By Sharnelle Kan
10. Dead Sea (Israel)
Where does the Dead Sea get its name? Containing almost 6 times more salt than other bodies of water, this sea prevents any living organism from living in or near the water!
9. Racetrack Playa (Death Valley, California)
Every few years, mysterious things happen at Racetrack Playa. Rocks weighing over 30 kg (80 pounds) will move a couple of yards on their own. Supernatural and natural forces have all been attributed to the strange phenomenon of these “sailing stones”.
8. Mauna Kea (Hawaii)
While Mount Everest may be the tallest mountain above sea level, Mauna Kea is actually taller from its base to its top. Meaning “white mountain” in Hawaiian, it is an inactive volcano that last erupted 4,500 years ago. Now, Mauna Kea is known as a great place for skiing, snowboarding and observing the stars.
7. Stonehenge (Wiltshire, England)
Some believe the construction of Stonehenge, which began in 3,100 BC, was to worship gods, while others think that it was a burial ground for important people. Either way, the structure is a remarkable display of strength and teamwork: the gigantic stones used in the outer ring weigh up to 50 tonnes, which would have required an estimated 600 men to transport.
6. Machu Picchu (Peru)
Rising approximately 2,430 m above sea level, Machu Picchu (“Old Peak”) is a city that dates back to Incan civilization and was used as a royal estate and religious retreat. Its population died out due to smallpox, leaving Machu Picchu to become a lost city until it was rediscovered in 1911.
5. Morning Glory Pool (Idaho and Wyoming)
Lurking beneath the serene surface of this body of water in Yellowstone National Park is molten rock as hot as 2,000 degrees! That’s because the pool sits on top of an enormous underground volcano.
4. Ayers Rock (Northern Territory, Australia)
About 9.4 km in diameter, Uluru (a.k.a. Ayers Rock) is a gigantic sandstone formation in central Australia. Aboriginal people believe it to be sacred and many myths surround it, including one that curses anyone who removes a rock from the formation.
3. Great Barrier Reef (Off the coast of northeastern Australia)
Boasting over 1,500 species of tropical fish, the Great Barrier Reef is the only living thing visible from space! It reaches over 1,800 miles in length and offers divers a vivid and exciting view of life underwater.
2. Great Wall of China (China)
The Great Wall was built in the Qin dynasty as a defence against invasions from the north. Stretching almost 5,500 miles long, the Great Wall is the only manmade structure that is visible from space. Wow!
1. Bermuda Triangle (Bermuda, Miami and San Juan)
Large ships and aircraft will often disappear unexpectedly in this area of the Atlantic Ocean. Scientists have no explanation for this and so the Bermuda Triangle is recognized as one of the most paranormal places in the world.