For centuries, people have compiled a variety of lists of wonders of the world in order to highlight the most outstanding creations of natural perfection from the total number. Most often, such lists were limited to seven laureates, following the ancient Greek Seven Wonders of the World, but more extended or narrower lists are also found.

In this article, we will look at a small list of wonders of the natural world, which was offered in 1997 by the famous American television company CNN. So, they became the following 7 natural wonders of the world:

 

1. Grand Canyon (Arizona, USA)

The Grand Canyon (or Grand Canyon or Grand Canyon) is one of the deepest canyons in the world. Located in Arizona (USA). The canyon is carved by the Colorado River through limestone, shale and sandstone. The length of the canyon is 446 km. The width varies from 6 to 29 km. The depth reaches 1800 meters.

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The Grand Canyon (or Grand Canyon) is one of the deepest canyons in the world. Located in Arizona (USA). The canyon is cut by the Colorado River through limestone, shale and sandstone. The length of the canyon is 446 km. The width varies from 6 to 29 km. The depth reaches 1800 meters.

The Grand Canyon is one of the most unusual geological objects on our planet, so it is very well explored. The canyon is considered one of the best examples of soil erosion. The Grand Canyon was formed about 5-6 million years ago due to a change in the angle of the Colorado River. The canyon is still deepening due to ongoing erosion.

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The Grand Canyon is one of the most unusual geological objects on our planet, so it is very well explored. The canyon is considered one of the best examples of soil erosion. The Grand Canyon was formed about 5-6 million years ago due to a change in the angle of the Colorado River. The canyon is still deepening due to ongoing erosion.

Since 1979, the Grand Canyon has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Grand Canyon area has some of the cleanest air in the United States.

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Since 1979, the Grand Canyon has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Grand Canyon area has some of the cleanest air in the United States.

The Grand Canyon is one of the top tourist destinations in the US. About 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon every year. Popular among tourists are rafting in Colorado on inflatable rafts and descending into the canyon on mules.

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The Grand Canyon is one of the top tourist destinations in the US. About 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon every year. Popular among tourists are rafting in Colorado on inflatable rafts and descending into the canyon on mules. Tourists wishing to see a more vertical perspective can skydive, take helicopters and small planes to fly around the canyons.

 

2. Great Barrier Reef (Northeast coast of Australia)

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef located in the Pacific Ocean. It has over 2 individual coral reefs and 900 islands in the Coral Sea. The Great Barrier Reef stretches along the northeast coast of Australia for 900 km and covers an area of ​​about 2 square kilometers. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest natural object on Earth formed by living organisms – it can be seen from space.

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The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef located in the Pacific Ocean. It has over 2 individual coral reefs and 900 islands in the Coral Sea. The Great Barrier Reef stretches along the northeast coast of Australia for 900 km and covers an area of ​​about 2 square kilometers. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest natural object on Earth formed by living organisms – it can be seen from space.

The structure of this reef is formed (built) from billions of tiny organisms known to science as coral polyps. Its area is larger than the area of ​​Great Britain. Most of the reefs are under water (they are exposed during low tides). A number of reefs under the influence of abrasion-accumulative activity of the sea turned into coral islands.

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The structure of this reef is formed (built) from billions of tiny organisms known to science as coral polyps. Its area is larger than the area of ​​Great Britain. Most of the reefs are under water (they are exposed during low tides). A number of reefs under the influence of abrasion-accumulative activity of the sea turned into coral islands.

The Great Barrier Reef supports a huge variety of living organisms and was selected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1981. The modern history of its development lasts about 8000 years. New layers are still appearing on the old foundation. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest ecosystem in the world because it is a colony of coral polyps. More than 400 species of corals live here.

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The Great Barrier Reef supports a huge variety of living organisms and was selected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1981. The modern history of its development lasts about 8000 years. New layers are still appearing on the old foundation. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest ecosystem in the world because it is a colony of coral polyps. More than 400 species of corals live here.

 

3. Harbor of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Guanabara harbor in Rio de Janeiro is very picturesque. Its coastline reaches 30 kilometers and is the second largest bay in South America. The area of ​​the bay is 384 km², the dimensions are 31 km by 28 km.

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Guanabara harbor in Rio de Janeiro is very picturesque. Its coastline reaches 30 kilometers and is the second largest bay in South America. The area of ​​the bay is 384 km², the dimensions are 31 km by 28 km.

Rio's unique "river-like" harbor is known for Sugar Loaf Mountain and Cocovardo Peak, as well as the Tijuca Hills. All this makes it one of the natural wonders of the world. More than 130 picturesque islands are located in Guanabar Bay.

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Rio's unique "river-like" harbor is known for Sugar Loaf Mountain and Cocovardo Peak, as well as the Tijuca Hills. All this makes it one of the natural wonders of the world. More than 130 picturesque islands are located in Guanabar Bay.

The bay is known for being connected to the ocean by a 1,5 km wide strait, which, when discovered, was confused with a river by Europeans. The discovery took place in January 1502, and the "river" was named Janvarskaya (De Janeiro). Somewhat later, when the mistake was discovered, and it turned out that it was not a river at all, but the name “Rio de Janeiro” had already taken root, the city that grew up in those parts was not renamed.

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The bay is known for being connected to the ocean by a 1,5 km wide strait, which, when discovered, was confused with a river by Europeans. The discovery took place in January 1502, and the "river" was named Janvarskaya (De Janeiro). Somewhat later, when the mistake was discovered, and it turned out that it was not a river at all, but the name “Rio de Janeiro” had already taken root, the city that grew up in those parts was not renamed.

 

4. Everest (Nepal and China)

Everest or Chomolungma is the highest peak of the Earth (8848 meters above sea level). The mountain is located in the Himalayas, the southern peak (8760 meters) of which lies on the border of Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region (China), the northern (main) peak (8848 meters) is located in China.

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Everest or Chomolungma is the highest peak of the Earth (8848 m above sea level). The mountain is located in the Himalayas, the southern peak (8760 m) of which lies on the border of Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region (China), the northern (main) peak (8848 meters) is located in China.

At the top of the Chomolungma, there are strong winds blowing at speeds up to 200 km/h. The average monthly air temperature in January is -36 °C (on some nights it can drop to -50... -60 °C), in July it is about 0 °C. Everest, being the highest peak of the Earth, attracts a lot of attention of climbers; climbing attempts are regular. Climbing to the top takes about 2 months – with acclimatization and setting up camps. Weight loss per ascent is an average of 10–15 kg.

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At the top of the Chomolungma, there are strong winds blowing at speeds up to 200 km/h. The average monthly air temperature in January is -36 °C (on some nights it can drop to -50... -60 °C), in July it is about 0 °C. Everest, being the highest peak of the Earth, attracts a lot of attention of climbers; climbing attempts are regular. Climbing to the top takes about 2 months – with acclimatization and setting up camps. Weight loss per ascent is an average of 10–15 kg.

The countries on whose territory the approaches to the summit are located charge a lot of money for climbing to the top. Also, money is charged for the possibility of lifting. Establishes the order of climbing expeditions. In the 21st century, thanks to the development of tourism infrastructure, there has been a significant increase in annual ascents: if in 1983, 8 people reached the summit, in 1990 – about forty, then in 2012, 234 people climbed Everest in just one day. During the ascent, many hours of traffic jams and even fights between climbers were noted.

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The countries on whose territory the approaches to the summit are located charge a lot of money for climbing to the top. Also, money is charged for the possibility of lifting. Establishes the order of climbing expeditions. In the 21st century, thanks to the development of tourism infrastructure, there has been a significant increase in annual ascents: if in 1983, 8 people reached the summit, in 1990 – about forty, then in 2012, 234 people climbed Everest in just one day. During the ascent, many hours of traffic jams and even fights between climbers were noted.

 

5. Aurora Borealis (Earth's Atmosphere)

The aurora borealis (or northern lights, or southern lights, or aurora) is the glow of the upper layers of the planet's atmosphere, due to their interaction with charged particles of the solar wind. The red glow of oxygen on Earth is observed at altitudes of 200–400 km, and the combined glow of nitrogen and oxygen is observed at an altitude of ~110 km.

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The aurora borealis (or northern lights, or southern lights, or aurora) is the glow of the upper layers of the planet's atmosphere, due to their interaction with charged particles of the solar wind. The red glow of oxygen on Earth is observed at altitudes of 200–400 km, and the combined glow of nitrogen and oxygen is observed at an altitude of ~110 km.

In the spectrum of the Earth's auroras, the radiation of the main components of the atmosphere, nitrogen and oxygen, is most intense, while their emission lines are observed both in the atomic and molecular state. The most intense are the emission lines of atomic oxygen and ionized nitrogen molecules. Each phenomenon has its own unique range, due to the variability of the chemical composition of the atmosphere and weather factors.

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In the spectrum of the Earth's auroras, the radiation of the main components of the atmosphere, nitrogen and oxygen, is most intense, while their emission lines are observed both in the atomic and molecular state. The most intense are the emission lines of atomic oxygen and ionized nitrogen molecules. Each phenomenon has its own unique range, due to the variability of the chemical composition of the atmosphere and weather factors.

Auroras in spring and autumn occur much more often than in winter and summer. The peak frequency falls on the periods closest to the spring and autumn equinoxes. During the aurora, a huge amount of energy is released in a short time. When viewed from the surface of the Earth, the aurora appears as a general rapidly changing glow of the sky or moving rays, stripes, crowns, "curtains". The duration of auroras ranges from tens of minutes to several days.

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Auroras in spring and autumn occur much more often than in winter and summer. The peak frequency falls on the periods closest to the spring and autumn equinoxes. During the aurora, a huge amount of energy is released in a short time. When viewed from the surface of the Earth, the aurora appears as a general rapidly changing glow of the sky or moving rays, stripes, crowns, "curtains". The duration of auroras ranges from tens of minutes to several days.

 

6. Paricutin Volcano (Mexico)

Paricutin is the youngest Mexican volcano, located in the central part of the country in the state of Michoacán. Today, the volcano is dormant, but the observation point in the nearest village offers an unforgettable view of the 25-kilometer lava field and the Paricutin cone rising behind it. The bell tower of the church of the city destroyed by the volcano stands among the hardened black lava as proof of the power of underground forces.

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Paricutin is the youngest Mexican volcano, located in the central part of the country in the state of Michoacán. Today, the volcano is dormant, but the observation point in the nearest village offers an unforgettable view of the 25-kilometer lava field and the Paricutin cone rising behind it. The bell tower of the church of the city destroyed by the volcano stands among the hardened black lava as proof of the power of underground forces.

The Paricutin Volcano has grown incredibly fast. It was discovered in a field on February 5, 1943. It looked like a 10-meter cone of ash and slag, in the depths of which explosions occurred all the time. By noon, he reached a height of 50 meters, and a week later, the volcano towered over the field by 150 meters. Explosions were heard at a distance of up to 350 km, and ash and stones flew into the sky for a whole kilometer in height. During the year, the volcano continued to grow and on February 20, 1944, it reached a height of 336 meters.

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The Paricutin Volcano has grown incredibly fast. It was discovered in a field on February 5, 1943. It looked like a 10-meter cone of ash and slag, in the depths of which explosions occurred all the time. By noon, it reached a height of 50 meters, and a week later, the volcano towered over the field by 150 meters. Explosions were heard at a distance of up to 350 km, and ash and stones flew into the sky for a whole kilometer in height. During the year, the volcano continued to grow and on February 20, 1944, it reached a height of 336 m.

Lava began to pour out of the volcano two days after its formation. In June 1944, having covered 11 km, she reached the town of San Juan Parangarikutiro, destroying it. The volcano continued to operate for 9 years, after which it “fell asleep”. The height of the Paricutin volcano reached 2774 meters above sea level. Every year before Easter, the villagers of Paricutin celebrate the birthday of the volcano. They make a pilgrimage to the site of the destroyed village.

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Lava began to pour out of the volcano two days after its formation. In June 1944, having covered 11 km, she reached the town of San Juan Parangarikutiro, destroying it. The volcano continued to operate for 9 years, after which it “fell asleep”. The height of the Paricutin volcano reached 2774 m above sea level. Every year before Easter, the villagers of Paricutin celebrate the birthday of the volcano. They make a pilgrimage to the site of the destroyed village.

 

7. Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe)

Victoria Falls is located on the Zambezi River in South Africa, on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The waterfall is about 1800 meters wide and 120 meters high. Victoria Falls is one of the main attractions of South Africa, belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Victoria is the only waterfall in the world that is both over 100 meters high and over a kilometer wide.

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Victoria Falls is located on the Zambezi River in South Africa, on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The waterfall is about 1800 meters wide and 120 meters high. Victoria Falls is one of the main attractions of South Africa, belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Victoria is the only waterfall in the world that is both over 100 meters high and over a kilometer wide.

Victoria is the only waterfall in the world that is both over 100 meters high and over a kilometer wide. The name of the waterfall was given by the Scottish explorer-traveler David Livingston, who visited the waterfall in 1855, naming it in honor of Queen Victoria. Among the indigenous population of these places, the waterfall was known as "Thundering Smoke".

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Victoria is the only waterfall in the world that is both over 100 meters high and over a kilometer wide. The name of the waterfall was given by the Scottish explorer-traveler David Livingston, who visited the waterfall in 1855, naming it in honor of Queen Victoria. Among the indigenous population of these places, the waterfall was known as "Thundering Smoke".

The waterfall is extremely wide, approximately 1800 meters wide, the height of the water fall varies from 80 meters at the right bank of the waterfall to 108 meters in the center. Victoria Falls is about twice the height of Niagara Falls and more than twice as wide as its main section (the "Horseshoe").

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The waterfall is extremely wide, approximately 1800 meters wide, the height of the water fall varies from 80 meters at the right bank of the waterfall to 108 meters in the center. Victoria Falls is about twice the height of Niagara Falls and more than twice as wide as its main section (the "Horseshoe").

Falling water creates spray and fog that can rise to a height of 400 meters or more. The fog created by the waterfall is visible at a distance of up to 50 kilometers. During the rainy season, more than 500 million liters of water per minute pass through the falls, due to the enormous force of the falling water, the spray rises hundreds of meters into the air.

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Falling water creates spray and fog that can rise to a height of 400 meters or more. The fog created by the waterfall is visible at a distance of up to 50 kilometers. During the rainy season, more than 500 million liters of water per minute pass through the falls, due to the enormous force of the falling water, the spray rises hundreds of meters into the air.

 

Grand Canyon in 4K quality

 

Great Barrier Reef

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Northern lights in Alaska

 

Victoria Falls 360° view from National Geographic