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Earth is home to some of the most breathtaking and surreal landscapes that defy logic and seem almost too magical to be real. From vibrant, otherworldly salt flats that stretch endlessly under the sky to forests that glow with bioluminescent light, these places challenge our perception of reality.
1. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
1. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
The world’s largest salt flat, stretching over 10,000 square kilometers, looks like an infinite mirror reflecting the sky.
2. Namibia, where the desert meets the ocean
2. Namibia, where the desert meets the ocean
The term “Namib” comes from the Khoekhoegowab (or Nama) language and is often interpreted as meaning “vast place” or “an area where there is nothing.”
3. The ethereal beauty of Nara Park, Japan
3. The ethereal beauty of Nara Park, Japan
4. This unique forest in Castelluccio di Norcia, Umbria, is shaped like Italy.
4. This unique forest in Castelluccio di Norcia, Umbria, is shaped like Italy.
Planted to mark the Kingdom of Italy’s centenary, its conifers form the outline of the Bel Paese — a poetic term meaning “beautiful country” in Italian.
5. Mont Saint-Michel, France
5. Mont Saint-Michel, France
This breathtaking photo by İlhan Eroğlu perfectly illustrates why the French Romantic author and poet Victor Hugo referred to this place as the “Cheops of the West.”
6. Mount Erebus is the second-highest volcano in Antarctica and the southernmost active volcano on Earth.
6. Mount Erebus is the second-highest volcano in Antarctica and the southernmost active volcano on Earth.
The steaming fumarolic ice tower above “Sauna Cave” forms as heat from magma melts the snow and ice, creating caves and tunnels beneath the ice. Photo by George Steinmetz.
7. Elephant rock, Iceland
7. Elephant rock, Iceland
8. Pathway to Atlantis, Thailand
8. Pathway to Atlantis, Thailand
9. Waves crashing against the cliffs of Inis Meáin, Ireland
9. Waves crashing against the cliffs of Inis Meáin, Ireland
10. In Iceland, there’s a spot where lush green fields, a golden river, a black sand beach, and the ocean meet…
10. In Iceland, there’s a spot where lush green fields, a golden river, a black sand beach, and the ocean meet…
11. The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan
11. The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan
A crater in the Soviet Union was ignited by scientists in 1971 to curb methane emissions, with the expectation that the fire would burn out in a few days.
It has been burning for more than five decades.
12. The dolphin-shaped island of Gallo Lungo, part of the Li Galli archipelago, lies just off the Amalfi Coast.
12. The dolphin-shaped island of Gallo Lungo, part of the Li Galli archipelago, lies just off the Amalfi Coast.
13. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
13. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Over 1,600 limestone islands rise out of emerald-green waters… this place truly feels like it belongs in a fantasy novel.
14. Unterbach, Switzerland
14. Unterbach, Switzerland
15. Rainbow Mountains, Peru
15. Rainbow Mountains, Peru
Also known as Vinicunca, the mountain’s vibrant series of colorful stripes are the result of its unique mineralogical composition, which can be observed along its slopes and summits.
16. Similarly, Spotted Lake in Canada is known for its unique mineral content, which forms colorful deposits on its surface during the summer months.
16. Similarly, Spotted Lake in Canada is known for its unique mineral content, which forms colorful deposits on its surface during the summer months.
The colors of the spots vary, depending on the specific minerals and the amount of precipitation.
17. Floating in the sky
17. Floating in the sky
The enchanting mist that surrounds the village of Rotondella, Italy, perfectly framed by Francesco Saverio Paternostro’s lens.
18. Waterfall of the Bride, Peru
18. Waterfall of the Bride, Peru
Legend has it that a couple was torn apart by family rivalry. On their wedding day, the bride’s father killed the groom.
The bride asked Mother Nature to turn her into a waterfall, a symbol of her eternal love.
19. Mount Roraima is located at the junction of Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela.
19. Mount Roraima is located at the junction of Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela.
These table-top mountains are among Earth’s oldest, estimated to be around two billion years old.
Its name comes from the Pemon language, with “Roroi” meaning “blue-green” and “ma” meaning “great.”