Seven Natural Wonders » Seven Natural Wonders of North America

Yosemite National Park

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:19:06 +0000

Quick Facts:

National park located in the state of California
Encompasses 1,189 square miles (3,081 sq km)
An elevation range from 2,000 to 13,114 feet (600 to 4,000 m)
Five different vegetation zones that include: lower montane, chaparral/oak woodlands, upper montane, subalpine, and alpine.

Yosemite National Park is a national park located in the state of California in the United States. The park encompasses 1,189 square miles (3.081 sq km) of pristine wilderness. The park has tremendous features that include mountains, waterfalls, valleys, rivers and wildlife.

The park elevation ranges from 2,000 to 13,114 feet (600 to 4,000 m) with the peak of Mount Lyell being the highest point. Probably the most notable feature is the mountain Half Dome which rises 4,737 feet ( 1,444m) above the valley floor reaching a peak of 8,842 feet (2,695 m).

There are 1,600 miles (2,600 km) of streams and rivers. The Yosemite National Park features beautiful mountain ranges, spectacular waterfalls, peaceful valleys, and plenty of wildlife.

Best way to see Yosemite National Park

More will follow on Yosemite National Park as it is declared an official or notable wonder of North America.

Best way to experience Yosemite National Park

More will follow on Yosemite National Park as it is declared an official or notable wonder of North America.

Everglades National Park

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:10:46 +0000

Quick Facts:

Largest subtropical wilderness in the United States
Home to 36 different threatened species
A wildlife haven with more than 40 species of mammals, 50 species of reptiles, 300 species of fish, and 350 species of birds
Declarations include an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance
Encompasses 1,509,000 acres (6,110 sq km) of the marshlands in southern Florida

The everglades are actually a slow moving system of rivers moving at about .25 miles (.40 km) a day. The everglades are the largest subtropical wilderness found in the United States and the park encompasses 1,509,000 acres (6,110 sq km). The Everglades National Park differs from other national parks because it was established to protect the ecosystem versus some geographic feature or significance.

The Everglades National Park has also been declared a Wetland of International Importance, a World Heritage Site, and an International Biosphere Reserve. The national park only accounts for 25% of the original marshland region. The Everglades are home to over 40 species of mammals, 50 species of reptiles, 300 species of fish, and 350 species of birds. The everglades are home to both fresh and saltwater marine life.

Most any land within the park comes from hammocks that are elevated several inches above the grassy slow forming river. The slow moving water allows the hammocks to develop and create a foundation for the large live oaks that create canopies where wildlife thrives.

Best way to see the Everglades National Park

More will follow on the Everglades National Park as it is declared an official or notable wonder North America.

Best way to experience the Everglades National Park

More will follow on the Everglades National Park as it is declared an official or notable wonder North America.

Dinosaur Provincial Park

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:10:21 +0000

Quick Facts:

One of the world’s best fossil beds
Encompasses an area of 23 square miles (61 sq km)
Over 300 dinosaur skeletons have been found here
35 different species

One of the world’s best fossil beds that has revealed over 300 dinosaur skeletons from 35 different species. The park is made up of a valley that is 2 miles (3 km) wide and over 394 feet (120 km) deep.

Dinosaur Provincial Park is similar to Dinosaur National Monument in the United States in that it was a flood plain where the dinosaurs grazed. This made it easy for the dinosaurs to be buried during a flash flood.

Best way to see Dinosaur Provincial Park

More will follow on Dinosaur Provincial Park as it is declared an official or notable wonder of North America.

Best way to experience Dinosaur Provincial Park

More will follow on Dinosaur Provincial Park as it is declared an official or notable wonder of North America.

Copper Canyon

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:10:00 +0000

Quick Facts:

A group of canyons that collectively surpass the length of the Grand Canyon

Copper Canyon represents a system of canyons that collectively larger than the Grand Canyon in Arizona, United States and deeper in some locations. There are six distinct canyons that contribute to the Copper Canyon system.

Best way to see Copper Canyon

More will follow on Copper Canyon as it is declared an official or notable wonder of North America.

Best way to experience Copper Canyon

More will follow on Copper Canyon as it is declared an official or notable wonder of North America.

Bay of Fundy

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:09:08 +0000

Quick Facts:

Reported as having the highest tidal range in the world

The Bay of Fundy is located along the northeast coast with most of it aligning with the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The bay is known for having the greatest tidal range in the world.

Best way to see the Bay of Fundy

More will follow on the Bay of Fundy as it is declared an official or notable wonder North America.

Best way to experience the Bay of Fundy

More will follow on the Bay of Fundy as it is declared an official or notable wonder North America.

Yellowstone National Park

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:08:37 +0000

Quick Facts:

The first national park established in 1872
Key features are the various ecosystems available in the park
Spans 3,468 square miles (8,983 sq km)

Yellowstone National Park became the first national park in 1872 when congress set the park boundaries aside as a wonder of nature. The geothermal features, waterfalls, varying ecosystems, and wildlife combine to create a phenomenal encounter with nature. The park is primarily located in the state of Wyoming in the United States.

Yellowstone encompasses 3,468 square miles (8,983 sq km) of spectacular scenery, ecological features and abundant wildlife. Visitors will also find canyons, rivers and mountain ranges during an exploration of the park system. One of the most notable geothermal features is the geyser known as “Old Faithful.” Although the intermittent time between geyser eruptions has changed over the years, it erupts faithfully throughout the day.

Yellowstone is home to hundreds of species of mammals, reptiles, birds and fish, many of which are either threatened or endangered. Some of the notable wildlife include grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, buffalo (bison), and elk.

Approximately half of the world’s geothermal features are located within Yellowstone National Park. As the largest supervolcano on the continent, the Yellowstone Caldera is still considered an active volcano which supports much of the geothermal features experienced in the park.

Best way to see Yellowstone National Park

More will follow on Yellowstone National Park as it is declared an official or notable wonder of North America.

Best way to experience Yellowstone National Park

More will follow on Yellowstone National Park as it is declared an official or notable wonder of North America.

Redwood National Forest

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:59:20 +0000

Quick Facts:

Tallest trees in the world
Covers approximately 131,983 acres (534.12 sq km)
Follows and protects 37 miles of the coastline

Redwood National Forest is comprised of the official Redwood National Park and Redwood State Park and located in northern California. Although the Redwood forest once exceeded two million acres (8,100 sq km), mining and logging has reduced the forest down to the current protected areas which cover a collective area of 131,983 acres (534.12 sq km). The Redwood forest runs along 37 miles (60 km) of the northern California coastline.

The Redwood, Sequoia sempervirens, are the tallest trees in the world. Apart from the grandeur of the trees, the Redwood National Forest also provides protection to several threatened species that include: Northern Spotted Owl, Brown Pelican, Tidewater Goby, Bald Eagle, Steller’s Sea Lion, and the Chinook Salmon.

Best way to see the Redwoods National Forest

More will follow on the Redwoods National Forest as it is declared an official or notable wonder of North America.

Best way to experience the Redwoods National Forest

More will follow on the Redwoods National Forest as it is declared an official or notable wonder of North America.

Mount McKinley

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:58:58 +0000

Quick Facts:

The highest mountain peak in North America
The peak reaches 20,320 feet (6,194 m) into the sky
The base to peak is a higher rise in elevation than Mount Everest and is the greatest rise from any land based mountain

Mount McKinley, also known as “The Great One” or Denali, is the highest peak on any mountain in North America. The rise in elevation from the base to the peak is significantly greater than Mount Everest. The Everest base starts out on the Tibetan Plateau which sits at an elevation of 17,000 feet (5,200 m) which means that the vertical rise is approximately 12,000 feet (3,700 m). The base of Mount McKinley starts out at approximately 2,000 foot (610 m) plateau which means that the vertical rise is approximately 18,000 feet (5,500 m).

Best way to see Mount McKinley

More will follow on Mount McKinley as it is declared an official or notable wonder North America.:

Best way to experience Mount McKinley

More will follow on the Mount McKinley as it is declared an official or notable wonder North America.

Great Blue Hole

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:58:37 +0000

Quick Facts:

Underwater sink hole measuring 984 feet (300 m) across and is 394 feet (120 m) deep
One of the top 10 best scuba diving spots in the world

The Great Blue Hole is located off the coast of Belize; it is found in the middle of the Lighthouse Reef ecosystem. The Great Blue Hole is a underwater sinkhole that measures 984 feet (300 m) across. The sink hole plunges 394 feet (120 m) deep and provides divers with a crystal clear haven for exploring this underwater wonder.

The Great Blue Hole and surrounding reef are commonly home to the Caribbean Reef Shark, the Blacktip Shark, nurse sharks, giant groupers, and abundant other aquatic life. Although not routinely seen, the sinkhole and surrounding reef have also been home to the bull shark and the hammerhead shark.

Best way to see the Great Blue Hole

More will follow on the Great Blue Hole as it is declared an official or notable wonder of North America.

Best way to experience the Great Blue Hole

More will follow on the Great Blue Hole as it is declared an official or notable wonder of North America.

Crystal Caves

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:58:15 +0000

Quick Facts:

Located on the Island of Bermuda
Features a 55 feet deep azure blue underground lake

The Crystal Cave is a 55 feet deep blue underground lake found on the island of Bermuda. The cave features a variety of formations that include: soda straws and stalactites. The water is crystal clear allowing visitors to view formations at the bottom of the 55 feet deep underground lake.

Best way to see the Crystal Caves

More will follow on the Crystal Caves as it is declared an official or notable wonder of North America.

Best way to experience the Crystal Caves

More will follow on the Crystal Caves as it is declared an official or notable wonder of North America.