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The Top Picturesque Places on Planet Earth

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia

During the rainy season, the world’s largest salt flat becomes the world's largest mirror. The Salar was born when several prehistoric lakes joined into one. The salt flat is so reflective, it’s used to calibrate satellites.
The Top Picturesque Places on Planet Earth

Tianzi Mountains, China

These unqiuely tall and thin mountains are so alien that they were used in James Cameron’s “Avatar.” Formed underwater 380 million years ago, the flow destroyed surrounding sandstone, leaving only resilient stone pillars. Some of the columns have reached over 4,000 feet above sea level.

The Top Picturesque Places on Planet Earth

Sentinels of the Arctic, Finland

These sentinels are actually giant trees covered in snow and ice. This strange sight occurs in winter, when temperatures range from -40 to -15 degrees centigrade.

The Top Picturesque Places on Planet Earth

Reed Flute Caves, China

This 240-meter-long cave system has been one of Guilin, China’s most popular attractions for over 1200 years. The beautiful stalactites, stalagmites and pillars were all created through water erosion. In the present day, they are highlighted by multi colored lights which create a truly surreal environment.
The Top Picturesque Places on Planet Earth

Skaftafell Ice Cave, Iceland

Ice caves are temporary structures that form at the edge of glaciers when flowing water melts a hole into glaciers. The tightly packed ice has very few air bubbles and absorbs all light except for blue, giving the ice it’s unique color.
The Top Picturesque Places on Planet Earth

Antelope Canyon, Arizona, United States

This canyon was formed by millions of years of flowing water that carved out a deep, yet narrow crevice. Since significantly less light makes it down to the deeper depths, the walls often appear to be different colors.

The Top Picturesque Places on Planet Earth

Bigar Waterfall, Romania

The locals call this waterfall "the miracle from the Minis gorge." The moss formation which the falls travel over is 8 meters tall, creating one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.

The Top Picturesque Places on Planet Earth

Sea of Stars, Vaadhoo Island, Maldives

It may look normal during daylight, but at night, this beach comes to life. The sparkle in the water comes from marine microbes called phytoplankton. The galaxy they paint across the shore is nothing short of breathtaking.

The Top Picturesque Places on Planet Earth

Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, Wyoming

Grand Prismatic Hot Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States. The vivid colors in the spring are the result of pigmented microbes, which grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water.

The Top Picturesque Places on Planet Earth

Turquoise Ice, Lake Baikal, Russia

Lake Baikal is the largest and oldest freshwater lake in the world. In the winter, the lake freezes, but the water is so clear that you can see 130 feet below the ice. In March, frost and sun cause cracks in the ice crust, which results in the turquoise ice shards we see at the surface.

The Top Picturesque Places on Planet Earth

The Top Picturesque Places on Planet Earth

Yuanyang County, China

The farming techniques in Yuanyang County have created a landscape which is truly amazing from the air. These rice fields are located on the slopes of Ailao Mountain, where the terraced levels help create flat surfaces along an uneven landscape.

The Top Picturesque Places on Planet Earth

Lake Hillier, Australia

The pink color of this lake is thought to be the result of a dye created by algae and bacteria in the water. Despite the odd hue, the lake doesn't seem to have any adverse effects on humans or local wildlife.
The Top Picturesque Places on Planet Earth

Pamukkale Hot Springs, Turkey

Over millions of years, the hotsprings in Pamukkale have transformed the landscape. Although it may look like these terraces are made of ice and snow, Turkey has bikini weather all year round. The ground is just coated in white limestone.

The Top Picturesque Places on Planet Earth

Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Around 50 to 60 million years ago, intense volcanic activity in the area formed a lava plateau. Over time, the lava cooled and fractures created columns that are so perfect, they almost look artificial.
The Top Picturesque Places on Planet Earth

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