
Lalibela
is
one
of
Ethiopias holiest cities,
second only to Aksum, and
is a center of pilgrimage for much of
the country. This rural town is known
around the world for its monolithic
churches which play an important
part in the history of rock-cut
architecture. Though the dating of the
churches is not well established, most
are thought to have been built during
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London, England
Big Ben
Located in the Houses of
Parliament in London, Big
Ben is one of the city's
most famous landmarks. Big Ben is
the nickname for the massive bell
belonging to the world's largest fourfaced chiming clock, which is housed
within the historic Clock Tower.
Often, the nickname is used to refer
to the bell, clock and tower as a
whole. Weighing 13.5 tons, the
present-day Big Ben bell was
constructed in 1858 after a first bell
of 16 tons cracked irreparably two
years prior. Two differing theories
speculate that the bell's nickname
either originated from a British
heavyweight boxing champion or a
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Banff
Located in the province of
Alberta, the Banff National
Park is not only Canada's
first national park, but also one of the
nation's largest and most visited
national parks. Covering miles of
forests, mountains, rivers, lakes,
glaciers and a few small towns, Banff
National Park remains more than 93
percent untouched. The park's
breathtaking scenery and wildlife
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Dubai, UAE
Burj Khalifa
Until recently called Burj
Dubai, at 2,722 feet (828
meters) and 160 floors the
Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest
structure by a long shot. Already
dominating the Dubai skyline, the
newly opened tower houses nine
hotels and a Las Vegas-inspired
fountain system. The visitors'
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France
Versailles
As one of the most famous
Chateaus in France, the
Chateau Versailles draws
more than 3 million visitors annually.
This magnificent palace was first
constructed in 1624 as a hunting
lodge for King Louis XIII and then
later expanded to become the
residence of the French Royal Family.
The palaces many stunning features
include the Hall of Mirrors, a corridor
lined with seventeen mirrored
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India
Varanasi
With a history dating back
to more than 3,000 years,
Varanasi is one of the
world's oldest living cities. Located in
North India on the banks of the River
Ganges, Varanasi has been an
important center of learning for ages
as well as a chief pilgrimage
destination for many Hindus.
Varanasi is regarded as a sacred city
among Hindus, Jains and Buddhists
because it is believed that dying here
releases a person's soul from the
cycle of reincarnation, and that
bathing in the River Ganges cleanses
one's sins.
Varanasi
offers
sights
and
experiences unknown anywhere else
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Italy
Pompeii
One of Italy's most visited
tourist
destinations,
Pompeii is a famous
Roman city which was buried under
several feet of volcanic ash for nearly
1,700 years after the cataclysmic
eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Conquered
by the Romans in 80 BC, Pompeii
developed into an important passage
for goods that arrived by sea and had
to be sent toward Rome. Researchers
today believe that the ancient city
had a population of about 20,000 of
which 2,000 died from the
catastrophe. Excavation of Pompeii
began in 1748, and the site is yet to
be totally unearthed.
A tour of Pompeii offers a fascinating
insight into the everyday life of the
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Germany
Neuschwanstein
The most photographed
building
in
Germany,
Neuschwanstein Castle, is
also one of Europe's most popular
tourist destinations. Nestled among
the breathtaking beauty of the
Bavarian Alps near the town of
Fussen, this fairy-tale castle served as
the inspiration behind Walt Disney's
Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Constructed in the late 1800s,
Neuschwanstein Castle was never
built for defense purposes as most
castles. Instead, this castle was
created as a fanciful retreat for a man
dubbed the "fairy-tale king." King
Ludwig II of Bavaria had a reputation
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Canada/USA
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a series of
three
awe-inspiring
waterfalls situated on the
border of Canada's Ontario and the
United States' New York. Although it
is often called the "Honeymoon
Capital of the World," Niagara Falls in
recent years has also developed as a
popular destination for family and
adventure vacations. The magnificent
beauty and enormous volume of
Niagara Falls attracts millions every
year from all over the world. The
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India
Ellora Caves
The Ellora Caves are
located 19 miles (30 km)
from
the
city
of
Aurangabad
in
India.
Ellora
represents the epitome of Indian
rock-cut architecture. The 34
Buddhist, Hindu and Jain rock cut
temples and monasteries were built
between the 5th century and 10th
century. The Buddhist caves were the
earliest structures and consist mostly
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32
Auroral Zone
Northern Lights
The Northern Lights or
Aurora Borealis is a
natural phenomenon that
can paint the night sky with
unearthly, surreal color. The aurora
they illuminate the northern horizon
as a greenish glow or sometimes a
faint red, as if the Sun were rising
from an unusual direction. The lights
often appear as flickering curtains
following the earth's magnetic field
and can change within seconds or
glow unchanging for hours, most
often in fluorescent green.
The Aurora Borealis is caused by
charged particles ejected from the
sun during large solar explosions.
When the particles meet the Earth's
magnetic shield, they are led towards
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Greece
Meteora
The Greek word meteora
means "suspended in the
air," and this phrase aptly
describes the spectacular cliffs that
rise more than 1,200 feet (365
meters) into the air overlooking the
villages of Kalambaka and Kastraki in
the north central mainland of Greece.
What makes these cliffs even more
inspiring are the historic monasteries
perched along the summits. Dating
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Egypt
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Indian Ocean
Seychelles Islands
The Republic of Seychelles
is a scenic archipelago of
115
islands
located
northeast of Madagascar in the
Indian Ocean. It claims some of the
most beautiful beaches and scenery
in the world and is associated with
luxury and elegance. Most resorts can
be found on the main islands of Mahe
and Praslin. A few high end ones, like
the North Island, have their own
private islands. On top of ultraluxurious options, the Seychelles has
plenty of quaint, affordable self-
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The Netherlands
Amsterdam Canals
One of Europe's most
popular
tourist
destinations, Amsterdam
is widely known for its party
atmosphere, cannabis practice and
the red light district. However, this
capital city of the Netherlands offers
so much more for all travelers such
as its beautiful canal ring. Amsterdam
began building its famous canals in
the 17th century during the Dutch
Golden Age. The three main canals,
Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and
Keizersgracht form concentric belts
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Pisa, Italy
Leaning Tower
One of Italy's most
popular and photographed
buildings, the Leaning
Tower of Pisa is known worldwide
for its tilting position. Located in the
city of Pisa, the famous landmark is
the campanile, or bell tower, of the
surrounding cathedral and piazza
complex known as Campo dei
Miracoli, or Field of Miracles.
A fine example of Romanesque
architecture,
the
tower
was
constructed in three stages over a
period of 200 years beginning in
1173. Just two years after the initial
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Australia
Ayers Rock/Uluru
One of the world's largest
monoliths, Ayers Rock is
also one of Australia's
iconic landmarks. Located within the
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park of the
Northern Territory, this large
sandstone formation stands more
than 1,100 feet (340 meters) high
with a circumference of five miles (9
km). One of the rock's peculiarities is
that it changes colors dramatically at
sunset from terra cotta to blue, violet
and red. The local Aboriginal tribe,
known as Anangu, call the rock Uluru
and regard it as a sacred site.
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France
Lascaux
Nicknamed
the
prehistoric
Sistine
Chapel, the Lascaux Caves
are a cave complex in southwestern
France decorated with some of the
most impressive and famous cave
paintings in the world. The Lascaux
paintings are estimated to be 17,000
years old. Most of the cave paintings
are situated quite a distance away
from the entrance and must have
been created with the aid of candles.
The most famous cave painting is The
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Moscow, Russia
Kremlin
The Moscow Kremlin is
one of Russias most
popular
tourist
attractions. It is conveniently located
in downtown Moscow and dominates
the skyline of Russias largest city.
The Kremlin serves as the residence
for the countrys president. It has
been used as a fort, and this fact is
made clear by its sheer size. The
Kremlin's outer walls were built in
the late 1400s.
Under Ivan III, better known as Ivan
the Great, the Kremlin became the
center of a unified Russian state, and
was extensively remodeled. Three of
the Kremlins cathedrals date to his
reign. The Ivan the Great Bell Tower
was built in 1508. It is the tallest
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Indonesia
Komodo Island
Komodo Island is part of
the Komodo National Park,
a
national
park
in
Indonesia located within the Lesser
Sunda Islands. The park also includes
the islands Padar and Rincah, and 26
smaller ones. The island is
particularly notable as the natural
habitat of the Komodo dragon and
consequently named after the island.
The Komodo Dragon is the worlds
largest living reptile and can reach 10
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Yemen
Shibam
Nicknamed
the
Manhatten of the desert,
Shibam is a town in Yemen
featuring unique high rise apartment
buildings. The tower houses, some 16
stories tall and up to 100 feet (30
meters high) and made out of mud
bricks, were built to protect the
citizens from Bedouin raids. The mud
buildings have to be maintained and
frequently
renovated
by
the
inhabitants in order to protected
them from rain and erosion.
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Spain
Mezquita of Cordoba
The Mezquita (Spanish for
Mosque) of Cordoba is a
fascinating
building
famous for the forest of pillars and
arches inside the main hall. It is
unique in that it has undergone
several religious changes over time.
Construction on the mosque began in
784 AD after the Moors captured
Cordoba. It was built on the spot
where a 6th-century Visigothic
church had once stood. In the 13th
century, the Christians took Cordoba
from the Moors. At this time, they
consecrated the building as a
Christian church. During the 1520s,
they actually built a church within
the mosque. However, they agreed to
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Table Mountain
Table Mountain is a flattopped
mountain
overlooking the city of
Cape Town in South Africa. Its main
feature
is
a
level
plateau
approximately 2 miles (3 kilometers)
from side to side, surrounded by
steep cliffs. The highest point on
Table Mountain is 3,563 feet (1,086
meters) above sea level. There is a
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England
Stonehenge
One of the most famous
sites
in
the
world,
Stonehenge is composed
of earthworks surrounding a circular
setting of large standing stones in
south west England. Stonehenge was
produced by a culture that left no
written records so many aspects of
Stonehenge remain subject to debate.
Evidence indicate that the iconic
stone monument was erected around
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46
China
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47
Rwanda/Uganda
Mountain Gorillas
The mountain gorilla is the
worlds most endangered
ape found only in small
portions of protected forests in
southwestern Uganda, northwestern
Rwanda and eastern Congo. With
less than 900 mountain gorillas left in
the world, seeing them in the wild is
something only a few people will ever
have the chance to experience. There
are two populations. One is found in
an extinct volcanic region called the
Virunga Range along the borders of
Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic
Republic of Congo. The other is found
in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable
National Park.
There are two parks in Uganda, the
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and
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Egypt
Abu Simbel
Abu
Simbel
is
an
archaeological
site
comprising two massive
temples in southern Egypt on the
western bank of Lake Nasser. The
twin temples were originally carved
out of the mountainside during the
reign of Pharaoh Ramesses The Great
in the 13th century BC, as a lasting
monument to himself and his queen
Nefertari.
Archaeologists
have
concluded that the immense size of
the statues was intended to scare
potential
enemies
approaching
Egypt's southern region, as they
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Venezuela
Angel Falls
Angel Falls or Salto ngel
is the worlds highest
waterfall, dropping a total
of 3,208 feet (978 meter) from a cleft
near the summit of Auyantepui. The
most visited tepui in Venezuela,
Auyantepui, which means Devils
Mountain in the language of the
native Pemon people. The falls
themselves were named after pilot
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Paris, France
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a
symbol of Paris and
France and one of the
most famous landmarks in the world.
The tower was built by Gustave Eiffel
as the entrance arch for the
International Exhibition of Paris of
1889. With a height of 984 feet (300
meters) it was the tallest tower in the
world until 1930, when the Chrysler
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52
Indian Ocean
Maldives Atolls
The tiny country of the
Maldives in the middle of
the Indian Ocean is made
up of about 1,200 tiny coral islands
grouped into 26 atolls. The word atoll
actually comes from the the Dhivehi
(a language spoken on the Maldives)
word atholhu. With the highest
point above sea level being around 6
feet (2 meters), the Robinson Crusoe
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53
Israel/Palestine
#50
54
Australia
#49
55
Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni
Located in the Andes
Mountains of Bolivia, Salar
de Uyuni is the largest salt
flat in the world. It is covered by a
few feet of salt crust, which has an
extraordinary flatness with the
average altitude variations within 3
feet (one meter) over the entire area
of the Salar. The expanse of salt
creates an unending white landscape
during the dry season, but the area is
most breathtaking in the rainy season
when it is covered in water. The
reflection of the blue sky creates an
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Guatemala
Tikal
Situated in the lowland
rainforest of northern
Guatemala,
Tikal
is
perhaps the most breathtaking of all
the Mayan sites. Restored buildings
are scattered around the area while
many more ruined buildings are still
hidden by the jungle. Between ca. 200
to 900 AD, Tikal was the largest
Mayan city with an estimated
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Lebanon
Baalbek
Baalbek is a historical
town in the Beqaa Valley,
located about two hours
by bus from Beirut and one hour
from the Syrian capital of Damascus.
It is home to the most famous ancient
site in Lebanon and arguably the
most important Roman ruins in the
Middle East.
Now home to 72,000 people, most of
whom are Shia Muslims, Baalbek was
known as Heliopolis, the City of the
Sun, during Roman times. It's
believed to be built on a site held
sacred by the Canaanites some 2,000
years before the Romans.
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Italy
Florence Cityscape
The capital of Tuscany,
Florence
is
often
described as a colossal
outdoor museum because of its mass
of art and architectural treasures.
Internationally observed as the
birthplace of Italian Renaissance,
Florence is also known as the home
of the wealthy and powerful Medici
dynasty that produced several kings
and popes, impacting the entire
world in a number of ways culturally,
economically and politically.
Florence's hoard of art masterpieces
are found all over the city, contained
within the large numbers of
museums, stunning churches, like the
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Ifugao, Philippines
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60
Norway
Geirangerfjord
During the ice ages, water
from melted glaciers filled
up deep valleys, forming
the prodigies of nature that are
known today as fjords. Among the
most famous and beautiful of these
fjords is Geirangerfjord, located in
southwestern Norway near the
coastal town of lesund. Stretching
for more than nine miles (15 km)
long, Geirangerfjord is a natural
wonder of deep blue water
surrounded by majestic cliffs and
lush green mountains towering more
than 3,500 feet (1,000 meters) high.
Adding to the spectacular scenery are
several stunning waterfalls and lush
countryside dotted with picturesque
farms.
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Granada, Spain
Alhambra
The Alhambra in Granada
is the palace-fortress
complex where Spanish
Moors made their final stand during
the Reconquista led by the Christian
monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella.
The original fortress was constructed
in 889, and a royal palace was added
in 1333. The name is derived from
Arabic words meaning the red one,
which describes the citadel's brilliant
faade. The well-preserved citadel is
one of the finest examples of Moorish
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Indonesia
Borobudur
A colossal temple complex
dating back to the 8th
century, the Borobudur is
one of Indonesia's most popular
tourist destinations as well as one of
the world's most important Buddhist
temples. Located in the lush Kedu
Plain with a backdrop of majestic
volcanoes, Borobudur is an aweinspiring site located 25 miles (40
km) northwest of Yogyakarta in
Central Java. Built in the 8th and 9th
centuries over a period of 75 years,
the temple complex was mysteriously
abandoned in the 14th century and
left hidden for centuries under
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Croatia
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Moscow, Russia
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Wyoming, USA
Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
was the worlds first
national park, set aside in
1872 to preserve the vast number of
geysers, hot springs, and other
thermal areas, as well as to protect
the incredible wildlife and rugged
beauty of the area. Yellowstone lies
on top of a gigantic hotspot where
light, hot, molten mantle rock rises
towards the surface. Subsequently,
the park contains half of all the
worlds known geothermal features,
with more than 10,000 examples of
geysers and hot springs. The most
famous geyser in the park is Old
Faithful Geyser. It is one of the most
predictable geographical features on
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Italy
Canals of Venice
Located in northeastern
Italy,
Venice
is
an
archipelago of 118 islands
all connected by hundreds of
beautiful bridges and scenic canals.
Of the canals, the Grand Canal is most
famous and divides the city into two
sections. Picturesque waterways and
historic architecture make Venice
one of the most romantic cities in the
world. Venice is often crowded and
expensive but well worth visiting to
see its magnificent landmarks like
Saint Mark's Square and Basilica,
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Turkey
Cappadocia
Covering a large region in
Central Anatolia of Turkey,
Cappadocia is best known
for its fairytale landscape of unusual
formations resembling chimneys,
cones, mushrooms and pinnacles.
Natural processes such as ancient
volcanic eruptions and erosion have
all sculpted these odd formations
over the ages, with some of them
rising as much as 130 feet (40
meters) high. However, thousands of
years
ago,
mankind
added
remarkable touches to the landscape
by carving out houses, churches and
underground cities from the soft
rock. Inhabited as early as 1800 BC,
Hittites and other residents chiseled
out underground tunnel complexes,
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seeking
safety from invading
Persians and Greeks. Much later in
the 4th century AD, Christians, fleeing
out of religious persecution from
Rome, sought refuge in Cappadocia's
tunnels and caves.
While much of Cappadocia is located
in the province of Nevsehir, some of
the main towns in the region are
rgp, Greme, Avanos, Ortahisar
and Mustafapasa. Many of these
towns offer hotels, restaurants,
nightlife options and attractions such
as museums, rock castles, fairy
chimneys, underground tunnels, old
Greek villages, monasteries and
handicraft markets. Some of the
caves in the region are actually hotels
and
cater
to
tourists.
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Vatican City
St Peter's Basilica
It may be the center of the
Catholic
world,
but
visitors do not have to be
religious
to
appreciate
the
magnificent architecture and art
works contained within St. Peter's
Basilica. Located on Vatican Hill in
Rome, St. Peter's Basilica was built
over a period of more than a hundred
years by some of Italy's greatest
artists including Michelangelo and
Bernini. Although the original church
was built in 349 AD, the current
basilica was constructed in the 16th
century to replace the former due to
deterioration.
Catholic tradition says that the
present day St. Peter's Basilica is built
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Xian, China
Terracotta Army
The Mausoleum of the
First Emperor of the Qin
Dynasty (221 BC-206 BC),
who successfully defeated all rival
states and unified China, is located
near the city of Xian. The tomb of the
emperor has not been excavated yet
but his buried terracotta army
unearthed nearby has already
become one of the most popular
attractions in China. It is estimated
that in the three pits containing the
Terracotta Army there were over
8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520
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Tanzania
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater is the
world's largest unbroken
caldera. It is formed from
a volcano erupting two to three
million years ago which has collapsed
and formed a crater. The crater is
about 2,000 feet (600 meters) deep
and its floor covers 100 square miles
(260 square kilometers). The steep
sides of the crater have become a
natural enclosure for a wide variety
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Beijing, China
Forbidden City
Attracting
8
million
visitors
annually, the
Forbidden City is the
world's largest palace complex.
Situated in the heart of Beijing near
the
Tiananmen
Square,
this
enormous palace was constructed in
the 15th century during the Ming
Dynasty and served until 1911 as the
imperial residence of emperors and
their families as well as the center of
Chinese political and ceremonial
functions. In total, 24 emperors
reigned over the country for almost 5
centuries from the Forbidden City
until the abdication of Puyi, the last
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French Polynesia
Bora Bora
One of the most beautiful
and photographed islands
in the South Pacific Ocean,
Bora Bora is part of the archipelago
of the Society Islands belonging to
French Polynesia. About 20 miles (32
km) wide, the island consists of a
mainland that is surrounded by
several small islets famously known
today for their tourists resorts of
thatched-roof bungalows and long
wooden boardwalks stretching out
over a clear blue lagoon. Dominating
the center of the island are the
emerald green peaks of Mt. Otemanu
and Mt. Pahia.
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Lhasa, Tibet/China
Potala Palace
Situated on Marpo Ri hill,
430 feet (130 meters)
above the Lhasa valley, the
Potala Palace rises a further 560 feet
(170 meters) and is the greatest
monumental structure in all of Tibet.
As the winter palace of the Dalai
Lama from the 7th century the
complex
symbolizes
Tibetan
Buddhism and its central role in the
traditional administration of Tibet.
The construction of the present
palace began in 1645 during the
reign of the fifth Dalai Lama and by
1648 the Potrang Karpo, or White
Palace, was completed. The Potrang
Marpo, or Red Palace, was added
between 1690 and 1694. The Potala
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Manhattan
One of the most densely
populated communities in
the world, Manhattan also
contains one of the world's greatest
concentrations of famous attractions.
It may be the smallest of New York
City's five boroughs, but its what
people most often think of when they
picture New York.
A small island, Manhattan is probably
best known for its dazzling skyline
and cityscape consisting of numerous
skyscrapers. The borough is made up
of several neighborhoods and
districts that are all filled with
fabulous
landmarks,
shopping
venues,
restaurants
and
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Burma
Bagan
The city of Bagan lies on
the
shore
of
the
Ayeyarwady
River in
central Myanmar, formerly known as
Burma.
Approximately
13,000
temples, pagodas, stupas and other
ruins once stood here, and nearly
2,200 remain today. Some are well
maintained
while
others
are
overgrown with grass and weeds.
Bagan was the capital of the Kingdom
of Pagan from the 9th to the 13th
century. During the 11th to the 13th
centuries,
wealthy
rulers
commissioned the building of
thousands of temples. This golden
age came to an end in 1287 when the
Mongols invaded the Kingdom after
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Istanbul, Turkey
Hagia Sophia
A journey to Istanbul,
would not be complete
without a visit to the Hagia
Sophia to see the remarkable
Byzantine architecture along with the
mosaics, icons and other religious
relics. Hagia Sophia is the Greek term
for Holy Wisdom and refers to Jesus
Christ. Constructed between 532 and
537, on the orders of the Byzantine
Emperor Justinian, the structure was
an Eastern Orthodox cathedral until
1453, except for about 60 years in the
1200s when it served as a Roman
Catholic cathedral. In 1453, Ottoman
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Luxor, Egypt
Karnak
Although badly ruined,
few attractions in Egypt
tour are more impressive
than Karnak. It is the largest ancient
religious site in the world, and
represents
the
combined
achievement of many generations of
Egyptian builders. The Temple of
Karnak actually consists of three
main Egyptian temples, smaller
enclosed temples, and several outer
temples located about 1.5 miles (2.5
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North Africa
Sahara Desert
Covering most of Northern Africa, the
Sahara is the third largest desert
after Antarctica and the Arctica,
almost equal in size to the United
Stated. It has one of the harshest
climates in the world. Daytime
temperatures are high, averaging
86F (30C) and often over 100F
(37.5C) while the prevailing northeasterly wind often causes sand
storms and dust devils. Heat loss is
rapid after dark and from December
to February freezing temperatures
are not uncommon during the night.
Most of the Sahara receives less than
5 inch (12.7 cm) of rain per year on
average. Even in the Saharas wettest
areas, it may rain only twice a week
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Zambia/Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls
The
Victoria
Falls
(indigenous name: Mosioa-Tunya meaning The
Smoke That Thunders) are located
on the border between Zimbabwe
and Zambia. David Livingstone, the
Scottish explorer was the first
European to view Victoria Falls in
1855. He named his discovery in
honour of Queen Victoria but the
indigenous name, Mosi-oa-Tunya
continues in common usage as well.
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Vietnam
Ha Long Bay
With its aqua-green water
and cluster of limestone
rocky outcrops rising from
the water like sea dragons, Ha Long
Bay resembles a scene from a fantasy
story. Located about 80 miles (130
km) east of Hanoi in northern
Vietnam, this otherworldly bay
features more than 2,000 junglecovered islands pitted with intriguing
caves, grottoes, sinkholes and lakes.
Ranging between 160 and 300 feet
(50 and 90 meters) high, many of the
islands and outcrops have been
sculpted over the centuries by
natural processes into fantastic
formations. The names of these
islands reflect the unusual shapes
they resemble such as Voi Islet
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Mexico
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is the most
famous of all the great
Mayan cities. This is
somewhat ironic because its most
famous structures do not have a
typical Classic Mayan architecture
but show strong influences from
other civilizations from Central
Mexico.
The most famous landmark of
Chichen Itza is the 99 feet (30 m)
high Temple of Kukulkan, also
referred to as El Castillo (the castle in
Spanish). The temple contains many
references to the important Mayan
calendar. Each of El Castillos four
sides has 91 steps which, when
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Indonesia
Bali
Often described as a
paradise for its volcanic
mountains, green rice
terraces and sandy white beaches,
Bali is one of the 17,000 islands that
comprise
the
archipelago
of
Indonesia in Southeast Asia. In
addition to remarkable culture and
world-class diving and surfing, Bali is
where many people come for
weddings, honeymoons and for total
relaxation of mind, body and spirit.
Bali first became popular in the
1970s as a top surfing and diving
destination. Dive shops are located all
over the island, and the crystal clear
water, coral reefs, colorful marine
creatures and sunken ships all
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present
excellent
diving
and
snorkeling adventures.
Some of the main tourist destinations
in Bali include Kuta, known for its
beautiful beaches and vibrant
shopping and nightlife. Ubud is the
island's art and cultural center while
the towns of Sanur and Seminyak
offer many fabulous beachside
resorts. Bali's Hindu culture is among
its greatest attractions. The island is
dotted with thousands of Hindu
temples varying in size, shape and
architectural design. With each of
these temples hosting festivals at
various times of the years, the island
is always buzzing with performances
of traditional Balinese music, dances,
costumes and rituals.
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Athens, Greece
Acropolis
Consisting
of
several
ancient buildings, the
Acropolis is located on a
rocky outcrop above the city of
Athens in Greece. In the fifth century
BC, the Greek statesman Pericles
coordinated the construction of this
sites many historic buildings. The
most famous of these is the
Parthenon, which has existed at the
top of the Acropolis for almost 2,500
years.
The Parthenon was built to honor the
goddess Athena Parthenos, the
patron of Athens, to thank her for
protecting the city during the Persian
Wars. The construction of this
monument began in 447 BC and
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Polynesia/Chile
Easter Island
Easter Island is one of the
most isolated places in the
world.
Its
closest
inhabited neighbor is Pitcairn Island,
1,289 miles (2,075 km) to the west
while the nearest continental point
lies more than 2,000 miles (3,500km)
to the east in central Chile.
The island is famous for its
monolithic stone statues, called moai.
The statues were carved by the
Polynesian colonizers of the island,
mostly between circa 1250 AD and
1500 AD. In addition to representing
deceased ancestors, the moai were
also regarded as the embodiment of
powerful living or former chiefs. The
tallest moai erected, called Paro, was
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Nepal/China
Mount Everest
At 29,029 feet
(8,848
meters), Mount Everest is
the highest mountain on
Earth. It is located on the border
between Nepal and Tibet. In 1953, Sir
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay
were the first to succesful ascent Mt.
Everest. Today, the highest mountain
in the world attracts climbers of all
levels.
Although
other
eightthousanders such as K2 are much
more difficult to climb, Mount
Everest still has many inherent
dangers such as altitude sickness,
weather and wind. People who die
during the climb are typically left
behind and it is not uncommon to
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Agra, India
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is an
immense mausoleum of
white
marble,
built
between 1632 and 1653 by order of
the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in
memory of his favorite wife. The Taj
is one of the most well preserved and
architecturally beautiful tombs in the
world, one of the masterpieces of
Mughal architecture, and one of the
great sites of the worlds heritage.
Called a teardrop on the cheek of
eternity, the monument is actually
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Rome, Italy
Colosseum
The Colosseum in Rome is
the largest and most
famous amphitheater ever
built in the Roman Empire. Its
construction was started by emperor
Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty in
72 AD and was finished by his son
Titus in 80 AD. During the
Colosseums opening ceremonies,
spectacles were held for 100 days in
which 5,000 of animals and 2,000
gladiators were killed.
The Colosseum was capable of
holding some 50,000 spectators who
could enter the building through no
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Antarctic Circle
Antarctica
Antarctica, on average, is
the coldest, driest, and
windiest continent on the
planet, and has the highest average
elevation of all the continents.
Although about 98% of Antarctica is
covered by ice, it is technically a
desert (the largest on earth) with
very little precipitation. Antarctica is
colder than the Arctic because much
of the continent is more than 2 miles
(3 kilometers) above sea level, and
because the Arctic Ocean covers the
north polar zone transferring the
oceans relative warmth through the
icepack. Sea life of Antarctica include
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Greece
Santorini
One of the most popular
destinations in Greece,
Santorini may be one of
the more expensive islands but
definitely
one
of
the
most
picturesque. Part of the Cyclades
group, Santorini is well-loved for its
cliff-hanging
villages,
Venetian
castles, scenic wine country and
legendary sunsets.
While Santorini consists of numerous
villages, the most famous are Fira and
Oia, which cling to cliff sides
overlooking the turquoise sea.
Hundreds of zigzagging steps ascend
and wind through these villages of
cobblestone lanes and whitewashed
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Cambodia
Angkor
Angkor is a vast temple
complex featuring the
magnificent remains of
several capitals of the Khmer Empire,
from the 9th to the 15th century AD.
These include the famous Angkor
Wat temple and the Bayon temple at
Angkor Thom. The Angkor Wat
temple is the most magnificent and
largest of all the monuments at
Angkor. It name means City Temple
and it is considered to be the largest
religious structure in the world. From
the base to the tip of the highest
tower its 669 feet (213 meters) of
breathtaking stone reliefs in the
elaborate Khmer style. The Bayon
temple features a sea of over 200
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Mexico
Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan is an ancient
city in central Mexico that
had up to 150,000
residents at one time. Although it
experienced a period of economic
prosperity, the city went into decline
after 650 A.D. and was abandoned
within 50 years. Seven centuries after
the demise of the Teotihuacn empire
the pyramids were honored and
utilized by the Aztecs and became a
place of pilgrimage. Today, tourists
from around the world visit this part
of Mexico to see what remains of
Teotihuacan.
The city's most famous attractions
are its pyramids. The Pyramid of the
Moon is located in the northern
outskirts of Teotihuacan. It measures
over 110 feet (34 meters) tall and
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Australia
#10
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Arizona, USA
Grand Canyon
Attracting
millions
of
visitors every year, the
Grand Canyon is one of the
great tourist attractions in the United
States. Located in northern Arizona,
this massive natural wonder was
carved by the Colorado River over a
period of several million years and
now measures 277 miles (446 km)
long, over a mile (1.6 km) deep and
up to 18 miles (29 km) wide. It is not
the deepest or the longest canyon in
the world but the overwhelming size
and colorful landscape offers visitor
vistas that are hard to match.
Managed and protected by the Grand
Canyon National Park, the Grand
Canyon is contained within the
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Jordan
Petra
Petra, the fabled rose red
city, half as old as time is
one of the world most
fascinating
archaeological
sites
comprising what remains of an
ancient capital city once ruled by the
Nabataean kingdom from the 6th
century BC. Located in the desert in
southern Jordan, this ancient site is
famous for its marvelous architecture
carved from sandstone cliff faces.
Because of its location on a major
trade route, Petra was a center of
commerce where spices, incense and
Chinese silks were once traded. Even
today, the enormity and grandeur of
the city's ruins bespeaks its wealth
and importance. In 106 AD, the
Roman Empire took control of Petra.
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Brazil/Argentina
Iguazu Falls
One of the world's most
stunning natural wonders,
Iguazu Falls is a series of
magnificent waterfalls located on the
Iguazu River, straddling the border
between Brazil and Argentina. This
chain of voluminous cataracts varies
between 200 to 269 feet in height
and extends for more than a mile
along a crescent-shaped cliff before
plunging over a plateau with
thunderous roars. Estimated in
number between 275 and 300, the
waterfalls are divided by numerous
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South America
Amazon Rainforest
Home to 40% of the planets
remaining rainforest, the
Amazon is the largest and
most species-rich tropical rainforest
in the world. The Amazon is mostly
contained
within
Brazil,
and
stretches into Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia,
and smaller parts in some other
South American countries.As the
largest tropical rainforest it has has
an unparalleled biodiversity. One in
ten known species in the world live in
the Amazon Rainforest. This includes
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Pacific Ocean/Ecuador
Galapagos Islands
The
inspiration
behind
Charles Darwin's Theory of
Natural
Selection,
the
Galapagos Islands are a remote but
beautiful archipelago of 19 islands
lying on the equator some 600 miles
(1,000 km) west of the South
American country, Ecuador. Isolated
from the continental mainland, these
islands are home to unique wildlife
not found anywhere else in the
world. Some of these unusual species
include marine iguanas, giant
tortoises, red-footed and blue-footed
boobies, fur seals, lava lizards,
frigatebirds,
colorful
Christmas
iguanas and the Galapagos Penguin.
Claimed by Ecuador and visited by
Darwin in the early 1800s, the
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Peru
Machu Picchu
One of the most beautiful
and impressive ancient sites
in the world, Machu Picchu
was rediscovered in 1911 after it lay
hidden for centuries above the
Urubamba Valley. The Lost City of
the Incas is invisible from below and
completely
self-contained,
surrounded by agricultural terraces
and watered by natural springs.
Although locals have always been
aware of the site, the world didn't
know about it until the American
explorer, Hiram Bingham, officially
discovered it in 1911. While many
theories abound concerning the site's
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China
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101
Tanzania/Kenya
Serengeti Migration
The Serengeti Migration is
one of the largest mass
movement of land mammals
on the planet. One million wildebeest
and 200,000 zebra make a 300 miles
(500 kilometer) round trip from the
Southern Serengeti in Tanzania to the
northern edge of the Masai Mara
National Reserve in Kenya. During
their trip, the wildebeests and zebras
are accompanied by gazelle, eland
and impala.
The migration pattern is determined
by the availability of grazing. At the
beginning of the year there is plenty
of grass available for the animals in
the south eastern part of the
Serengeti ecosystem. Around this
time, the wildebeest give birth to
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Egypt
Giza Pyramids
The Giza necropolis, situated
in the immediate vicinity of
the southwestern suburbs of
Cairo is probably the most famous
ancient site in the world. The
pyramids in Giza were built over the
span of three generations by Khufu,
his second reigning son Khafre, and
Menkaure. The Great Pyramid of
Khufu is the oldest and sole remnant
of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World. Over 2 million blocks of stone
were used to construct the pyramid,
during a 20 year period concluding
around 2560 BC. The pyramid is an
awe-inspiring 455 feet (139 meters)
high making it the largest pyramid in
Egypt, although nearby Khafres
Pyramid appears to be larger as it is
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