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Aug. 31, 2023Saguaro cacti, Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona

Massive succulents against a mountainous backdrop, underneath the sun-kissed sky—it"s prickly perfection. Pictured here are saguaro (pronounced "sah-wah-roh") cacti at Arizona"s Ironwood Forest National Monument in the Sonoran Desert of North America. Even if you haven"t seen one in person, when you hear the word cactus, you"re probably thinking of saguaro—tall, green, cylindrical, with arms pointing upward. Though they are slow growers, these plants have been known to live over 200 years and reach enormous heights, with one setting the record at 23.8 metres. Another saguaro cactus, known as "Grandaddy," survived in the sweltering desert for about 300 years, eventually succumbing to old age in the early 1990s. Cacti may not be for everyone, but they tend to grow on you (figuratively, of course)!Desktop Version

Aug. 30, 2023International Whale Shark Day

Say hello to the largest fish in the world, the whale shark. On August 30, we celebrate International Whale Shark Day to honour these magnificent marine creatures. These gentle giants are not related to whales, despite their impressive size of an average of 12 metres in length. Whale sharks are calm creatures which are usually safe for divers to swim alongside. These sharks are filter feeders and consume plankton and small fish by sieving them through their gill plates. There has been a significant decline in their populations, with an estimated 63% decrease in their numbers in the last 75 years. Threats include being hit by boats or tangled in fishing gear, and their habitats are being damaged by pollution, coastal development, and over-fishing. Advocates work through education and community engagement to help safeguard whale sharks and preserve our oceans.Desktop Version

Aug. 29, 2023Zelenci Nature Reserve, Slovenia

Experience nature"s palette at its colourful best, where visitors can witness a breathtaking natural water reserve at the meeting point of three countries, At Zelenci Springs—where Italy, Austria, and Slovenia meet near the Kranjska Gora region in Triglav National Park—multiple springs combine to form a crystal-clear, aquamarine lake, a source for the Sava Dolinka River, which feeds into the Danube River.Desktop Version

Aug. 28, 2023Dubrovnik, Croatia

Though you might instinctively watch out for invading fleets or dragons overhead, you"re more likely to encounter a tourist than a Lannister in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik. As you may know, "Game of Thrones" was filmed here frequently throughout the run of the show, and you can scarcely blame them; Dubrovnik"s Old Town is one of the best-preserved mediaeval cities in the world. For centuries, it flourished as the Republic of Ragusa, maintaining independence through diplomacy and robust trade networks. This "Pearl of the Adriatic" has withstood military bombardments and devastating earthquakes, yet the city has always rebuilt and persevered. While pop culture, history, and UNESCO World Heritage Site status are all big draws, they might be too effective: A recent report estimated that in 2019, there were 36 tourists for every resident.Desktop Version

Aug. 27, 2023Jeju Island, South Korea

The South Korean island of Jeju is full of wonders. If you don"t have a chance to visit its volcanic landscape, ancient stone statues, waterfalls, and rocky coastline, you can dive into the island"s fascinating chronicles from the comfort of your computer. The star of today"s image, Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), is the island"s rare tuff cone formation, created by an underwater volcanic eruption about 5,000 years ago. Tuff cones are also called ash cones, referring to the accumulated ash settling in a cone formation after the lava"s forceful explosion. Seongsan Ilchulbong was added to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List in 2007.Desktop Version

Aug. 26, 2023Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island, Berlin

As the summer is fading away, we find ourselves reminiscing about vacations and long hours of lively evenings. But let"s not bury the picnic days just yet! There is plenty to look forward to, especially if you are in Berlin. The Long Night of Museums only happens once a year—on the last Saturday of August since 1997—but it shakes up Museum Island and the rest of the German capital. The event series is more than a peaceful appreciation of artefacts—quite the opposite—you can expect music, talks, workshops, cocktails, dance and more from 6 PM into the small hours of the morning. Featured in today"s image, Museum Island—embraced by the Spree River—is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is home to a museum quintet: Altes, Bode, Pergamon, Neues Museums and Alte Nationalgalerie.Desktop Version

Aug. 25, 2023Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Though summer is winding down, it"s not too late to pack some gear and head into the great outdoors. There are 113,000 National Parks and similarly protected areas on Earth that you have as your options. Pictured here today is the US and the world"s first national park—Yellowstone National Park. With canyons, bubbling hot springs, erupting geysers and bison herds, this UNESCO World Heritage Site, established in 1872, today spans an area of 3,468 square miles. Its many high peaks make a scenic backdrop to meadows, rivers, lakes and forests. Just make sure that you explore them with care and appreciation so that they can be preserved for centuries to come.Desktop Version

Aug. 24, 2023Shark Fin Cove, California

Shark Fin Cove, also known as Shark Tooth Beach, is nestled in a cove in the tiny town of Davenport on California"s Central Coast. The cove is a coastal gem known for its stunning sea stack—a vertical rock formation that resembles a shark"s fin. The fin used to be connected to the mudstone cliff that surrounds the beach. Over time, the relentless crashing waves and strong winds slowly eroded the rock formation. Shark Fin Cove is visible from Highway 1, where travellers can stop and look at the expansive Pacific Ocean views.Desktop Version

Aug. 23, 2023Skógafoss waterfall, Iceland

Skógafoss waterfall in Iceland is a breathtaking natural wonder, making an impressive splash on today"s image. Skógafoss is renowned as one of the largest waterfalls in the country, with a width of 25 metres and a vertical drop of approximately 61 metres. The captivating Skógafoss frequently graces visitors with the captivating sight of vibrant single or double rainbows, formed by the refraction of sunlight through the mist. Adding to its enchanting appeal, legend has it that a treasure chest is hidden behind Skógafoss, left there by a Viking settler named Prasi Porolfsson.Desktop Version

Aug. 22, 2023Amphitheatre of El Jem, Tunisia

The Amphitheatre of El Jem is a fascinating historical site located in the Tunisian town of El Jem, known as Thysdrus in Roman times. Constructed in the 3rd century CE during the Roman Empire, the Amphitheatre of El Jem is renowned for its impressive architecture. It was built using stone blocks, had a capacity to accommodate up to 35,000 spectators, and is still one of the largest amphitheatres in the world today. The amphitheatre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and is considered one of the best-preserved examples of Roman amphitheatres in the world, almost equal in grandeur and architecture to the Colosseum in Rome.Desktop Version

Aug. 21, 2023Discovery Day in Canada

Discovery Day is an annual holiday in the Yukon commemorating the 1896 discovery of gold at Bonanza Creek that set off the Klondike Gold Rush and led to the formation of the Yukon territory. It attracted thousands of prospectors to the region in search of gold, leading to significant economic and social changes.Desktop Version

Aug. 20, 2023International Lighthouse Weekend

Every year, on this day, lighthouse enthusiasts and maritime history buffs around the world come together to celebrate International Lighthouse Weekend, which was established by the members of the Ayr Amateur Radio Group in Scotland. It aims to honour the rich history and functionality of these iconic beacons. The event also encourages lighthouse workers and owners to welcome people to view their lighthouses. These humongous structures function by utilising a combination of light, instruments, and precise engineering.Desktop Version