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Mada in Saleh, Saudi Arabia
Mada in Saleh, Saudi Arabia
About 2,000 years ago, Mada"in Saleh, or Hegra as the Romans called it, was a thriving city of the Nabataean Kingdom, and a center for the trade of spices, incense, and myrrh, a valuable tree resin used to make perfume and medicine. The Nabataeans were Arab people whose precise origins are unknown. They lived in northern Arabia and the Southern Levant. Mada"in Saleh was their second-largest and southernmost city after Petra, their capital city to the north. About halfway between Petra and Mecca, Mada"in Saleh served primarily as a trading crossroads and was instrumental in establishing the Nabataeans as prosperous middlemen to the rest of the ancient world.Desktop Version
International Beaver Day
International Beaver Day
Behold the mighty beaver, nature"s engineer. They fell trees with their massive orange incisors, using the wood to build two main structures, the dam, which creates a pond in which they can build their living quarters—the lodge. A beaver uses a lodge to hide from predators, store food, rest, and protect their offspring.Desktop Version
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in Costa Rica
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in Costa Rica
Today we"re taking a walk through the clouds to visit one of the most beautiful and biodiverse places on the planet. Costa Rica"s Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is in the Tilarán mountain range 5,000 feet above sea level. Hundreds of animal species and thousands of insect and plant species call the forest home. Diligent nature lovers could count nearly 700 types of butterflies and 500 species of orchids during a visit. Famous in the scientific community, the forest also attracts more than 70,000 tourists a year.Desktop Version
Galeries Lafayette, Paris
Galeries Lafayette, Paris
Surely one of the grandest stores found in any city is the Galeries Lafayette in Paris. It"s not just a place to shop but a destination as popular as any in the City of Light. At a time when department stores are fading and the entire retail industry is shifting, the Galeries Lafayette holds fast. It has survived financial crises, wars, and now the internet, remaining a celebrated part of life in Paris. Like Macy"s or Rockefeller Center in New York, the Galeries Lafayette is synonymous with the holidays. A giant fir is decorated every holiday season under the store"s signature stained glass dome—a ritual of Christmas cheer that Parisians have embraced for generations.Desktop Version
Happy birthday, Capitol Reef National Park
Happy birthday, Capitol Reef National Park
You won"t find a lot of solitude on the Hickman Bridge Trail, a 1.7-mile route in Capitol Reef National Park that leads to this magnificent natural arch. The trail is used by hikers, runners, and nature lovers drawn by incredible rock formations, gullies, and remnants from the ancient Fremont Culture civilization. Hickman Bridge itself is one of the best-known geologic features of the park.Desktop Version
A Flag Day tradition
A Flag Day tradition
Because it"s Flag Day in the US, we"re at the site of what"s believed to be the largest free-flying US flag in the land. It"s crowning the George Washington Bridge connecting Manhattan with Fort Lee, New Jersey. For those crossing the Hudson today, Old Glory will be on full display on the New Jersey tower, at least between the hours of 7 AM and 1:15 PM, after which New York Port Authority workers will reel the 60-by-90-foot, 450-pound nylon flag back into the tube where it"s housed, suspended hundreds of feet above the busy crossing. The flag is set to come out again on July 4, and if you can"t catch it then, you"ll still have a chance to see this enormous flag a few more times this year, as it is scheduled to fly again on Labor Day, September 11, and Veteran"s Day.Desktop Version
Humpback whales in Maui, Hawaii
Humpback whales in Maui, Hawaii
If you ever want to feel insignificant, just think about the sheer size of a humpback whale. With adults growing up to 56 feet long, humpback whales are one of the biggest mammals on Earth. In February, Hawaii celebrates the return of these migrating giants with its Maui Whale Festival. This month-long event encourages people to get involved in conservation efforts and includes whale-watching tours, allowing closer views of these beautiful creatures.Desktop Version
Barcelona bids farewell to summer
Barcelona bids farewell to summer
Every year, for four days in September, locals and tourists flock to one of Barcelona’s biggest events, La Mercè Festival. It got its beginnings in 1687 when Barcelona was suffering from a plague of locusts. In desperation, city officials voted to ask for the assistance of La Mare de Déu de la Mercè (the Virgin of Mercy). Eventually, having been delivered from the pestilence, the officials named the Virgin of Mercy the patroness of Barcelona, and an annual festival has been celebrated in her honor in the city ever since.Desktop Version
Bridge of Hillsborough County
Bridge of Hillsborough County
The Hancock-Greenfield Bridge (aka County Bridge) has offered a picturesque passage over the Contoocook River in southern New Hampshire since 1937. It was built to replace another covered bridge that had been destroyed in a flood. But why even build a covered bridge? In a word, longevity. The roof and walls help protect the timber supports from rot. For comparison, an uncovered wooden bridge lasts an average of 20 years, while the covered variety can reach 100 years or more.Desktop Version
Lake Peipus, Estonia
Lake Peipus, Estonia
Lake Peipus, the fifth-largest lake in Europe, dates back hundreds of millions of years to the Paleozoic Era and is known for its sand dunes, which can "sing" when the wind blows just right. In the winter the frozen lake surface may feature ice hummocks, as seen in this image. The hummocks are caused by slow, uneven pressure in the ice pack.Desktop Version
Zelenci Nature Reserve, Slovenia
Zelenci Nature Reserve, Slovenia
Experience nature"s palette at its colorful best at Zelenci Springs, where Italy, Austria, and Slovenia meet, and multiple springs combine to form this aquamarine lake. Here in Slovenia’s Triglav National Park, these crystal-clear waters are the source of the Sava Dolinka, which runs into the country’s longest river, the Sava. Peer closely at the lakebed and you will see tiny springs bubbling up beneath the water"s surface. These spring waters never freeze as underground water temperatures stay around 41 degrees Fahrenheit, enough to keep flowing through harsh winters in this alpine region.Desktop Version
World Children s Day
World Children s Day
For World Children"s Day, we"re featuring an aerial view of a larger-than-life painting on the summit of the Moléson in the Swiss Prealps. The 16,000-square-foot fresco is titled "Un Nouveau Souffle" (A New Breath) and depicts a child blowing clouds toward the horizon. It was created by French-Swiss artist Saype—real name Guillaume Legros—who is known for his grassy graffiti around the world. The eco-friendly artist uses biodegradable paints made from natural pigments such as coal and chalk, so by the time you read this, his land art will have already disappeared into the soil.Desktop Version
Mute swans
Mute swans
These proverbial "ugly ducklings" are anything but. Soon, they will indeed grow up to become graceful swans. The young mute swans, called cygnets, are sheltered under mom"s tail feathers in the Massapequa Preserve on Long Island, New York, a tranquil oasis in the suburban sprawl of Nassau County.Desktop Version
Füzér Castle in the Zemplén Mountains, Hungary
Füzér Castle in the Zemplén Mountains, Hungary
Hungary is a country blessed with stunning landscapes and a host of historic castles. From the opulent Buda Castle in Budapest, with its commanding views of the Danube, to Eger Castle, renowned for its heroic defense against the Turks, each site has a story to tell.Desktop Version
Umschreibung by Olafur Eliasson in Munich
Umschreibung by Olafur Eliasson in Munich
Making a New Year"s resolution to boost your fitness? Let us present National Take the Stairs Day. (You"re welcome.) The annual event began informally in 2016 and was later adopted by the American Lung Association. It"s an ingenious way to nudge people to exercise—most of us encounter stairs during our day, so there"s really no excuse. Climbing stairs is a low-impact activity that raises your heart rate and burns calories.Desktop Version
Mother s Day
Mother s Day
Among mothers, few can claim as deep a bond with her baby as a koala mom. Because her pregnancy lasts only a month—likely making her the envy of other mammal mothers—her baby emerges into her embrace still in the embryonic stage, about the size of a jellybean. Mom will spend the next year carrying her baby, called a joey, either inside her pouch or on her back, a feat that makes her annual Mother"s Day card well-earned.Desktop Version
World Philosophy Day
World Philosophy Day
On World Philosophy Day, we"re in Athens, the capital of Greece, the birthplace of Western philosophy and democracy. The iconic Acropolis, the ancient citadel that towers over Athens, and its most famous monument, the Parthenon, remind us of the brilliant minds of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Ancient Greek philosophy focused on critical thinking and questioning and started a revolution of rationale that is still shaping our society today. UNESCO recognizes the profound impact philosophy has on human thought, cultures, and individuals on World Philosophy Day. Take time today to discover the depths of the "love of wisdom"!Desktop Version
Agüero, Huesca province, Spain
Agüero, Huesca province, Spain
Huddled beneath these pink-gray stone monoliths is the pretty village of Agüero, in Huesca province, northern Spain. The textured cliffs known as the Mallos de Agüero act as a 660-foot-high backdrop to this picturesque village, drawing both climbers and photographers keen on capturing the perfect shot. This hidden gem in the foothills of the Pyrenees has about 130 residents and is popular with tourists, thanks to the 12th-century Church of Santiago. A national monument with intricate stone carvings of beasts and religious scenes, the church was never finished but is considered one of this region"s most beautiful Romanesque temples. If you consider yourself a history buff, a rock climber, or both, put Agüero on your travel list.Desktop Version
Star Wars Day
Star Wars Day
May the Fourth be with you! The "Star Wars" universe has captured the imagination of fans for decades and its impact, like the "Force," is all around us. The original 1977 film introduced us to a galaxy far, far away, a cast of unforgettable characters, and a gripping battle between good and evil. Its reach has since extended to television, books, comics, theme parks, thousands of products, and a day of its own to celebrate the much-loved sci-fi franchise.Desktop Version
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Legend has it that tea was first brewed accidentally around 2737 BC in China thanks to a strong wind and some loose leaves. If you find that hard to swallow, there are other origin stories to choose from. However, one thing is certain—the feeling it stirs in tea drinkers worldwide. From gongfu tea practice in China to darye in Korea, there are plenty of fascinating tea cultures to savor. Tea tourism has gained popularity, with visitors to tea plantations and estates learning all about their history. Our homepage image shows one such place, Nuwara Eliya"s Edinburgh Estate in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya"s colonial-era buildings and mist-shrouded tea gardens have earned it the name "Little England." The area is known for producing some of the world"s finest orange pekoe tea. So, for your next trip, are you willing to "chai" something new?Desktop Version
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park
These arrowleaf balsamroot wildflowers, commonly known as Oregon sunflowers, have a grand view of the Grand Tetons from the valley below the towering range. The region"s harsh weather means that only the hardiest of wildflowers can survive, and the bright yellow arrowleaves fit the bill. The plants are drought-tolerant, impervious to winter, tenacious against trampling, and even fire-resistant, with a taproot that regenerates leaves and flowers after the top has burned.Desktop Version
Mitsumata blossoms
Mitsumata blossoms
Stress seems to melt away when you gaze at this serene forest protecting the mitsumata blossoms below. While the flowering buds are beautiful in their natural state, the mitsumata shrub (Edgeworthia chrysantha) has so much more to offer. Originally brought from China to Japan by monks, the green plant is now a staple of Japanese papermaking and one of three principal ingredients in washi, traditional Japanese paper. No wonder, then, that it"s also known as the Oriental paperbush. Mitsumata washi is dense and holds ink well—it"s a favorite of artists and calligraphers—and sheets of mitsumata paper are also used in traditional shoji screens.Desktop Version
Indian Independence Day
Indian Independence Day
At 8 miles in circumference, the Chittorgarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India, a nation with scores of ancient and medieval fortresses. For starters there are seven massive gates from which to enter. Inside you"ll find four palaces and 19 temples. At one time there were almost 100 bodies of water, most of them ponds fed by natural catchment and rainfall, although now there are only 20. Chittorgarh ("garh" means "fort," so it"s also known as Chittor Fort) is so old, no one is sure exactly when it was built, although reports of its earliest capture go back to the 8th century. It is one of six large forts in the northwestern state of Rajasthan referred to as the Hill Forts of Rajasthan, all of them collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We"re featuring this important and ancient complex on India"s 75th Independence Day, one of India"s three national holidays.Desktop Version
Star Wars Day
Star Wars Day
This otherworldly desert landscape in Jordan might look familiar to "Star Wars" fans, who today can"t be blamed for blessing each other with the tired pun, "May the Fourth be with you." That"s right, today is Star Wars Day, an annual celebration every May 4 of all things "Star Wars." Wadi Rum, aka Valley of the Moon, in southern Jordan, stood in for the moon Jedha in "Rogue One," and for the planet Pasaana in "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker." It is easy to see why this desolate landscape was chosen to mimic an alien world.Desktop Version
Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany
Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany
This Eurasian wolf, curled up for a winter nap in the Bavarian Forest National Park, can rest easy knowing it is an apex predator around these parts. This park covers 93 square miles of the wider forest, where it sits on Germany"s border with Czechia. The softly rolling mountains Great Rachel, Little Rachel, and Little Arber pose modest challenges for hikers as they wander through stands of Norway spruce. The forest teems with life, including lynxes, bears, pygmy owls, and Eurasian wolves, like our sleepy homepage friend. These wolves form a close-knit pack led by an alpha pair and have been spotted in the park after decades of being hunted out of Western Europe.Desktop Version