THE AWESOMENESS OF THE COMPILATION OF ALL THESE PICTURES AROUND THE WORLD!
CREDIT TO DIFFERENT PHOTOGRAPHERS AROUND THE GLOBE!
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Swiss Alps in Switzerland
From high peaks to green valleys, clear lakes to snowy slopes, the Swiss Alps remains one of nature’s pristine beauties. Covering about 65 percent of the country, it comprises high mountains such as Dufourspitze, Dom, Weisshorn and Matterhorn.
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Iguazu Falls in Brazil and Argentina
This waterfall system consists of 275 falls which run for 1.67 miles (2.7 kilometers). The river acts as part of the national border between Argentina and Brazil, offering spectacular views of both countries.
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Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal
A popular royal residence of the Portuguese monarchy from the 15th to the 19th centuries, this beautiful medieval palace is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Sintra's best-known tourist attraction.
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Petra in Jordan
Also known as the "Rose City" due to the color of stones from which it is carved out, Petra housed as many as 30,000 people between 300 and 100 B.C. However, it was later abandoned for unknown reasons. Its rock-cut architecture make it an unmissable sight for visitors in Jordan, and the site has featured in many Hollywood movies.
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Las Lajas Sanctuary in Ipiales, Colombia
Built inside the canyon of the Guaitara river, this basilica was constructed in Gothic Revival style between 1916 and 1949. It has been a pilgrim destination since the 18th century, with many claiming to have experienced miracles at the church.
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Palace of Westminster in London, UK
Since the 16th century, the palace has housed the English Parliament. Prior to this, it was used as a royal residence for four centuries. The current building was completed in 1870, replacing the fire-damaged Old Palace.
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The Comb of the Wind in Gipuzkoa, Spain
These steel sculptures were designed by Eduardo Chillida and fused into the rocks over the Cantabrian Sea. Their tortured shapes offer a dramatic frame for the stormy seascape.
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Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
The tower began tilting during construction, probably due to poor foundation work and the soft ground it is built on. Its (possibly fictional) association with the great thinker Galileo, coupled with its enduring beauty and the famous tilt, make it one of the most well-known pieces of architecture on the planet.
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Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque because of the blue tiles that adorn its interior walls. It witnessed history in 2006 when Pope Benedict XVI became only the second pope to visit a Muslim place of worship.
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Florence Cathedral in Florence, Italy
Commonly called the "Duomo" (cathedral), its real name is Santa Maria del Fiore (Saint Mary of the Flower). With a dome created by legendary Brunelleschi and frescoes by Andrea del Castagno, Domenico di Michelino and others, it is an icon of the Italian Renaissance even by Florentine standards.
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Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, Denmark
Regarded one of the most iconic statues symbolizing a city, the bronze and granite sculpture was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of the same name. Designed by Edvard Eriksen, the 4.1-feet-tall (1.25 meters) figure was commissioned by Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen.
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Windmills at Kinderdijk in Netherlands
Built around 1740, the group of 19 windmills is one of the best-known tourist sites of the country. Symbolizing water management, they help is preventing floods in the surrounding low-lying areas. The national monuments were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
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Loch Ness in Highland, UK
Believed to be the home of the mythical Loch Ness Monster, fondly known as Nessie, the deep, freshwater lake in Scotland is a scenic delight. Situated at an altitude of 52 feet (16 meters) above sea level, it is surrounded by charming villages of Drumnadrochit and Fort Augustus.
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Le Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, France
The mesmerizing island, with its medieval monastery, is one of France’s most recognizable landmarks and is visited by over three million people annually.
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Bran Castle in Romania
Believed to be the fabled home of Bram Stoker’s iconic vampire, Count Dracula, the picturesque castle is located on the border of Transylvania and Wallachia in Romania. It has been converted into a museum for the incredible collection of art and furniture of Queen Maria.
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Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany
Built on the orders of Frederick William II, King of Prussia, the 18th century neoclassical structure was built during the Batavian Revolution. A site of major historical events, the gates serve as an entry to Unter den Linden, a boulevard in the central Mitte, Berlin.
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Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain
Construction of the imposing Roman Catholic church began in 1882 under architect Francisco Paula de Villar. It was taken over by Antoni Gaudí in 1883, who transformed its design with elements of Gothic and Art Nouveau. The minor basilica, which is still under construction, was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.
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Uluru in Australia
Situated in the heart of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, the massive limestone rock is one of Australia’s most iconic symbols. A sacred spot to the aboriginal tribe of the area, Uluru offers breathtaking sunrise and sunset views as it appears to change colors.
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Mount Fuji in Japan
Located on Honshu Island, the active volcano is situated at a height of 12,389 feet (3,776.24 meters) above sea level. Its symmetrical cone, which remains snow-capped for almost five months a year, has been an inspiration for poets, artists and photographers for centuries. Together with Mount Tate and Mount Haku, it forms the Three Holy Mountains of the nation.
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Stonehenge in Wiltshire, UK
An English cultural icon, the prehistoric monument comprises a ring of standing stones — each around 13 feet high (4.1 meters) and 6 feet 11 inches wide (2.1 meters). Believed to have taken around 1,500 years to erect, it is visited by nearly one million people annually. It was listed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
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United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Often called the Capitol Building, this impressive architectural wonder is home to the U.S. Congress. Located at the eastern end of National Mall, it has over 600 rooms and is widely recognized for its massive dome. Its construction began in 1793, with a distinctive 19th century neoclassical style.
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Mount Everest in Nepal
The world’s highest mountain is situated at an altitude of 29,029 feet (8,848 meters) in the Mahalangur Himal range of the Himalayas. Since its first ascent by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary in 1953, it has attracted hundreds of mountaineers from across the world.
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Colosseum in Rome, Italy
Commissioned by Emperor Vespasian in 72 A.D., the oval amphitheater is built of concrete and sand. For four centuries, it was used for gladiator battles, chariot races, executions and reenactments of mythological dramas. While two-thirds of it has been destroyed, it remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy.
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Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, UK
One of the most famous natural attractions of Ireland, the cliffs reach about 702 feet (214 meters) over the Atlantic Ocean at their highest point. On a clear day, visitors can view the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, the Twelve Pins and the Maumturks mountain ranges.
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Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem
The shrine is built on a sacred stone and a gold-plated dome was added to the original structure many years later, scholars suggest. The marble and mosaic were also added to the structure centuries later. Although it has been rebuilt over the years, the last major work was performed on it in 1035.
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