Nature’s WONDERS: 10 unbelievable wonders across the WORLD

Nature is a complex and beautiful force that we can only try to understand. Here are ten of nature’s wonders across the world.

We are so lucky to live in a world surrounded by nature’s beauty. In every corner of the globe, nature works in its own ways, bringing us some of the most striking natural wonders to explore.

Earth is home to an insane array of natural phenomena that never cease to amaze, confuse, and inspire us.

From the breathtaking but terrifying beauty of Mount Everest to the world’s more hidden beauties, let’s take a look at ten of nature’s unbelievable wonders from across the world.

TMTGN’s fun facts about nature and nature’s wonders:

• The ‘Pando’ tree in Utah, United States, is said to be the world’s largest and seemingly oldest tree.
• Contrary to popular belief, the Sahara is not the world’s largest desert; it’s actually the Antarctic Polar Desert.
• The deepest point on the Earth is the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean at 36,070 ft (10,994 m) deep.
• The blue whale holds the title of being the largest animal to have ever existed on Earth.
• The so-called ‘Humongous Fungus’ is one of the largest living organisms on Earth. Found in Oregon’s Malheur National Forest, the mushroom covers 8.8 km² (3.4 mi²).

10. Bioluminescent plankton – an incredible wonder of the natural world

If you have ever had the pleasure of swimming amongst bioluminescent plankton, then you will know what an incredible wonder of the world’s natural environment it really is.

Lucky for us, bioluminescence occurs in oceans all over the world, so your chances of experiencing it are quite high if you look in the right places.

Bioluminescent plankton light up the ocean like the stars light up the night sky, and this process of bioluminescence occurs from a light-producing chemical reaction.

9. Northern lights (aurora borealis) – a beautiful dance in the sky

While bioluminescent plankton lights up the sea, the northern lights – or aurora borealis – light up the sky in an atmospheric phenomenon of beautiful dancing waves.

The northern lights have captivated people for millennia, but did you know that this stunning display in the sky actually comes from a rather violent event?

This dance in the sky occurs when particles from the sun slam into the Earth’s upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 72 million kph (45 million mph), but Earth’s magnetic field protects us from the onslaught.

Some of the best places to see the northern lights are Tromso in Norway, Reykjavik in Iceland, and Ilulissat in Greenland.

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8. The Great Barrier Reef – the largest living organism in the world

Considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the scope and magnitude of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef cannot be overstated. 

The Great Barrier Reef is a delicate ecosystem made up of billions of microorganisms that stretches over 2,253 km (1,400 miles) along the eastern shores of Queensland.

Home to more than 1,500 species of tropical fish, 200 birds, reptiles, humpback whales, and numerous endangered species, like the large green sea turtle, the Great Barrier Reef must be protected at all costs.

7. The salt flats of Bolivia – the world’s largest salt flat

Bolivia’s salt flats, Salar de Uyuni, is the world’s largest salt flat and one of nature’s wonders that continues to amaze visitors from all over the globe.

Bolivia’s salt flats were formed more than 30,000 years ago when the water leached salt from the surrounding mountains and left these huge deposits behind when the lakes dried up.

6. The Galápagos Islands – home to numerous endemic species

The Galápagos Islands are composed of 127 islands, islets, and rocks that are a living lab of evolution and discovery.

The islands are home to many animal species that are not found anywhere else in the world, like marine iguanas on Fernandina or blue-footed boobies nesting on North Seymour.

These endemic species were studied by Charles Darwin in the 1830s and inspired his theory of evolution by means of natural selection.

5. The Amazon Rainforest – the world’s largest forest

Often referred to as “the lungs of the planet”, the Amazon Rainforest provides 20% of the world’s oxygen and acts as a carbon sink.

The Amazon houses more species of primate than anywhere else in the world, more ants on one tree than in entire countries, and about 47 million people who call it home, including around 2.2 million indigenous people.

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4. Victoria Falls – an incredible waterfall in Africa

Another one of the world’s seven natural wonders, Victoria Falls is, statistically speaking, the biggest waterfall in the world.

You just have to take a glance at the falls to consider it one of nature’s wonders for its scale alone. Bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe, this is one natural wonder you want to get on your bucket list.

3. The Grand Canyon – a vast and mesmerising desert

Located in northwestern Arizona, the Grand Canyon is a natural wonder everyone should experience once.

The entire park is covered by a semi-arid desert. However, several distinct habitats are located throughout the different elevations along the 8,000 ft (2438.4 m) elevation gradient.

2. The Great Blue Hole of Belize – a natural ecological outcome

The Great Blue Hole that lies off the coast of Belize was created as part of a natural ecological process that began more than 150,000 years ago.

Otherwise known as a sinkhole, the cave system flooded as the ocean began to rise, creating a “vertical cave” in the ocean.

Biodiversity is key to the Great Blue Hole, and it is home to an abundance of marine life, including several shark species, sea turtles, corals, molluscs, and more, which is why it is a famous scuba diving spot.

1. Mount Everest – the world’s highest peak

Last on our list of nature’s wonders around the globe is perhaps the most famous natural wonder, Mount Everest.

Located in the Himalayan Mountain range on the border between Nepal and Tibet, Mount Everest is the world’s highest mountain. It reaches a peak of 29,029 ft (8,848 m).

Mount Everest is home to a vast array of wildlife, including jumping spiders, yaks, bar-headed geese, and Himalayan black bears.

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Notable mentions

The Dead Sea: The Dead Sea is the deepest hypersaline lake in the world. Due to having no outlet, intense evaporation leaves behind a rich, nourishing sediment of salts, mud, and minerals. The Dead Sea’s extreme saltiness excludes all forms of life except bacteria.

The Parícutin Volcano: When it suddenly erupted in a Mexican cornfield in 1943, it gave scientists the unprecedented opportunity to study the extraordinary birth and growth of a volcano.

Harbour of Rio de Janeiro: The Harbour of Rio de Janeiro is the world’s largest natural bay and contains more water than any other bay in the world. Also known as Guanabara Bay, it was created by erosion from the Atlantic Ocean.

Dunedin: Known as the Wildlife Capital of New Zealand, Dunedin is an incredible place from which to see yellow-eyed penguins, albatrosses, and New Zealand fur seals.

Otago Peninsula: Near Dunedin, the Otago Peninsula is also home to seals and albatrosses, but also the smallest penguins in the world, blue penguins.

Your questions answered about nature’s wonders

If you still have questions, don’t worry! In this section, we answer some of our readers’ most frequently asked questions about nature’s wonders.

What is the meaning of natural wonders?

Natural wonders are natural sites or monuments that were not created or altered by man.

What are the seven wonders of nature?

The seven natural wonders of the world are Mount Everest, the Great Barrier Reef, the Northern Lights, the Grand Canyon, the Harbour of Rio, Victoria Falls, and the Parícutin Volcano.

What makes something a wonder of the world?

Wonders of the world are either completely natural or skilfully built in a way that makes them utterly unique.