To find your way around and figure out where the south is, just look at the tree. If the tree is a palm tree, then the south is already here… We have collected some of the most beautiful (and most breathtaking) places on Earth – from the highest to the lowest, from the coldest to the hottest, from the wettest to the driest, and much more…
Underground Beauty: Reed Flute Cave, Guilin, China
Artificial lights illuminate the stalactites, stalagmites and oddly shaped rock formations. This natural limestone cave is over 180 million years old. Ink inscriptions inside the cave prove that it has been a tourist attraction since at least 792 AD, during the Tang Dynasty. It was only rediscovered in the 1940s and is now called the Palace of Natural Arts.
The most amazing cave river on Earth: Xe Bang Fai, Khammouane, Laos
You can go kayaking underground at Xe Bang Fai Cave, in Khammouane Province, in central Laos. This is one of the largest river caves in the world! Explore and admire the hanging stalactites, underground gardens and beautiful 30-cm long cave mineral pearls. The entrance to the river is a funnel covered with dense forest!
The largest vertical slope on Earth: Mount Thor, Baffin Island, Canada
If you are not afraid of heights, Mount Thor, also known as Thor’s Peak, will amaze you. This is the largest vertical slope on Earth (2000 meters). The rock overhangs at an average angle of 15 degrees and is composed of pure granite.
The most remote island on Earth: Tristan da Cunha
South of Tristan da Cunha, a tiny chain of volcanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, lies the world’s most remote inhabited island, also called Tristan da Cunha. Only 272 people live here. Other beautiful islands in this archipelago include Nightingale Island and Gough Island, all uninhabited and with wildlife sanctuaries.
The highest place on Earth: Chimborazo, Ecuador
Everest is the highest peak in the world. But Mount Chimborazo, an inactive volcano in Ecuador at just over 6200m, is actually the highest point on earth. The earth is not a perfect sphere, with bulges raising their surface to varying degrees from their center. Due to its location on the equatorial bulge, Chimborazo is the furthest point from the center of the Earth, and therefore closer to space.
The lowest point on Earth: Dead Sea, Israel And Jordan
The Dead Sea, located on the border of Israel and Jordan, is extreme and out-of-this-world beautiful in many ways. This is the lowest point on the planet, 430 m below sea level. It is also one of the saltiest bodies of water on earth. Visit it for a lovely minimalist Martian landscape.
The hottest place in the world: Dallol, Ethiopia
If you’re looking for a break from the cold, try visiting the hottest place on earth. Dallol Volcano, Ethiopia, has the highest average annual temperature (35C) of any inhabited place on the planet. Since Dallol is very close to the equator and is in a volcanically active area, the heat never subsides. The visual contrast is fascinating and well-worth a visit.
The coldest place on Earth: Oymyakon, Russia
If you are into the pure white fairy-tale style, consider a holiday in Oymyakon, the coldest inhabited place on Earth. Located in the heart of Russian Siberia, it’s home to the record coldest temperature ever recorded (-67C).
The most dangerous path: King’s Way, Malaga, Spain
For those who like to live their life on the edge, the King’s Path can provide the ultimate experience. Known as “the most dangerous path in the world”, this scenic footbridge sits on the steep slopes of a gorge in Malaga, Spain.
The driest place on Earth: Atacama, Chile
In Atacama, Chile, you can experience severe drought at any time of the year because it’s the driest place in the world. This desert is located on the Pacific coast to the west of the Andes Mountains. There has been almost no precipitation here for centuries. This desert is incredibly beautiful, with a landscape of rocky terrain, salt marshes and lava flows.
The wettest place on Earth: Mawsynram Village, India
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the wettest place on Earth is in India. The village of Mawsynram is located in the state of Meghalaya, whose name is translated as the “land of clouds.” From June to September, monsoons bring moisture here from the Bay of Bengal, which condenses over a 1.5-kilometer plateau in the Eastern Khasi Mountains. Just for comparison – if the 38-meter statue of Jesus Christ from Rio de Janeiro were installed here, it would be knee-deep in water.