There are so many incredible places on this beautiful planet. Some we have crafted ourselves, while others were created through thousands if not millions of years of natural causes. It's wild that all of these places are real, and you can visit them yourselves. That's why we have compiled a list of the 10 greatest man made wonders and 10 of the greatest natural wonders to show you what our amazing planet has to offer.
1. The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China stretches over 13,000 miles, and is the longest man-made structure on Earth. It was built over several centuries as a defense against invasions. You can walk along the wall as it weaves through mountains, deserts, and grasslands.
Photo by William Olivieri on Unsplash
2. The Colosseum
The Roman Colosseum was once the home to many great gladiator fights, mock sea battles, and theatrical performances. The massive amphitheater was capable of seating 50,000 spectators, and has endured for thousands of years.
Photo by Linda Gerbec on Unsplash
3. The Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza, are an astonishing engineering achievement, especially for its time. These huge structures were built over 4500 years ago as grand tombs for pharaohs. Using thousands of workers they were able to move bricks weighing multiple tons across the desert to form these beautiful pyramids.
4. Machu Picchu
Situated high in the Andes mountains, the Inca population built a marvel of ancient engineering and architecture. Famously known for Its terraced structures, the beautifully groomed levels were believed to be used for both ceremonial and agricultural purposes.
Photo by Victor He on Unsplash
5. The Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal, is an over the top mausoleum that was built in the 17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife. The whole palace is covered in intricately detailed calligraphy, precious gems, and symmetric features. It still stands today, completely intact and as impressive as ever.
Photo by Navdeep Panwar on Unsplash
6. Petra
The rock-carved city of Petra, dates all the way back to 300 B.C. Built on the side of a cliff the structures include a 45m-high Hellenistic Treasury and a Monastery. The ability to build something so intricate and grand at that day in age is a sight to behold.
Photo by Alex Vasey on Unsplash
7. The Statue of Liberty
Given as a gift from France as a beacon of hope and freedom, the Statue of Liberty in New York is a colossal sculpture. The statue's towering beauty and meaning and has made it an iconic symbol of the United States ever since.
Photo by Avi Werde on Unsplash
8. The Acropolis of Athens
High above the city of Athens, sits the Acropolis. These were fifth-century B.C. structures including the Parthenon, that embodied the glorious height of Greek civilization. The buildings while now mostly fallen apart still remain as a lasting symbol of democracy in Western civilization.
Photo by Francesca Noemi Marconi on Unsplash
9. The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower, an iron tower overlooking Paris, was initially criticized by some for its design, but has since become the icon of France. It is an architectural masterpiece, that many now flock to each year to see for themselves.
Photo by Kirsten Drew on Unsplash
10. Christ the Redeemer
This Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ, stands tall overlooking all of Rio de Janeiro. It is one of the world's best-known monuments due to its location, meaning and shear size.
Photo by Raphael Nogueira on Unsplash
1. Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the highest peak on Earth. Thousands travel every year to reach the summit and are rewarded with stunning views like you’ve never seen before. Unfortunately, the peaks popularity in recent years has been tainted with more and more left over garbage.
Photo by Andreas Gäbler on Unsplash
2. The Great Barrier Reef
Australia largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef extends over 2,300 kilometers. The reef is home to many diverse marine life and is renowned for its snorkeling and diving sites, unmatched by anywhere else in the world.
Photo by Manny Moreno on Unsplash
3. The Grand Canyon
The massive size of the Grand Canyon in Arizona is truly something. From millions of years of tectonic plates grinding, you can see the colorful layers of geological formations over time. There is nothing like it.
Photo by Ken Cheung on Unsplash
4. Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, while it isn’t the largest or tallest waterfall in the world, it has been commended for its unparalleled beauty. The immense volume of water cascading down a height of over 100 meters, while surround by lush forests and wildlife is a sight to behold.
Photo by Sammy Wong on Unsplash
5. The Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest, spans across nine countries in South America. It is the most extensive tropical rainforest on earth and plays a crucial role in the planet's climate regulation. It’s not easy to visit but it sure is a significant natural wonder.
Photo by lubasi on Wikimedia Commons
6. The Aurora Borealis
Found only in polar regions the Aurora Borealis is a celestial display of dancing lights.
It is a natural phenomenon caused by the collisions between electrically charged particles released from the sun. It is important to note however, most of the best visual effects are only seen through a camera lens, as our own eyes are incapable of seeing it clearly.
Photo by Luke Stackpoole on Unsplash
7. The Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Islands, are famously recognized for their unique wildlife and connection to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. The eco-system is full of unique species and diverse landscapes, literally only found on the islands.
Photo by Nelson de Witt on Wikimedia Commons
8. The Sahara Desert
The Sahara Desert is the world's largest hot desert, spanning across most of Northern Africa. Its harsh and vast landscapes, full of sand dunes and barren rocky plateaus, has made it an iconic location known around the world.
Photo by Tim de Groot on Unsplash
9. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, is best known for its geysers and hot springs. It was also the world's first nationally recognized park. You can spend days in the seeing all kinds of unique wildlife and natural beauty.
10. The Great Blue Hole
The Great Blue Hole is a giant marine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It is a strikingly ominous pit in the middle of the ocean full of diverse marine life. Divers flock to explore its complex caves and coral formations.
