There are many wonders of the world, natural and man-made. From the depths of the ocean to outer space and from hot springs to caves, many different unique things can be considered natural wonders of the world. In this article, we will take a look at these natural wonders and understand why they are considered wonders of the world. So let us take a look at these natural wonders one by one.
1. Kilimanjaro
At 19,341 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and ranks as one of the eight wonders of nature. Those hoping to trek to Uhuru Peak must acclimate for at least a week before attempting to climb. Then it’s 15 hours up and down — and all on foot. At least you’ll be getting some scenic exercise while you conquer your fear of heights. Just remember: never look down! (Kidding!)
2. The Great Barrier Reef
Located off the northeastern coast of Australia, The Great Barrier Reef is one of 8 nature wonders on our list. It’s home to thousands of marine species and it’s being protected by a UNESCO listing. Take a trip to Queensland, Australia, and dive into one of Mother Nature’s greatest wonders. Just make sure you wear your snorkel mask! If you’re looking for an alternative experience that doesn’t involve diving or swimming, visit Lizard Island on Green Island—it was once inhabited by sea turtles.
3. Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is a waterfall in southern Africa on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The falls are twice as wide as Niagara Falls and twice as tall, but they flow into a bigger river making them seem less impressive than Niagara to most visitors. However, Victoria Falls has an annual average flow rate that is more than five times that of Niagara Falls. The falls are divided between Zambia at an upstream portion of about 100 meters (330 ft) wide and Zimbabwe at a downstream part about 80 meters (260 ft) wide.
4. Mount Everest
Located in between China and Nepal, Mount Everest is 29,029 feet tall. It’s commonly referred to as The Mountain that Overlooks All Mountains. Due to its height, Mt. Everest has some of the most terrifying weather conditions on Earth. The mountain was named after Sir George Everest (British Surveyor General of India) by Capt. George Mallory in 1865 described it as the highest peak in the Darjeeling district. Mt. Everest is a dormant stratovolcano with flanks that are covered by four glaciers including, Dokarmo Glacier, Khumbu Glacier, Rongbuk Glacier, and East Rongbuk Glacier.
5. Iguazu Falls
Iguazu Falls is a set of waterfalls of about 270 separate falls along a horseshoe-shaped canyon, in Misiones Province, on a border shared by Argentina and Brazil. It’s of the most popular natural wonders with some 10 million people
visiting annually.
6. Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is not just another canyon. It’s one of a kind, at least in North America. At over 18 miles wide and 277 miles long, it’s also one of our planet’s largest canyons and so massive that you can see it from space. Geologists say that if Niagara Falls were placed in the Grand Canyon, its waters would go dry before they reach the d bottom. Today it’s a protected national park and there are many ways to visit: by hiking trail, helicopter tour, or muleback ride (for those who don’t mind getting sore). But for all its physical beauty—and breathtaking views—the Grand Canyon has never been known as one of the world’s best wildlife-watching spots.
7. Tianzi Mountains
This is a massive volcanic caldera that’s dominated by a natural rock formation called Oldonyo Lengai, or Mountain of God. It’s not exactly easy to get there, but it’s home to some of Africa’s most impressive wildlife and scenery. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area boasts lions, cheetahs, rhinos, and elephants as well as over 400 bird species. And because Ngorongoro is so remote and dangerous (there are lions everywhere), you’re more likely to see these animals in their natural habitat here than at any other tourist attraction in Africa.
8. Victoria Falls
While not on every traveler’s itinerary, Arizona’s Grand Canyon is one natural wonder everyone should visit. The name itself says it all, but don’t be fooled by its beauty: much more than just a hole in the ground, both sides are replete with an impressive display of caves and breathtaking vistas that will leave you breathless. Hiking through its depths is a truly humbling experience that is best captured on film. If you prefer to stay above ground, there are plenty of opportunities for photographing unique rock formations from different vantage points; when viewed from certain angles, they even resemble characters from Disney films!
9. Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in Arizona, United States. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and attains a depth of over a mile. Since enough time has not passed since it was formed for life to recover, much of it remains in its natural state. Grand Canyon attracts over 5 million visitors per year. Winter weather can be extreme at both ends of Arizona’s elevation spectrum: temperatures below 0 °F (-18 °C) are common at high elevations along with snowfall on occasion while temperatures above 100 °F (38 °C) are not uncommon in low-lying areas in July and August.
10. Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is located off Queensland’s coast in Australia. This major tourist attraction brings 2 million visitors to its shores each year. Visitors are impressed by its crystal-clear waters and colorful marine life. Named a Wonders of Nature site by UNESCO in 1981, it was also named one of Earth’s seven natural wonders by National Geographic in 2007. In addition to its beauty, The Great Barrier Reef serves an important purpose for both tourism and marine life—it helps to protect the land from erosion caused by rough waves that would otherwise crash onto beaches. Additionally, some 500 species of fish live there alongside 1,500 species of coral and hundreds more plant types; that number increases significantly during the spawning season.
11. The Northern Lights
Also known as Aurora Borealis, these glowing lights are best viewed in Scandinavia, Alaska, Iceland, and Canada. According to NASA, they’re produced by charged particles from the solar wind interacting with atoms high in Earth’s atmosphere. The best time to view them is between September and April.
12. Halong Bay
In Southeast Asia, on a patch of earth between China and Vietnam is Halong Bay. It’s home to a group of over 3000 limestone karsts that tower out over emerald waters. The air is still here and there’s not a cloud in sight, unlike some other popular seascapes like Phuket or Bali. With its pristine marine environment, it’s easy to see why UNESCO designated Halong Bay as a natural wonder in 1994.
13. Iguazu Falls
Located in northern Argentina and southern Brazil, Iguazu Falls is a waterfall system that contains 275 cascades along 2.7 miles (4.3 km) of cliffs. The water at these falls gets its bright blue color from reflected sunlight. Visitors can reach Iguazu Falls by boat or by an aerial tramway which is accessible from both sides of the Iguazu River.
