El Mirador – ancient Maya metropolis

La Danta pyramid in El Mirador - one of the largest pyramids in the world. El Tigre pyramid is seen in the background, to the left

Ruins of Maya city that flourished around the 9th century AD. At times here were living more than 100 000 people – thus it was one of the largest cities in the world then. The central part of the city takes some 26 km². The tallest pyramids are more than 70 m tall (La Danta) and belong to the largest constructions in the ancient world. There are other enormous pyramids: El Tigre is 55 m tall, Los Monos – 48 m tall.

Grotta dello Smeraldo – Emerald Grotto

Emerald glow in Grotta dello Smeraldo, Italy

Partly submerged cave in Amalfi Coast, Italy. Sunlight enters the cave indirectly – through the seawater and most of the visible spectrum is absorbed. Thus the water in one corner of the cave shines in a beautiful emerald green-blue color.

Leon Cathedral of the Assumption

Cathedral of the Assumption, León in Nicaragua

Beautiful cathedral in Baroque – Neo-Classicism style, constructed in 1747 – 1814. The largest church building in Central America that forms a part of the identity of Nicaragua. Numerous tunnels connect this cathedral to other buildings in the city.

Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar

Avenue of the Baobabs near Morondava

Beautiful alignment of Madagascaran baobabs Adansonia grandidieri Baillon. A group of stout, majestic, up to 30 meters high baobabs are located around a dirt road, creating a unique landscape. The landscape is not natural – initially the roughly 800 years old trees were growing in a dense forest that has been cleared away.

Joya de Cerén (Joya de Ceren)

Joya de Cerén. Structure 12 in the forefront, with lattice detail - possible workplace of female shaman. Traces of mural reainin on its walls

Maya settlement, buried under 4 – 8 m thick layer of volcanic ash that was erupted by Loma crater sometimes around 610 – 670 AD. Buildings and home utensils have been preserved in exceptionally good condition and provide valuable information about the daily lives of people in this community. Even cultivated fields of maize, agave, and other herbs have been preserved.

Great Mosque of Djenne (Djenné)

Great Mosque of Djenné, Mali

The largest adobe building in the world with a unique design. The first mosque here since the 13th century. The current structure was built in 1907 or 1909.

Nata Church (Natá Church)

Natá Church, Panama

Possibly the oldest church in Panama and mainland America, founded by the Spanish on May 20, 1522. This beautiful Renaissance-Baroque structure is in a good condition.