The 7 Natural Wonders of the World are beautiful and amazing creations made by Mother Nature herself. While man can make many glorious things, nothing can top the awe-inspiring designs that naturally occur on this Earth. Everyone should strive to see as many of these gorgeous natural wonders as possible in their lifetimes.
The Aurora Borealis is without a doubt one of the most gorgeous displays put on by the great outdoors. If you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these elusive streams of color dancing through the sky then you are very special indeed. The Northern Lights may occur frequently but the exact location and time varies enormously, making them hard to track down. Keep your fingers crossed that one day you are in the right place at the right time and get to marvel at one of the most beautiful natural wonders.
The Grand Canyon was created when the Colorado River eroded the rock at least 17 million years ago. As the river cut through the rock, it exposed billions of years of geologic history which you can now view yourself. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and 18 miles wide with a spectacularly stunning view. The best part about this natural wonder is that you don’t have to limit yourself to just viewing it! Rafting tours are available as well as hiking tours so you can actively experience the splendor that exists within the canyon itself.
The Paricutin Volcano is very rare because it, amazingly, began as a crack in a cornfield and shot up to well over 1,000 feet within one year! The volcano erupted frequently for 8 years before becoming dormant, covering the nearby towns in lava and ash (no deaths were reported). This volcano is a natural wonder because its birth, eruption and dormancy were all witnessed by mankind. Like the Grand Canyon, you do not have to be content with simply looking at this natural wonder; you can take a hike or horseback ride straight to the top! Don’t worry, this volcano hasn't been active since 1952.
This impressive waterfall is the largest in the world. It is not the tallest or widest, but the combination of its vast width and daunting height make for the highest water flow rate. The water cascades off of the flat plateau, falling to a basin 360 feet bellow and producing a spray that reaches an average of 1,400 feet! During a full moon, the spray and moonlight produce a moonbow (as opposed to a rainbow) that is an incredible sight to behold! There are an abundance of exciting ways to view the falls, ranging from hiking on foot to rafting and zip lining!
The Great Barrier Reef is a remarkable natural wonder. It is the largest coral reef system in the world and also one of the largest ecosystems! This coral reef is made up of 2,900 individual reefs and spans 133,000 square miles! This incredible natural wonder is so vast and expansive that it can actually be seen from space. You can take in the magnificent marine life by going on a scuba diving or snorkeling tour, but if that isn't enough to satisfy your craving for the stunning array of underwater creatures, you can actually rent a guest house on one of the islands surrounding the reef and spend as much time as your heart desires getting to experience the true, unaltered beauty nature has to offer!
The top of Mount Everest is the highest spot on the entire Earth. At a massive 29,029 feet above sea level it is an imposing sight to behold. Climbing Mount Everest now costs upwards of $25,000, but you can still hike to the base of the mountain and stare up at it in all of its glory. If you are not cut out for hiking, like me, there are flight tours that take you around the mountain and let you see it in all of its splendor.
The Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, carved by the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the 7 Natural Wonders due to its incredible water volume. The white sand beaches around the harbor are surrounded by hills and granite mountains, many of which have look-out locations for you to get a dramatic view of the striking scenery. Again, if you aren't much of a hiker, there are helicopter tours or even hang gliding for the more adventurous. If you want a more up close and personal view, you can explore the beach or take a boat tour!
While man-made structures are lovely and inspiring, they just cannot compare to the majestic beauty of craggy cliffs, flowing water and intense serenity you feel when you experience one of the natural wonders. There is nothing more humbling than staring up at a giant mountain or diving beneath the waves to view an entirely different ecosystem. What natural wonders that you have seen do you feel should be added to the list?