
Horseshoe Bend, Arizona. Close to the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park, Horseshoe Bend is within easy walking distance of the nearest road.
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In celebration of Earth Day – From lush African forests to vast Latin American deserts, watery Balkan paradises to ancient Middle Eastern cities, here are our picks for the world’s top breathtaking, beautiful destinations.
The world’s a spectacular place, full of hidden and overt beauty in every corner. But beauty’s also subjective. It’d be impossible to get a unanimous decision on the most beautiful places around the world — but we think this list is a good start to plan your travels and destinations; CNN
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

Dense, lush and otherworldly, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the last redoubts of the mountain gorilla. Over 400 call this UNESCO-protected national park home, with the chance for visitors to trek to and meet habituated groups. Its biodiversity extends far beyond its most famous inhabitants, however; 348 bird species and 220 butterfly species can be found within its 331-square-kilometre expanse.
Samburu, Kenya

Thanks to its relative inaccessibility, Samburu, in the heart of Kenya, is a haven for some of Africa’s most beguiling wildlife. The grassland and acacia-dotted landscapes of its national reserve are home to the endangered reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra, as well as the pioneering Elephant Watch Camp, run by conservationist Saba Douglas-Hamilton.
Mount Toubkal, Morocco

At 4,167 meters, Mount Toubkal lays claim to the title of “the roof of North Africa.” The path to its summit zigzags across empty valleys, past holy shrines and up steep snowfields before emerging onto a ridge that falls away to give climbers unrivalled views across the Atlas Mountains. It’s a peaceful world away from the buzz of nearby Marrakech.
Significance of Earth Day 2020
Earth Day 2020 is an event observed annually on April 22. It is a day held to demonstrate and promote environmental awareness and calls for the protection of our planet. Today, Earth Day, 2020 is celebrated in more than 193 countries each year.
History of Earth Day
The equinoctial Earth Day is celebrated on the March equinox (around March 20) to mark the precise moment of astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and of astronomical autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. An equinox in astronomy is that point in time (not a whole day) when the Sun is directly above the Earth’s equator, occurring around March 20 and September 23 each year.
The history of Earth Day 2020 dates back to 1970 when it was first celebrated in 1970. It was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson to promote ecology and the respect for life on the planet as well as to encourage awareness of the growing problems of air, water and soil pollution. The first Earth Day celebrations took place in two thousand colleges and universities, roughly ten thousand primary and secondary schools, and hundreds of communities across the United States … Calendar – 365.com
MORE TRAVEL AND TOURISM PHOTOS
Atacama Desert, Chile. With the clearest skies on Earth, a tent in Chile’s Atacama Desert is the perfect way to stargaze.
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Ciudad Perdida, Colombia. Known as “The Lost City,” these ancient ruins are believed to pre-date Peru’s Machu Picchu by as much as 650 years.
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Denali National Park, Alaska. Home to North America’s highest peak, Denali National Park protects six million acres of wild space, along with the moose and bears living there.
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Dominica. Known as the nature island, this tiny Caribbean state is home to lovely coastlines, hot springs and rainforest treks.
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El Nido, Philippines. El Nido offers access to the limestone peaks of the Bacuit Archipelago, as well as some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and captivating dive sites.
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Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. One of the most popular natural attractions in South East Asia, Ha Long Bay is home to 1,969 islets of hulking limestone and deep, green waters that are home to myriad floating villages.
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Kata Tjuta, Australia. The Anandu people, who have lived here for over 22,000 years, manage this land — one of the most sacred in Aboriginal culture — with Australian park authorities.
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Lake Bled, Slovenia. Amid thebackdrop of the Julian Alps, Lake Bled has become an iconic European destination for hiking and swimming.
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Lake District, United Kingdom. The UNESCO-protected Lake District is an inspiration for artists, wanderers and those seeking calm.
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Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica. This muggy, damp environment is home to lovely winding trails and an array of birds, big cats and insects.
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Monument Valley, Utah. The bright red mesas and buttes standing high above the desert, where director John Ford shot many movies, are the stuff of American movie legend.
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Petra, Jordan. Explore the perfectly preserved ancient Nabatean city of Petra on camel back or strap on your walking boots and hike around its walkways. This is a sunset view of Ad Deir (The Monastery).
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Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia. While Croatia is already known as the ultimate European outdoor escape, Plitvice Lakes National Park is home to one of its most arresting sites: 16 lakes connected via waterfalls.
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Positano, Italy. One of the most beautiful villages in Europe, Positano is known for its killer boutiques and waterside restaurants and the Byzantine Church of Maria Assunta.
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Rotorua, New Zealand. Located on New Zealand’s North Island, Rotorua is home to geothermal waters, Maori culture, forests to explore and the Tarawera Ultra Marathon (Ryan Sandes is seen here training for it in February).
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The Maldives. There’s plenty of beach to enjoy with over 100 private resorts and guesthouses around the Male and Ari atolls. The beach on Ihuru Island on North Male Atoll is shown here.
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Vancouver Island, Canada. Visitors can spot grizzlies, elk and orcas on this island, which is also home to 2,000 miles of coastline, almost 10,000 lakes and acres of soaring mountains.
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