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SantaPark, Lapland, Finland
SantaPark, Lapland, Finland
Deep in the snowy landscape of Finnish Lapland is a city that claims to be the official hometown of Santa Claus. Rovaniemi is a gateway to the Arctic Circle and a destination where reality and folklore merge. Visitors can watch the Northern Lights, explore the Arctic wilderness, and experience the magic of Christmas at various Santa-themed attractions, including SantaPark, an underground theme park designed to emulate the cavern home of the man himself, and the Santa Claus Village. The entrance to SantaPark, lit by glowing lights, is pictured on our homepage today. Other attractions in Rovaniemi include a hotel built from snow and ice, a popular ski resort, and horse sleigh rides around a vast frozen lake.Desktop Version
The Guggenheim Bilbao turns 25
The Guggenheim Bilbao turns 25
Considered one of the world"s most important architectural works of the past few decades, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao celebrates its 25th anniversary today. To commemorate the event, the museum has unveiled a slogan: "Art Inspires Future." The museum has also released a special edition of its logo in which the characteristic Gs of the Guggenheim brand move like gears to shape the number 25. Perhaps they"ll serve cake as well?Desktop Version
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act marks 42 years
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act marks 42 years
On this day in 1980, the single largest expansion of protected lands in history doubled the size of the US National Park System. As a result, Alaska now has eight national parks, plus numerous monuments and preserves that protect more than 157 million total acres. When President Jimmy Carter signed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, the public was granted the right to appreciate stunning locations like the one in today"s photo: the braided river delta of the 51-mile-long Tlikakila River in Lake Clark National Park.Desktop Version
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Dashing through the snow on our homepage today, reindeer, or caribou as they are known here in North America, have been synonymous with Christmas for two centuries. American writer Clement Clarke Moore is credited with popularizing them as Santa"s helpers in the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," first published in 1823. And no wonder Santa picked them. With two layers of fur and eyes that adapt to the Arctic"s shifting light levels, reindeer are very versatile. You likely won"t see them fly, but you might find a herd migrating from tundra to forest in the North Polar Region, North America, Northern Europe, or Siberia. Their hooves can expand or shrink according to ground conditions, keeping their heavy frame stable on soft ground in summer, ice in winter, and steep rooftops at Christmas. If you"re celebrating Christmas today, we wish you a merry one.Desktop Version
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Carved by time, wind, and water, Capitol Reef National Park showcases rust-hued cliffs and the natural beauty of the American West. The park was named after a series of Navajo sandstone domes said to resemble the US Capitol Building and the Waterpocket Fold, a huge ridge in the Earth"s crust, which was referred to as a reef by prospectors. This 100-mile-long monocline—a step-like fold—is thought to have formed around 50 to 70 million years ago, and is home to towering cliffs, narrow canyons, and colorful rock formations. Capitol Reef was established as a national monument in 1937 and was designated a national park on December 18, 1971.Desktop Version
Al-Khazneh in Petra, Jordan
Al-Khazneh in Petra, Jordan
Welcome to the ancient temple of Al-Khazneh in the desert city of Petra, Jordan. Carved out of a single sandstone rock about 2,000 years ago by the Nabataean people, it is believed to have been a mausoleum for King Aretas IV. Standing 141 feet tall, its massive doorway is framed with towering columns and intricate carvings. It is the most recognizable structure of this "rose city" of temples and tombs carved from pink sandstone.Desktop Version
Bearded reedlings in Flevoland
Bearded reedlings in Flevoland
Flevoland, the 12th and newest province in the Netherlands, has only been around since 1986. Not only was it not established until this late date, but before the mid-20th century, much of the land here simply didn"t exist. Flevoland was created through vast land reclamation projects in the 1950s and "60s. While the Dutch had been reforming their landscape to meet their changing needs for hundreds of years, the 20th century would see their most dramatic and ambitious projects realized. The province"s anthem is the fitting "Waar Wij Steden Doen Verrijzen" ("Where We Let Cities Arise"). It"s an ode to pushing back the sea and creating a "province that"s not bad, youngest part of the Netherlands. Where it is nice to live, my beloved Flevoland!"Desktop Version
Spiegelgracht canal in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Spiegelgracht canal in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Have you ever wondered how canals changed the way cities developed? For thousands of years, people have built canals to transport goods, control water flow, and connect places. From ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt to medieval Europe, they transformed cities like Venice and Bruges into trade hubs. The Netherlands took this even further—by the 17th century, they were designing waterways that shaped cities such as Amsterdam.Desktop Version
Gaztelugatxe at sunset, Basque Country, Spain
Gaztelugatxe at sunset, Basque Country, Spain
Gaztelugatxe is a stunning islet located on the coast of Biscay in the Basque Country, Spain. It"s famous for its dramatic scenery and the small hermitage, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, dedicated to John the Baptist at its peak. The hermitage, which dates back to the 10th century, has been rebuilt several times due to damage from battles and fire. Today"s building is perched atop the islet and is accessible by a narrow path that includes 241 steps. It"s a popular pilgrimage site, and visitors often ring the church bell three times and make a wish. According to legend, John the Baptist himself set foot on the islet. The views from the top offer panoramic vistas of the rugged coastline and the Cantabrian Sea. Gaztelugatxe gained international fame as a filming location for the TV series "Game of Thrones," where it served as Dragonstone, the ancestral seat of House Targaryen.Desktop Version
Venice Skatepark, Los Angeles, California
Venice Skatepark, Los Angeles, California
Welcome to the concrete waves of Venice Beach, California, a skateboarder"s paradise. Built next to the beach town"s sun-kissed shores, Venice Skatepark stands as a testament to the history of skateboarding in the state.Desktop Version
Hawai i Volcanoes National Park at 106
Hawai i Volcanoes National Park at 106
The orange glow of a lava tube like the one pictured here is a frequent sight on Kīlauea, the youngest volcano on the island of Hawaii. In near constant eruption for the last 40 years, Kīlauea is widely considered the most active volcano in the world and is the main attraction at Hawai"i Volcanoes National Park, which was created on this day in 1916. The park, which was designated an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site, also includes another active volcano, Mauna Loa, the world"s most massive shield volcano, which last erupted in 1984. Together, they are among the most studied volcanoes in the world.Desktop Version
International Women s Day
International Women s Day
This famous feisty girl stands her ground in front of the New York Stock Exchange in lower Manhattan, a striking reminder as we celebrate International Women"s Day that we still have work to do in the quest for gender equality. Kristen Visbal"s bronze sculpture "Fearless Girl" took up her power pose in 2017 facing down the iconic Wall Street bronze statue called "Charging Bull." For the 2021 observance of International Women"s Day, the corporate sponsor of "Fearless Girl" added broken glass around her, with a plaque that read: "Today"s broken glass ceilings are tomorrow"s stepping stones."Desktop Version
Astronomy Day
Astronomy Day
In one of the darkest places on Earth there"s a cluster of telescopes that examine the heavens each night, sending detailed information about the celestial bodies they observe to astronomers across the planet. Far from any population centers or light pollution, the Atacama Desert is the world"s driest nonpolar desert. It"s the perfect place for La Silla Observatory, one of the largest observatories in the Southern Hemisphere, and the first to be used by the European Southern Observatory (ESO), a research organization made up of astronomers from 16 European nations. The first ESO telescope at the La Silla site in Chile began operating in 1966.Desktop Version
Skyscraper Day
Skyscraper Day
Skyscraper Day pays tribute to the towering architectural wonders that dominate our city skylines. Observed on September 3, it also marks the birthday of Louis Henry Sullivan, a pioneer of modern architecture who is often called the "father of skyscrapers." Found in the world"s biggest cities, skyscrapers serve as symbols of progress, ambition, and reaching new heights. Manhattan, the dense, vibrant heart of New York City, boasts a mesmerizing skyline with an array of iconic skyscrapers. These structures, like the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, and the Chrysler Building, define the city"s architectural and cultural legacy and captivate millions of visitors every year.Desktop Version
75th anniversary of the Spruce Goose
75th anniversary of the Spruce Goose
Today we"re looking back to a time when an eccentric billionaire"s dream of reaching new heights was still a novel idea. It was 75 years ago today that Howard Hughes" "flying boat," dubbed the "Spruce Goose," made its one and only flight. Officially named the Hughes H-4 Hercules, the press persisted in calling it the "Spruce Goose" even though it was constructed almost entirely of birch wood. The plane was commissioned in 1942 by American industrialist Henry Kaiser, who supplied ships to the US during World War II. Kaiser recruited Hughes—the film producer turned pilot, engineer, and business magnate—to build a flying cargo ship that could avoid German submarines while transporting troops and war supplies across the Atlantic. The contract called for three of the planes to be built within two years. Hughes was still working on the design when the war ended—in the end, he delivered only the one in our photo, two years after V-E Day.Desktop Version
Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
Today, the Sundance Film Festival kicks off, celebrating the magic of movies against the backdrop of Utah"s mountains. As a launchpad for groundbreaking films and emerging talent, Sundance has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1978. Now one of the film industry"s most influential events, it has introduced the world to talents like Quentin Tarantino and Steven Soderbergh, whose early works premiered here before shaping their iconic careers. With competitive sections for dramatic and documentary movies, from features to shorts, the festival offers an inspiring array of storytelling.Desktop Version
Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and the Louvre Pyramid
Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and the Louvre Pyramid
Paris features an impressive stretch of parks, gardens, and monuments called the Axe historique, or historical axis, that starts at the Louvre Museum, in the city center, and extends west, ending at La Grande Arche. Today"s image shows the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel at the eastern end of the route, with the embodiment of Peace riding a chariot atop it. It shouldn"t be confused with the better-known and much larger Arc de Triomphe de l"Étoile, which stands 2 miles away, halfway along the Axe historique. It"s a lovely walk from one to the other, through the Jardin Des Tuileries and along the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées. If the statue on the left side of the photo caught your eye, wave hello to King Louis XIV on horseback.Desktop Version
Brown bears, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Brown bears, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Summer up north belongs to the bears. When the sun reigns, so do the brown bears of Alaska—like this mother and cub in Katmai National Park and Preserve, about 260 miles southwest of Anchorage. Also known as grizzly bears in Alaska, the brown bears pack a year of living into the summer months, foraging, feasting, frolicking, fighting, and mating under skies of nearly perpetual daylight.Desktop Version
Russell lupines, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Russell lupines, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Welcome to Lake Tekapo, on New Zealand"s South Island, where the colorful spikes of flowering Russell lupines transform the landscape each November and December. The plants" blooming heads, made up of clusters of pea-like flowers, can reach up to 60 inches. While photographers flock here to capture the varied hues of purple, blue, and yellow, these striking plants are controversial. Native to North America, they are considered an invasive species here, growing in dense stands and boxing out other flora. While these plants might be appealing to tourists, they can create a negative imbalance in the region"s ecosystem.Desktop Version
Red fox in the Netherlands
Red fox in the Netherlands
Today we"re heading to the Netherlands to visit the red foxes at the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen Nature Reserve. This protected area about 8 miles west of Amsterdam is host to not only a diverse assortment of plants and animals, but also hundreds of specially designed sand dunes that help filter rainwater. The Waterleidingduinen ("water supply dunes") have been the source of the city"s drinking water since the 19th century.Desktop Version
Penguin Awareness Day
Penguin Awareness Day
Let"s flap our flippers and dive into Penguin Awareness Day! Today"s image features macaroni penguins swimming in the plankton-rich waters of the Drake Passage off the coast of Chile. These charming creatures, one of 18 different species of penguin in the Southern Hemisphere, can be recognized by their flashy amber crests and orange beaks. The name is said to have been coined by English sailors, derived from a term used to describe flamboyant dressers in the late 18th century.Desktop Version
World Lizard Day
World Lizard Day
From mythology to movies, lizards have often been portrayed as scary reptiles. But they"re not as dangerous as stories might lead you to believe. World Lizard Day is the perfect time to learn about these cold-blooded creatures. With more than 7,000 species, lizards have adapted to a wide range of environments—from deserts to rainforests. Take geckos—these little climbers have toe pads that let them scale walls and walk on ceilings. Then there are chameleons with their color-changing skin. While many think it"s all about blending in, this ability is also used to communicate and regulate temperature.Desktop Version
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi rainforest in New Zealand
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi rainforest in New Zealand
Today we"re taking a tramping trip to New Zealand"s South Island to visit the place Rudyard Kipling once called the eighth wonder of the world, Milford Sound and its surrounding rainforest. Tramping, New Zealand-speak for hiking, is incredibly popular at Milford Sound. Nearly a million tourists visit the fjord every year, despite its somewhat remote location. Originally overlooked by European explorers, the area is now known for its beauty and abundance of wildlife. It"s not uncommon for visitors to spot dolphins, humpback whales, and native Fiordland penguins.Desktop Version
Moose, Denali National Park, Alaska
Moose, Denali National Park, Alaska
Have you ever experienced the awe of seeing an Alaskan moose? The largest moose species, these creatures can weigh 1,400 pounds and reach heights of up to 6 feet at the shoulder. Male moose are called bulls, females are known as cows, and their young are referred to as calves. One thing that really sets moose apart is their incredible antlers, which are only sported by the males.Desktop Version
Ring of fire solar eclipse
Ring of fire solar eclipse
Sky gazers have been counting down to today: a "ring of fire" annular solar eclipse is here to darken the skies over the Americas! Solar eclipses happen when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, casting parts of Earth into shadow. In an annular solar eclipse, a halo effect is created when the moon blocks out most but not all, of the sun"s light. An annulus—or ring—of light remains visible. Seen here from Doha, Qatar, in 2019, the phenomenon will appear today over the United States—traveling from Oregon to Texas before continuing to Central America and ending in South America. While the "ring of fire" is visible only in certain areas, partial eclipses will grace parts of all 50 states.Desktop Version