Flowers are nature’s way of tricking insects into helping plants have sex, and as a side effect, humans have something to make their gardens look prettier. There are about 350,000 species of flowering plant, and most of them are innocent souls. But a heaping handful of them are vicious killers with zero remorse.

10Kalmia Latifolia

Kalmia latifolia, more commonly known as mountain laurel, produces delicate pink and white flowers in the late spring. It’s the state flower of both Pennsylvania and Connecticut, and it grows just about everywhere in the eastern United States. It’s gorgeous, but underneath that dainty exterior beats the heart of a murderer.

The two main toxins in Kalmia latifolia are andromedotoxin and arbutin, but it’s the first one that you need to worry about. Andromedotoxin simultaneously causes part of the heart to beat quickly and part to beat dangerously slowly. In healthy people, the heart has a natural gate that blocks half of the electrical pulses coming to the organ. The toxin induces Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, which disrupts that gate, letting all the pulses reach your heart. The result? Sudden cardiac death.

But that only happens with large doses. In smaller doses, you can expect to start with a lot of vomiting, after which every hole in your head will leak its fluids down your face. About an hour later, your breathing will slow down, you’ll lose the ability to use your muscles, and you’ll slip into a coma and die.

The terrifying part is that you don’t have to eat the flowers—honey from bees that have visited Kalmia latifolia contains all the toxic properties of the flower itself. The Greeks called it “mad honey,” and they used it to defeat Xenophon of Athens in 400 B.C.

9Jacobaea Vulgaris

Ragwort, a common wildflower in the UK, is an important part of the local ecosystem. Almost 80 insects get food from the plant, and at least 30 of those feed on ragwort exclusively. Because of that, the flowers hold particular interest for conservation societies. That’s good news for the bugs but bad news for everybody else. The World Health Organization has confirmed the presence of at least eight toxic alkaloids in ragwort, and it may have at least 10 more on top of that.

The problem is that unlike most poisons, which quickly leave the system, the alkaloids in ragwort build up in the liver over time. The accumulating toxins result in liver cirrhosis, a condition in which the liver slowly folds in on itself as healthy cells degenerate into an unresponsive mass of scar tissue. The liver’s a resilient organ and will continue operating like normal until up to 75 percent of it’s been destroyed, but by the time symptoms start appearing, the damage is irreversible.

Symptoms include loss of coordination, blindness, stabbing abdominal pains, and yellow eyes from bile pigment that fills the eye’s surface membrane. Unfortunately, this is another toxin that makes its way into honey, as well as into milk from goats who eat ragwort. As a final slap on the face, when farmers try to remove ragwort from their fields, the toxins can seep right into the skin of their hands.

8Veratrum

Found on nearly every mountain in the Northern Hemisphere, Veratrum species put out gorgeous spiral clusters of white, heart-shaped flowers. The plant is commonly grown for ornamental purposes because even the leaves look pretty, and in the wild, it’s commonly confused with garlic. But pretty or not, every piece of this plant, from the roots to the pistils, is lethally toxic.

The first symptom of Veratrum poisoning is violent stomach cramping, which usually starts about 30 minutes after ingestion. As the toxins absorb into the bloodstream, they make a beeline for the sodium ion channels. Sodium ion channels act like gates to allow sodium to flow through nerves, triggering an action. For example, the opening of sodium ion channels in muscle cells starts the process that leads to a muscle contraction.

When Veratrum toxins hit the sodium ion channels, they open the floodgates, forcing the channels to fire continuously. The body doesn’t know what to do with this, so the heart begins to alternately slow and speed up. Muscles all over the body convulse. Eventually, the toxin either causes a heart attack or a coma. It’s believed that this is the poison that killed Alexander the Great.

7Zantedeschia

The gorgeous perennial Zantedeschia has been introduced to every continent but Antarctica and is a staple in ornamental gardens. It’s often called a calla lily, even though it’s not even remotely related to lilies and doesn’t look anything like one. The bright, tube-shaped flowers can be a variety of colors.

Zantedeschia species contain calcium oxalate, a chemical that forms needle-like crystals inside internal organs. More than 1,000 types of plants contain calcium oxalate, and Zantedeschia is one of the most dangerous, partly because it’s so widespread. Even a tiny dose of the chemical is enough to cause a person’s throat to swell, usually along with an intense burning feeling.

The more you eat, the worse the symptoms become, until your throat swells so large it squeezes your airways shut. In one incident, a Chinese restaurant accidentally put the flower petals from a toxic plant into their food, putting everyone who ate it in the hospital.

6Colchicum Autumnale

Colchicum autumnale is native to the UK, but it can now be found across most of Europe and New Zealand. One of its common names is “naked lady,” which is a deceptively sexy name for a cold-blooded killer. The only known antidote for Colchicum poisoning is a slow, painful death.

The chemical at work here is colchicine, a poison that kills with methods similar to arsenic, systematically shutting down of all of your body’s vital functions. Mass organ failure, blood clots, and nerve disruptions are just a few of the horrifying symptoms of Colchicum poisoning. Every few days, a new set of symptoms appears as yet another internal system goes belly up.

Death can take anywhere from days to weeks, but when you eat enough, it’s always fatal. And for whatever reason, the flower leaves you conscious to the bitter end, forcing you to live through each excruciating moment. People have compared death from Colchicum to cholera.

5Laburnum

Everybody’s brain is hardwired to accept nicotine through receptors the same shape as nicotine molecules. Despite their name, nicotinic receptors can also bond with other chemicals. One such chemical is cytisine.

In low doses, cytisine isn’t terribly harmful. As a drug, it sometimes helps people quit smoking because of its ability to bond to nicotinic receptors. But in large doses, it’s positively lethal.

Laburnum poisonings have been recorded for centuries and usually involve children who eat either the flowers or the seed casings, which look like pea pods. The cytisine, which is present in every single part of the tree, starts working in minutes. Poisoning starts with intense vomiting followed by streams of foam pouring out of the mouth. After about an hour, the convulsions start.

Normally, convulsions occur intermittently, like ocean waves. But with cytisine poisoning, the convulsing waves are so close together that your muscles permanently contract, which is called a tetanic contraction. It all culminates in a deep coma and death. Fortunately, people don’t usually die from Laburnum poisoning these days as long as they get to the hospital in time.

4Cerbera Odollam

Cerbera odollam probably has the most accurate alternate name in the entire plant kingdom: To Indian locals, it’s known as the “suicide tree.” And its reach goes far beyond suicide—according to a team of researchers who investigated a number of deaths in the southwest region of India, Cerbera odollam is the perfect murder weapon. In a 10-year period, at least 500 deaths were confirmed to be the work of the flower-bearing tree, which kills through a potent glycoside called cerberin.

Cerberin starts working within an hour. After some light stomach pain, you slip into a quiet coma, and your heart politely stops beating. The entire process takes place in about three hours. The chemical is untraceable after the fact, which is why it’s commonly used as a discreet murder weapon. A research team in India believes that up to twice as many people died from Cerbera odollam as they discovered—most likely homicide victims in cases where nobody thought to suspect foul play.

3Sanguinaria Canadensis

Commonly known as bloodroot, Sanguinaria grows wild in eastern North America. Native Americans used the blood-red roots as an ornamental dye, but they also used it to induce abortions. Enough of it will put you in a coma.

People more recently have taken to using it as a home remedy for skin cancer, with horrible results. Bloodroot contains a chemical called sanguarine, which, in addition to being a dangerous toxin, is an escharotic substance. Escharotics kill tissue and slough it off as a creamy pulp, leaving behind a dark black scar called an eschar. In other words, putting bloodroot on your skin causes your skin cells to kill themselves.

The same thing happens internally. The chemical disrupts an enzyme called Na+/K+-ATPase, which does the important job of pumping sodium out of cells and pumping potassium in. When that doesn’t happen, all functions break down.

2Adenium Obesum

Native to Africa, Adenium obesum has been used as a spear poison by tribes for centuries. The desert rose, as the preparation is called, is made by boiling the plant for 12 hours before removing all the plant matter and letting the liquid evaporate. The resulting goo is a highly concentrated poison. It’s so toxic that just a bit of the poison from a spears or arrows brings down large game before they can run 2 kilometers (1.2 mi), so hunters can stay on their trail while they gradually bite the dust.

This specific plant has been used by tribes all over Africa to kill animals as large as elephants, and now that we’ve studied it, we know why. The plant contains a chemical called ouabain, which causes almost immediate respiratory failure at high doses.

Another flower in the Apocynaceae family grows in the same region, and hunters often use it in conjunction with Adenium. It also contains ouabain, and it turns out that humans aren’t the only African natives using its killing power—the African crested rat will chew the flower’s bark and lick his hair with the toxins, turning itself into a scurrying ball of unexpected death.

1Oenanthe Crocata

In 2002, eight tourists in Argyll, Scotland decided to forage some choice water parsnips from a nearby stream. Prize in hand, they returned home and put them in a curry dish. The next day, four of them were in the hospital. What they’d thought was water parsnip was actually Oenanthe crocata, or hemlock water dropwort. The plant has mortality rate of up to 70 percent, so the group was lucky nobody died.

Hemlock water dropwort has an interesting property. It’s lethal, sure. But the killer toxin, oenanthotoxin, relaxes the muscles around your lips and forces you to smile, even when you’re in the throes of fatal convulsions. The plant has been used in Greece since at least the eighth century B.C., when Homer coined the term “sardonic grin” to describe the grisly smile adorning the faces of water dropwort victims.

What are the most beautiful places in the world? Every year someone asks the question. Every year people disagree.  

After all, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Nevertheless, every year some of the same places are mentioned. Without further ado, here are the 25 most beautiful places in the world this year.

The 25 Most Beautiful Places In The World

1. The Maroon Bells, USA

The Maroon Bells are a pair of 14,000-foot peaks nestled in a glacial valley in the Elk Mountains less than 10 miles out of Aspen, Colorado. Reflected in the clear waters of Maroon Lake, it’s debatable when you should go to see them since there are advantages to visiting them every season. 

2. The Grand Canyon, USA

Regular readers know The Grand Canyon in Arizona is one mile deep and 18 miles wide. This gorgeous gorge of layered, colored rock was carved from the earth by the mighty Colorado River over a period of over 5,000 years. Some of the rock here is reported to be more than 1.8 billion years old.

3. The Blue Ridge Mountains, USA

The Blue Ridge Mountains are found in the eastern US and are a part of the awesome Appalachian Mountains. They stretch from Pennsylvania to Georgia. They are named as such because from a distance they appear to be blue. The trees there let off a specific gas named isoprene which causes the appearance.

4. Oia, Greece

Ensconced on a clifftop on the isle of Santorini, the quiet, laid-back village of Oia offers travelers an incredible view of the popular Palea volcano, Nea Kameni, and even the nearby island of Thirassia. More specifically, Pretty Oia is less than 11 kilometers from Fira. It features blue-domed churches, stone houses, taverns, and colorful galleries.   

5. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Plitvice Lakes is sometimes referred to as “living, moving water” amidst an ancient forest between the capital Zagreb and the coastal city of Zadar. Here you will discover 16 different lakes all joined by waterfalls, both man-made and natural bridges, and a total of 300 square kilometers inhabited by bears, birds, boars, and wolves.

6. The Amalfi Coast, Italy

Travel to the rugged coast in Campania, It is here, at the edge of Sorrentine Peninsula, where you’ll find almost 50 kilometers of coast that includes ancient vineyards, small golden beaches in small, secluded coves, fragrant orange groves, pastel-painted, sun-washed homes, quaint tavernas, and sheer, striking cliffs rushing down into azure waters.  

7. The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef is so large it can actually be seen from space. Situated off Queensland’s coast, this ecosystem is 2,300 kilometers long and includes distinct reef systems, individual coral cays, and hundreds of islands, complete with white-sand beaches. It’s home to numerous types of coral, and sea creatures.

8. Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Travel to Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia. See the ancient forests, bottomless lakes, deep rivers, great glaciers, majestic mountains, narrow fjords, and endless attractive golden pampas blanketed in wildflowers. Here you’ll find such wildlife as guanacos and pumas too. Be sure to see Grey Glacier and French Valley too.

9. Garden of the Gods, Colorado, USA

The public park known as Garden of the Gods is but a brief drive out of Colorado Springs. It is highlighted by a number of different bridges, oddly-balanced rock formations, red sandstone spires, and 15 miles of hiking trails. It is also a really great place for rock climbing!    

10. Moraine Lake, Canada

Majestic Moraine Lake is nestled in the verdant Valley of the Ten Peaks in the famous Canadian Rockies. This lake is surrounded by ancient rock piles, massive mountains, and rushing waterfalls. It is glacier-fed. As the nearby glaciers melt, sediment from the glacier increases, and the color of the lake water changes.

11. Lake Bled, Slovenia

Lovely Lake Bled encircles beautiful Bled Island. It includes a number of different structures, including the prominent Church of Mary the Queen. The church was erected in the late 1600s. It features Gothic frescos and Baroque detailing. Veteran visitors say once you see it, you will feel as if you stepped into a magical fantasy world.  

12. Mauna Kea Beach, USA

Hawaii’s Mauna Kea Beach is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches on the great “Big Island.” This beach is both wide and long and is perfect for romantic walks. It’s a great place to go wading, swimming, and snorkeling as well since the beach slopes slowly into the ocean.  

13. Niagara Falls, United States, and Canada 

Iconic Niagara Falls is a trio of huge waterfalls between the US and Canada on the mighty Niagara River between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. These falls formed during the end of the last ice age when the Great Lakes’ water burst through the Niagara Escarpment as it traveled to the ocean.

14. Yellowstone National Park, USA

Famous Yellowstone National Park is the world’s oldest national park. It spans an area of 3,500 square miles. It includes land in the states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. The park features forests, canyons, gushing geysers, hot springs, rushing alpine rivers, snow-capped mountains, teeming wildlife, and even a simmering volcano.

15.  Arches National Park, USA

Located just outside the city of Moab in the state of Utah, this is one of America’s most popular national parks. It stretches across an area of 120 square miles and features over 2,000 arches formed by erosion. Regular readers know it’s a great place to visit in the winter too.

16. Joshua Tree National Park, USA

Readers may know this park in California was not only on other “best of” lists for its beauty, and hiking trails, but it also can be a great palace to see in the winter. Arguably made world-famous due to the 1987 U2 album of the same name, this park is the USA’s 11th most-visited park.

17. Appenzell, Switzerland

This is the country’s most traditional region. Traditional culture is celebrated in this charming, rural area where time seems to have stopped. This cow-dotted village of verdant hills is watched over by Mount Säntis which is 8,200 feet high. It includes a busy, flowered village square, horse-drawn carriages, and lavishly carved, emblem-painted chalets.

18. Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Nestled between Keflavik International Airport and Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon is a rare, man-made geothermal spa in the midst of a stark lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula. It’s fueled by the water from the neighboring geothermal power plant of Svartsengi. The quiet, milky-white water of this place makes it a strange sight.  

19. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Beautiful Bora Bora is a group of islands in famous French Polynesia. No stranger to previously-published “best of” lists, this outstanding also remains a hot honeymoon destination. The best time to visit is from June through August. Be sure to book your stay in one of their well-known private overwater bungalows.

20. Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

Maori legend has it that the 14 famous fjords forming this national park were actually created by an infamous giant stonemason called Tu Te Rakiwhanoa, who used huge adzes to slice out the valleys here. Located at the South Island’s southwestern end, it occupies more than 1.2 million hectares.

21. Geiranger Fjord, Norway

Geiranger is reputed to be the most beautiful fjord in all of Norway. Created by mighty glaciers, it is roughly 15 kilometers in length and, at its widest point, 1.5 kilometers in width. Since its coast is uninhabitable and its sides are composed of nearly vertical mountainsides, the best way to enjoy this place is via ferry.

22. Victoria Falls, Zambia, And Zimbabwe

The locals call Victoria Falls Mosi-oa-Tunya, in English, “the Smoke that Thunders.” Located in Africa on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia on the Zambezi River. As the water rushes over the cliff into the gorgeous gorge 100 meters below, it can actually be heard up to 40 kilometers away.

23. Sossusvlei, Namibia

Sossusvlei is situated in the striking Namibian Namib-Naukluft National Park where the sand dunes halt the flow of the Tsauchab River less than 60 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean in the vast Namib Desert. The name roughly translates to mean “dead-end marsh.” This clay and salt pan is surrounded by huge scarlet dunes.  

24. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Travel high into the awesome in southwestern Bolivia’s Andes. Here, 11,995 feet above sea level, you’ll find the world’s largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni. This dried-up, prehistoric lake spans an area of more than 4,086 square miles. Today, it’s an otherworldly landscape of white salt and odd rock formations.

25. Krabi, Thailand

Travel to the rockin’ resort town of Krabi on southern Thailand’s attractive Andaman Coast. This lovely locale is surrounded by beautiful beaches and is largely the product of numerous limestone karsts jutting out of a mighty dense mangrove forest. Highlights here include Tiger Cave Temple, and the memorable local landmark Khao Kanab Nam.  

The USA has many beautiful cities. Indeed, tourists fall in love with American cities for a number of different reasons as they all have distinctive qualities of their own. Here to help you plan your next visit, are the 26 most beautiful cities in the USA.

The 26 Most Beautiful Cities In The USA

1. Washington DC

First on the list, is the nation’s capital, Washington DC. Here in the heart of the country’s government, you will find a number of beautiful national monuments. Highlights here include the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the National World War II Memorial, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the National Arboretum pillars. Many of the neighborhoods here feature attractive rows of brick houses. The best time to visit is between March and April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

2. Burlington, Vermont

Burlington is the largest city in the entire state. It is also a surprisingly lively city that stretches from lovely Lake Champlain to the verdant backcountry forests. In fact, the city often slots in as one of the best cities in the Northeast as well.

Burlington also often scores as being a great place for a romantic couples’ getaway. Tourists and locals alike praise its breweries and assorted eateries. Other highlights here include the Church Street Marketplace and wonderful Waterfront Park.

3. San Antonio, Texas

Regular readers may already know San Antonio is more than just the home of the world-famous Alamo and the Alamo Museum. This beautiful city offers arts and culture too. Once a Spanish colonial outpost, it features outstanding Spanish architecture, and the impressive San Antonio Missions too. Other striking worthwhile attractions include The Natural Bridge Caverns, historic King William Street, the popular San Antonio River Walk, the McNay Art Museum Courtyard, the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, and the San Antonio Museum of Art, filled with attractive Latin art.  

4. San Diego, California

San Diego is a city that is not only beautiful but also rife with culture. It has a festive culture that is due to its Mexican roots. Here you can enjoy a little stroll through popular Balboa Park,   

Go swimming, walk on the beach, or just soak up some sun at beautiful Pacific Beach. When you have enough Vitamin D, enjoy a cocktail at one of the bars then dine at one of the beach-proximate restaurants. Your best time to visit depends on your interests. San Diego holds culinary, film, music, visual arts, theater, and other seasonal festivals throughout the year.   

5. Honolulu, Hawaii

Next on our list of most beautiful cities is the state capital, Honolulu. (In English, Honolulu roughly translates to “calm port” or “sheltered harbor.” Many travelers visit this most populous place on the isle of Oahu for its beautiful beaches which come complete with comparatively calm water, fine, warm sand, and stunning sunsets.

Waikiki Beach is considered one of the island’s best beaches. It spans a distance of five miles which makes it one of the city’s longest beaches too. The gentle waters here are a great place to learn how to scuba dive or surf as well.  

6. Salt Lake City, Utah

If you’re into snow, the surprisingly beautiful city of Salt Lake City is perhaps best visited in the winter. For it is then that you can go skiing in the nearby majestic mountains. The valleys and the views make this city amazing. It’s reportedly one of the best places in the country for a winter vacation.  

Don’t like the snow? It’s okay. There are pretty places to enjoy there all year long. Don’t miss the Red Butte Garden, Big Cottonwood Canyon, This Is The Place Heritage Park, and Ensign Peak Park either!

7. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is not only beautiful, but it is also significant in terms of culture and music history. Indeed, this city is the birthplace of jazz music. Walk down Bourbon Street and you will find any number of clubs, pretty public parks, and even streets alive with music.

The magnificent architecture here is a blend of African and French cultures. It is both colorful and unique. If you have never experienced Mardi Gras, you’re missing out on the world-famous, traditional excitement. You can appreciate the aesthetics and the excitement in one trip.

8. Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville is North Carolina’s most populous city and more importantly, has its own individualistic beauty. It’s located at the confluence of the Swannanoa and French Broad rivers on the edge of the stunning Great Smoky Mountains not far from the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you’re not into snow and winter sports such as skiing or snowboarding, you may want to visit another season. Regardless, highlights here include its well-known farm-to-table restaurants, interesting art galleries, impressive architecture, Biltmore Mansion, the Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina Arboretum, and craft breweries.

9. Chicago, Illinois

The Windy City is generally underrated when it comes to beautiful cities. Nevertheless, it has its own memorable sense of urban beauty. Also on our list of best weekend getaways, it features numerous architectural attractions and many museums.

Be sure to check out the Rookery Building, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Lincoln Park Zoo, the awesome Aquae, the Cloud Gate, a.k.a. “The Bean”, in Millennial Park, and all the assorted eateries and attractions at the Navy Pier. Feeling energetic? Go bicycling along Milwaukee Avenue! 

10. Charleston, South Carolina

Charming Charleston follows on our list of the most beautiful cities. This historic city harkens back to 1670. Also the state’s largest city, it is known for its noteworthy architecture, various historic landmarks, and lovely, down-home charm.  

Accented by architecture from the 1800s, it includes cozy cobblestone streets lined with street lanterns. See famous Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began. Other points of interest are pretty Rainbow Row, the Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, and Waterfront Park near Charleston Harbor. Enjoy a meal at the award-winning restaurant, FIG, and bed down at the worthy Wentworth Mansion.

11. Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado Springs, nestled before a magnificent mountain range, is yet another of the most beautiful cities in America. Veteran visitors praise this city for its hiking trails, mountain ranges, verdant valleys, and beautiful sunsets. Be sure to visit the well-known large, lush public park known as Garden of the Gods Park. Saddle up a horse or pile into a jeep and head out to explore the numerous rugged peaks, rolling hills, and grassy acres. Don’t miss Pike’s Peak, the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.   

12. San Francisco, California

San Francisco’s beauty encompasses a number of different unforgettable landmarks that are honestly appreciated by tourists and residents alike. Bask in the man-made splendor of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Stroll along Fisherman’s Wharf and see sea lions.

Lunch at a restaurant on Pier 39, Tour the former prison, Alcatraz Island, and enjoy the views of the city. Shop in the famous old chocolate factory found in Ghirardelli Square on Van Ness Avenue. Take in the popular “Painted Ladies,” colorful Victorian townhouses amidst the towering city skyscrapers, and cruise Lombard Street too.     

13. Key West, Florida

You can’t have a list of beautiful cities without sunny Key West. Situated on an island known for its Cuban culture, this beach town is accented by Cuban architecture, nightlife, and neighborhoods. It includes some of the state’s best beaches and beautiful sunsets.  

Smathers Beach is exceptional for surfing and parasailing. If you have an interest in architecture but want to have fun as well then head for Duval Street. Not only is it fairly filled with examples of Cuban architecture, but it is also where you’ll find numerous bars and clubs. Be sure to stop in at The Green Parrot!

14. Hilo, Hawaii

All of Hawaii is beautiful so how could its cities not be? Hilo, however, is often ignored by many travel writers despite its beautiful parks, gorgeous gardens, and wondrous waterfalls. Located on the Big Island, one of Hilo’s beautiful waterfalls is named Rainbow Falls. 

This memorable waterfall is 80 feet tall and is thus named because people frequently see little in the mist created by the waterfall. If you enjoy gorgeous greenery, be sure to pay a visit to lovely Liliʻuokalani Gardens. It’s a serene Japanese garden that comes complete with fish ponds, rock gardens, and even an attractive Japanese-style bench.  

15. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is fairly famous for being the true birthplace of American democracy. Philly is fairly filled full of memorable museums, exceptional architecture, and historical sites. Indeed, the city is a marvelous melding of historic and modern buildings. There’s Independence Hall, Peddler’s Village, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 

the Kimmel Centre, the Liberty Bell Center, South Street, the Longwood Gardens, with its lights and giant tree house, and Elfreth’s Alley, the officially “oldest continuously inhabited residential street” in the country. Sample a cheesesteak and soft pretzel at Reading Terminal Market too!  

16. New York City, New York

Would you like to wake up in “the city that never sleeps”? New York City features a magnificent skyline, iconic tourist attractions, cultural diversity, assorted ethnic eateries, notorious nightclubs, and more. The architecture is awesome.

Highlights here include Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Guggenheim Museum, Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Times Square, Watkins Glen State Park, Sonnenberg Gardens, Rockefeller Center, and Mansion State Historic Park. Don’t forget the Empire State Building either! It offers visitors exceptionally beautiful views at sunset.

17. Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara is well-known for its ruggedly beautiful coastline. This city features several beautiful beaches complete with warm sand, swaying palm trees, and stunning sunsets. Indeed, Butterfly Beach is particularly gorgeous.  

It’s popular with the locals, travelers, and even some celebrities. Enjoy a cocktail, soak up some sun, and relax. Stroll the palm-tree-lined streets and take in the quaint boutique shops and Spanish-inspired architecture.  

You’ll discover an amicable sense of community as you wander through the neighborhoods. Some travel bloggers say that Santa Barbara is one of the best cities to visit in the entire state and call it “one of the prettiest” cities on the coast.

18. Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is nigh-famous for its beautiful Georgian-style architecture, popular art scene, and significant history. Walk down quaint cobblestone streets, ride in a horse-drawn carriage, and see the authentic antebellum architecture. Check out the beautiful dome-like Savannah City Hall, and enjoy the Savannah Art Walk. Explore the different art galleries around the city’s numerous historic attractions. Walk down River Street along the sparkling waterfront and visit Forsyth Park. See the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and the SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) too.

19. Seattle, Washington

Seattle offers excellent views of Puget Sound. It’s reportedly not only one of the country’s most beautiful cities but also one of the officially “most liked cities” too. If you’re a film buff, visit during the Seattle International Film Festival. If you’re a foodie, get here in time for Oktoberfest.  

Seattle is famous for the birth of the Starbucks coffee franchise and the world-famous grunge rock band Nirvana. Check out Discovery Park, Pike Place Market, the Chihuly Garden, and Glass, Visit the Space Needle at sunset for the best views ever!

20. Sedona, Arizona

The city of Sedona is ruggedly beautiful. Its scarlet stones are a major draw to tourists. They take visitors back to the days of the ol’ wild west. If you enjoy the great outdoors or are big on hiking, Sedona should be on your bucket list. Here you can take a wine tour, go bicycling, kayaking, and stargazing on the rocks. Check out the rock art sites, the sacred vortexes, the Sedona Airport Overlook, the Sedona Heritage Museum, and Native American ruins as well.

21. Seward, Alaska

Don’t underestimate the beauty of the small city of Seward. It is stunning. It is perhaps best known for its charming small-town ambiance, beautiful scenery, and noteworthy fishing spots.  

You’ll enjoy the sight of its great glaciers, rushing rivers, and snow-capped mighty mountains. Visit the Resurrection River which flows from the Kenai Mountains. Fishermen love to fish for salmon here! If you prefer larger water-dwellers, sign on for an Orca Quest Cruise. More adventurous travelers may want to try a little ice hiking as well.

22. Newport, Rhode Island

The port town of Newport is not only the state’s most beautiful city but it also slots in as one of the nation’s “prettiest seaside cities.” It offers visitors a marvelous view of the Atlantic Ocean. Travelers who have their sea legs will surely enjoy sailing here as well. While you’re there be sure to check out all the opulent Gilded Age mansions too. Other highlights here include Bowen’s Wharf, the White Horse Tavern, and the Audrain Auto Museum. Hike the Cliff Walk trail too!  

23. Madison, Wisconsin

You might be surprised to hear that one of the things that makes Madison one of the most beautiful cities in the USA is not only its natural beauty but its fine examples of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture.  

Madison is nestled between Mendota and Monona Lakes. It features attractive trails that are great for both hiking and biking. Locals and tourists alike love the great farmer markets found here too. Be sure to check out the Olbrich Botanical Gardens and visit Lake Kegonsa State Park too.

24. Morrison, Colorado

The pretty city of Morrison is perhaps most famous for the popular Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. This incredible music theater is thus named because it was actually constructed of red rocks. This is a great city for outdoor activities as well.

One popular stop here is Dinosaur Ridge, where you can explore places previously occupied by a number of different dinosaurs. Other places to see include Morrison Natural History Museum, the lovely Lair O’ the Bear Park, and the fun-filled Tiny Town.

25. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Coeur d’Alene is overflowing with natural beauty. You really must see the large and lovely Lake Coeur d’Alene. You will discover numerous hiking trails, such as the popular North Idaho Centennial Trail, and different campsites around the lake. Here you can engage in different watersports from swimming and kayaking to parasailing and jet skiing. Other highlights here include Harriman State ParkHarriman State Park, the impressive Coeur d’Alene Public Library, Devin Galleries, the Museum of North Idaho, the Coeur d’Alene Masonic Temple, and The Art Spirit Gallery. 

26. Cleveland, Ohio

Last but not least is the perhaps surprising inclusion of Cleveland. Ah, but the truth is Cleveland rocks. After all, it is here you will find the famous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the museum dedicated to rock and roll music history. Looking for natural beauty? Check out adjacent Lake Erie. You should also see Edgewater Park, The Fountain of Eternal Life, The Arcade, Maltz Center for the Performing Arts, Cleveland Metroparks, Hope Memorial Bridge, the West Side Market, and even the historic Lakeview Cemetery.

During much of history, maps were designed as much for beauty and display as for accuracy. When maps were hand-drawn, they were difficult and expensive to produce, and ones designed for personal libraries were appropriately lavish to reflect their status as luxury items. Even in modern times, some map makers design their works to make a point. Others designed them for beauty, and sometimes a map designed for entirely practical purposes is also beautiful.

10Planisphaerium Arateum Sive Compages Orbium Mundanorum Ex Hypothesi Aratea In Plano Expressa

The planisphere of Aratus, or the composition of the heavenly orbits following the hypothesis of Aratus expressed in a planar view, was designed by Andreas Cellarius and published in 1660 as part of his Harmonia Macrocosmica (harmony of the macrocosm). It shows a model of the universe according to the Greek astronomer and poet Aratus. It shows the Earth at the center of the universe, with the Sun, Moon, and other planets orbiting around it, and the signs of the zodiac orbiting around those.

The orbits are particularly graceful, and all the details are clear and precise. Every map in the Harmonia is stunningly beautiful, but this one combines some of the virtues of each.

9The Cedid Atlas Tercumesi

Selim III, then Sultan of the Ottoman empire, engaged in many reforms and modernizations during his reign, and this 1803 atlas was the first known complete printed atlas in the Muslim world to use European-style cartography. Only 50 copies were printed, and many of these were burned in a warehouse fire during a Janissary uprising of those opposed to Selim’s reforms, so it is also one of the rarest printed atlases.

The lettering is remarkably well done, even by the high standards of the day. Each page was mounted on cloth, rather than paper, to make it more durable.

8This Fantasy Map Of Sarkamand

This map of a mighty capital in the desert, seat of the Padisha, was created in Photoshop and Illustrator by Robert Altbauer. The lettering style suggests Arabic, and the name references the extraordinarily beautiful city Samarkand, located in today’s Uzbekistan.

The design of overlapping circles almost looks like photographs of cellular structures. Altbauer has designed maps for games, television, and fantasy novels.

7An Ancient Mappe Of Fairyland

This map, created in 1918, depicts an island that shows the locations of dozens of myths, fairy tales, and folklore. The sources are mostly British, but there are also inspirations from Greek and German myths. You can see Oberon’s kingdom from Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Arthur’s tomb, a mountain where rocs build their nests, Red Riding hood’s cottage, Tom Thumb, Monsalvat (the land where the Holy Grail is guarded by the Grail Knights), and Ulysses’s ship.

Sleigh was inspired by many of the artists of the Arts and Crafts movement, especially William Morris, and this shows in not just the subject matter but the delicacy of the colors. 1918 marked the end of World War I, so it’s quite possible that for Sleigh and those who admired the map, this fantasy land in which even the more dangerous creatures, such as dragons, looked peaceful was a welcome escape.

6Duke’s Plan Of New York

1664 was the year the English captured New York from the Dutch. This map shows several of the original spellings from that time, including Hudson’s River, Longe Isleland, and Mannados. The map was presented to James, the Duke of York, with the expectation that he would name the city after himself.

The design, copied from an earlier Dutch map, blends ornate elements, such as the decorative border and legend, with plenty of empty space depicting land and much of the water. The British ships, added to reinforce that the city became British territory, are drawn so delicately that they emphasize the empty space.

5Cheonhado

This map, created in Korea around 1800, is known as a Cheonhado. The term means “complete map of all under Heaven” and shows the mystical Mount Meru in the center. In Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu beliefs, Mount Meru is not just the physical but the spiritual center of the universe.

Other countries, with little regard for their relative sizes or geographical location, orbit China and Mount Meru.

4Yongying County In China

This map was created in China sometime between 1734 and 1779 and shows the river systems of Yongying County in China. Unlike most Western maps, the south is at the top and the north at the bottom.

It was painted on silk, and the labels were pasted on. The gentle curves and muted colors give the map a rather tranquil appearance.

3Leo Belgicus

In 1583, Michael Aitzinger drew a map that depicted the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium in the shape of a lion, inspired by the lions that were so common in the region’s heraldry. He called it the Leo Belgicus, and it started a trend for mapmakers. The most famous version is by Claes Janszoon Visscher, from 1611.

2Geological Investigation Of The Alluvial Valley Of The Lower Mississippi River

In 1944, Harold Norman Fisk, a geology professor, published this as part of a report for the Army Corps of Engineers. These maps of the changes of the Mississippi River over time look a bit like the undulations of muscle tissue, a bit like ribbon candy, and a bit like abstract art.

The research behind these maps is just as impressive as the maps themselves. Fisk and his team used approximately 16,000 soil samples from various locations around the river and compared them to aerial photographs to establish the old flow patterns.

1Book Of Navigation

The Ottoman admiral Piri Reis designed many gorgeous maps, including the collection in his Book of Navigation, published in 1521. The maps show the delicate precision of Ottoman illuminated manuscripts, and the coloring of the land masses (which were far less important to Reis) has an almost playful note.

His first world map, published in 1513, includes both North and South America. Some people believe the section that shows the southern part of South America and the coast of Antarctica are so accurate that it proves humans explored Antarctica long before the historical record indicates. However, the map has enough mistakes (including an annotation that says the region is warm) to make it clear that the points that are accurate are far more likely due to good informed guesses based on Reis’s topography skills.

+A Humorous Diplomatic Atlas Of Europe And Asia

In March, 1904, at the beginning of the Russian-Japanese war, student Kisabur Ohara, published this atlas that showed Russia as an octopus trying to strangle all of Asia and much of Europe. Finland, Poland, Crimea, and the Balkans are already dead and represented by skulls, while Turkey, Persia, and Tibet are caught firmly. Each living country is depicted as a person in the country’s typical costume. One of the octopus’s arms is reaching toward Korea and Port Arthur, ready to throttle those, as well.

Previous maps had shown Russia as an octopus reaching greedily across Asia, but this is the first known one to show Europe at risk as well. Even without the text, the map does a remarkable job of portraying Russia as a bestial menace and other countries at risk.

Ann is a researcher, writer, and currently a job hunter. Learn more or see more of her writing.

Ancient structures and design will always be admired and it will remain huge tourist attractions, but there is also something to be said for modern architecture. Architects and builders around the world have in recent years come up with striking ideas that translated into mind-blowingly stunning buildings. On this list are just a few of these types of modern buildings that inspire Pinterest boards and Instagram stories worldwide.

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10 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

In 2019, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino opened in Hollywood, Florida in the form of an enormous guitar-shaped building. It took close to a decade to complete the design and construction and the building also features a light show when night falls. Guests who stay at this 638-room hotel enjoy breath-taking views all round of the Hollywood beachfront and the venue includes a massive performance venue as well as pool resort area. The project was part of a $1.5 billion expansion and is 34 stories high.

9 Markthal Rotterdam

A series of apartments forming a huge arch and allowing for a covered square featuring a market hall during the day and a food court of popular restaurants at night, is what the hybrid Markthal building in Rotterdam is all about.

The daily market includes 96 stalls that sells fresh food and other items and it is overseen by an 11,000 square meter mural that covers the vaulted interior. The mural includes images of food, flowers and insects. To highlight the colorful interior, the external façade is covered in grey stone.

The ends of the arch provide protection during bad weather with the help of single-glazed cable net façade which is the largest of its kind in Europe.

8 Bosjes Chapel

Creating a striking image in front of a range of majestic mountains, is the beautiful Bosjes Chapel in Wellington in the Western Cape Winelands of South Africa. The building includes dramatic lifts and dips in its roof, almost touching the surface of the large pool that surrounds it and features cross-shaped frames and a golden pulpit.

The wing-like appearance of the chapel was inspired by the seventh verse of Psalm 36 which says: “How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”

From a distance, the chapel almost seems to hover or float above the surface of the water and as one draws near to it, its serene atmosphere envelops the senses.

7 Santiago Bahá’í Temple

The Santiago Bahá’í Temple opened its doors in 2016 and is accessible to people from all faiths. It took six years to complete construction and this house of worship is ringed by nine entrances, comprises of nine pathways and nine fountains and takes on the shape of a ‘flower’ with nine petals or arching ‘sails’. Inspiration for it’s unique look was taken from Sufi whirling dancers, Japanese bamboo baskets and shattered glass. Its interior is covered in translucent marble and its cast-glass paneled exterior absorbs and reflects the beautiful colours of sunrise and sunset.

The stunning temple is 30 metres in height and within three years of its opening had received more than 1.4 million visitors.

6 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, also known as Sahar International Airport is the second busiest in India and won the award for Best Airport in India in 2016. It is named after the 17-century Maratha Emperor, Chhatrapati Shivaji and is considered to be one of the best places in the world for shopping, (apart from flying, that is.)

The long-span roof of the terminal building is one of the largest on Earth and is supported by 30 steel columns. The terminal also holds the longest and biggest cable wall system in the world. Furthermore, the coffered panel design was inspired by the shape of a peacock’s eye, which is the national bird of India. Each of the coffered panels contain a round aperture with a laminated lens that is able to produce two colors when light falls on it. Therefore, when the light strikes these panels just right, the entire airport resembles a palace constructed with colored glass.

5 Jiunvfeng Study

The Jiunvfeng Study is an eye-catching visitor centre located on the side of Mount Tai, which is considered to be the most famous sacred mountain in China.

The idea behind the design of the centre was to create a “floating cloud hovering in the mountains.’ The elongated building provides panoramic views over both the mountain as well as Shenlong Grand Canyon and includes a coffee shop for those who want to sit a while and take in the scenery.

The cloud-inspiration is taken even further at night when LED lighting strips built into the double-layer membrane of the canopy, lights up and makes the entire building look a cloud with a halo.

Its entire form was built to correspond to the topography of Mount Tai, blurring the lines between architecture and the natural surroundings.

4 City of Arts and Sciences

Valencia is home to the modern scientific and cultural complex, City of Arts and Sciences, which is the largest complex of its kind in Europe. It includes the massive Oceanografic building inside of which you will find the biggest aquarium in Europe. The aquarium contains 500 species of ocean life including sharks, dolphins, penguins and sea lions.

The complex also holds the Prince Felipe Museum of Sciences building and the “eye of the city” which is an audio-visual building that comprises of a planetarium as well as an IMAX cinema. Visitors to the City of Arts and Sciences can also enjoy theatre, opera and dance shows at the onsite opera venue, Palau de les Arts.

The most recent additions to the sprawling structure are a blue building called the Agora and the Umbracle which is an open-air space.

3 The Lotus Temple

The Lotus Temple in Delhi is the oldest building on this list, having been dedicated in 1986. Much the same as the Santiago Bahá’í Temple, the Lotus Temple allows all faiths inside its walls and the lotus design is meant to embody the message of tolerance that Bahá’í teaches.

It has been called the Taj Mahal of the 20th century and is a huge tourist attraction. The architect of this gorgeous building, Fariborz Sahba, won several awards for the design of the Lotus Temple and before Covid-19 was visited by around 10,000 people every day.

The temple comprises of nine sides formed by 27 marble petals. The marble was imported from the Penteli Mountain in Greece. There are several domes which allows for the white walls to be illuminated as natural light shines through, creating a serene ambiance.

2 One Central Park

Once Central Park in Sydney perfectly encapsulates the look and meaning of a living walls. This very unique and massive landmark consists of two towers, a sky garden, pool, several restaurants, 623 apartments, shops and a whole lot more. The 18-story tower is called Once Central Park west and the 34-story tower is known as Once Central Park East.

On the sides of the buildings, vegetation flourishes with at least 35,000 plants decorating the exterior, and the sky garden is a big selling feature for the penthouses at the top. Below the sky garden is a unique, cantilevered heliostat system that reflects light onto the vertical walls shaded by the shadow of the bigger tower. The heliostat system also doubles as a lighting installation that resembles silent fireworks.

1 The Wave

In 2019, the collective efforts of architect and builder brought to the life The Wave, a residential project on the Vejle Fjord in Denmark.

As the name suggests, the building was constructed to look like five waves running along the waterfront and it makes for a magnificent landmark. The structure holds 100 apartments topped with double-height penthouses at the top of each tower.

The wave-shaped structure is reflected in the ocean water during the day and at night it is illuminated to look like mountains. The building was designed with the idea that it would ‘change’ along with the time of day.

Years before the project was completed, it was awarded the Residential Building of the Year award in 2009 and it is hoped that this amazing building will bring more tourists to the waterfront.

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At the end of Furious 7, as Dom Toretto walks away from the beach, the song “See You Again” starts playing. It continues on as he drives along an empty road, halting at a stop street. He then hears a car pulling up beside him and looks up to see Brian O’Connor grinning at him. A montage of Brian’s F&F scenes fills the screen. As the two men pull away from the stop street, they drive alongside one another until each eventually go their own way, while the song continues to play. As the scene fades and the screen turns white, the words “For Paul” appears.

When this scene played in movie theaters for the first time, audiences were in tears as they took in the lyrics of the song and bid Paul Walker a final goodbye. The song by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth is one in a long line of songs and covers underlined by tragedy and pain.

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10 The Cranberries – “The Icicle Melts”

On February 12, 1993, a month before his third birthday, James Bulger was abducted from a shopping centre in Bootle, Liverpool by two 10-year-old boys. The boys took the toddler to a railway line 2.5 miles away, where they tortured and killed him. The boys, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, were convicted of the murder in November 1993, making them the youngest convicted murderers in modern British history.

When Dolores O’Riordan heard of the tragedy, she was shattered. Pouring her feelings into her songwriting, she wrote the song “The Icicle Melts” as a reaction to James’ murder. During an interview in 1994, she explained that the case had moved her so much that she had to write a song about it.

Some believe to this day, that O’Riordan was against abortion and that the song was actually about being pro-life. However, it has been commonly accepted that “The Icicle Melts” was written as a response to the horrific murder of little James Bulger.

9 Kesha – “Praying”

In 2011, the DAS case against Kesha revealed that the singer had alerted several people in her life in 2005 that Dr. Luke, former producer and head of Kemosabe Records, had engaged in ‘unethical and unlawful actions against her.’ These actions included allegedly raping her in his hotel room in 2005 after giving her a date-rape drug.

The battle between Kesha and Luke continued for several years, with Kesha claiming that Luke forced her to release “Die Young” after receiving major backlash for the song’s lyrics. In 2014 Kesha filed a lawsuit against Luke claiming he sexually assaulted and hit her and that the aftermath of the traumatic event saw her suffering from depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. Luke responded by filing a countersuit against Kesha, her mother and manager Jack Rovner for defamation. Lady Gaga was dragged into the mess when she told a radio presenter during an interview that she’d been sexually assaulted by an unnamed music producer at the age of 19. Gaga however never confirmed that she was referring to Dr. Luke.

Lawsuits and fighting continued, with disturbing emails released in 2017 in which Luke appears to force Kesha into dieting. Luke exited as CEO of Kemosabe Records that year.

After his departure, Kesha released her first solo song since the lawsuit titled “Praying.” And even though the fighting between Kesha and Dr Luke still continues in 2021, this song is the one bright light throughout all of the darkness.

Kesha said that the song was about hoping that anyone, including abusers, can heal.

8 George Strait – “I Believe”

On December 14, 2012 20-year-old Adam Lanza shot and killed his mother and then set off for the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown where he massacred 20 first-graders and six teachers before turning the gun on himself. A motive was never established, but it was claimed that Lanza had extensive mental health issues that prevented him from interacting in a normal way with other people.

In 2013 country music singer George Strait, who lost his own daughter in a car accident in 1986, paid tribute to the victims of Sandy Hook by writing a beautiful song called “I Believe.” He was hesitant at first, not wanting to offend the victim’s families by using the tragedy as inspiration for the song but his wife eventually convinced him to do it.

7 Gary Levox – “She’s Going Places”

In one of the most frustrating criminal trials in history, 22-year-old Casey Anthony was found not guilty in 2011 of the first-degree murder of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. While her daughter was missing, Casey displayed almost no emotion and continued to party around town. When Caylee’s body was finally discovered and the investigation turned into a search for a murder suspect, all evidence seemed to point to Casey. Still, when the time came for a jury to convict her, there just wasn’t enough of said evidence to conclusively determine that she was guilty. Had things gone the other way and she’d been found guilty prosecutors would have pursued the death penalty as punishment.

Lead vocalist of country pop trio, Rascal Flatts, released a re-written version of a song called “She’s Going Places” in tribute of Caylee Anthony in 2011. Cledus T. Judd and Jimmy Yeary rewrote the lyrics and they all wanted to ensure that there would be no focus on Casey Anthony, but that the tribute would only be about little Caylee.

6 Elton John – “Candle in the Wind”

Songwriter, Bernie Taupin, was a huge fan of Marilyn Monroe and after co-writing Elton John’s hit song “Tiny Dancer” he started thinking about the best way to write a tribute song to her, without it coming off as tacky.

Out of these thoughts, the beautiful ballad “Candle in the Wind” was born. The title and lyrics of the song was inspired by a tribute to Janis Joplin in which the same phrase was used. The song was meant to be a heartfelt look at the life of Marilyn Monroe, and Taupin later said that the lyrics could also have been about James Dean, Montgomery Clift or Jim Morrison who were all cut short in the prime of their life.

Fast forward to 1997, when the shocking death of Princess Diana reverberated around the world, Taupin and Elton John decided to rework the lyrics to the song as a tribute to the princess. Elton performed it during Diana’s funeral and the song was also released as a single, becoming the best-selling single of all time in the UK.

Elton John never performed the reworked version of the song again, and vowed to only do so should one or both of Diana’s sons ask him to do so.

5 DJ Sammy – “Heaven” 9/11 remix

The song “Heaven” was written and recorded in 1983 and first appeared on the A Night in Heaven soundtrack album that same year. “Heaven” was inspired by the band Journey’s track “Faithfully”, and became Bryan Adams’ first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 2001 DJ Sammy released a dance cover of the song which quickly reached number one on the UK Singles chart. A stripped-down “Candlelight Mix” version saw the light in 2003. Also in 2003, the KKXX radio station in California recorded a tribute version of the song to commemorate the first anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. A former program director asked his daughter to read words off a script while he recorded her. These words were interspersed with the original chorus of the song.

“Heaven 9/11 Remix” became one of the most requested songs in the radio station’s history and was soon played on radio stations worldwide.

4 Johnny Cash – “Hurt”

Trent Reznor explained on Netflix’s Song Exploder that he’d always felt like an outsider and that sadness and a sense of abandonment always seemed to follow him. He also felt ill-equipped to deal with fame and all of these emotions let to the writing of the heartbreaking song “Hurt.”

In 2002, Johnny Cash recorded a haunting cover of the song, which provided a different interpretation of the lyrics. Cash, whose health was failing him at the age of 70, sang the words almost as if he knew that his life would end soon. The music video, considered today to be one of the saddest music videos of all time, was shot in February 2003, Three months later, Cash lost his wife. In September 2003, Johnny Cash passed away.

His final album American IV achieved gold status in the US.

3 Maren Morris – “Dear Hate”

On June 17, 2015 21-year-old Dylann Roof walked into the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. He opened fire on congregation members who were attending a Bible study, killing nine.

Two days later, singer Maren Morris wrote “Dear Hate”, and recorded it a year later. She hadn’t released it however, because she felt that it wasn’t the right time.

On October 1, 2017 64-year-old Stephen Paddock opened fire upon a crowd of festival goers attending the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas, killing 60 people. When Morris heard the news, she was devastated and posted the song online in tribute of the victims, saying that she realized that day there would never be a right time. She went on to write a lengthy Instagram post which included the following: “Hate is everywhere, and I’m sick of not doing enough. In the darkest tunnel, there is still love & music. That’s what it’s here for. Here is Dear Hate. Any cent I see from this I’m donating to the Music City Cares Fund.”

2 Led Zeppelin – “All my love”

Led Zeppelin were (and still are) one of the most popular rock bands in the world. The band gave the world unforgettable songs such as “Immigrant Song”, “Whole Lotta Love”, and “Stairway to Heaven.”

Frontman, Robert Plant, suffered a great tragedy in 1977, when he lost his five-year-old son Karac due to illness. His wife had called him during the band’s American tour and told him that she was very worried about Karac because he’d suddenly become sick. It was a mere two hours later when Plant received another phone call, informing him that his son had died.

In his grief, Plant was ready to give up his career, but he eventually pushed through, working with his band members on Led Zeppelin’s final album, In Through The Out Door. One of the most memorable songs on that album was the tribute song to Plant’s son titled “All My Love.”

The song was recorded in one session, because Plant couldn’t bear to sing the emotional words over and over.

1 Oslo residents – “Children of the Rainbow”

Pete Seeger released the American folk and children’s song “My Rainbow Race” on his Rainbow Race album in 1973. The song was translated into Norwegian as Barn av regnbuen which means Children of the Rainbow and it became the sixth-highest selling single in Norway in 1973.

On July 22, 2011, Anders Behring Breivik killed 77 people by detonating a van bomb in Oslo and then opening fire on the participants of a summer camp on the island of Utøya. Breivik, who identifies as a fascist and a Nazi, claimed during his trial that “Children of the Rainbow” was an example of Marxist propaganda and that it was “brainwashing” Norwegian children.

Norwegian singer-songwriter, Lillebjørn Nilsen, who had translated the old American folk song, stood up in defiance of these remarks and arranged a mass performance of the song during Breivik’s trial. More than 40,000 people in Oslo alone stood together to sing the song, and more people joined in from squares across the country.

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Being pretty isn’t easy. The most beautiful women in history weren’t just born that way. They put hard work into it—and, sometimes, a few crushed bug guts, stewed birds, or dung.

It’s the dirty little secret behind glamour: No matter how fantastic someone looks, it never comes naturally. Behind every great beauty in history, there’s a dirty secret about all the work that went into looking that good.

10 Empress Elisabeth: A Face Mask Lined With Raw Veal

The most beautiful woman on earth, in the 19th century, was Empress Elisabeth of Austria. She was famous across Europe for her impeccable skin and the thick, chestnut hair that fell all the way down to her feet.

None of which came easy. To keep her skin beautiful, she would crush strawberries over her hands, face, and neck, bathe in warm olive oil, and sleep in what has only been described as a “mask lined inside with raw veal.”^[1]

It was the closest she came to eating food. Her favorite dish was pressed extract of chicken, partridge, venison, and beef—which isn’t so much a “food” as something you’d find in a spice cabinet. And even then, she’d wrap herself in a corset so tight that her waist only measured 49.5 centimeters (19.5 in) around.

She spent three hours each day getting her hair down, mainly because it was so long that it would get tied up in knots. And when it was put up in ribbons, her hair would get so heavy that it would give her headaches.

It meant that, more often than not, she was stuck indoors, too afraid to let the wind ruin her hair. But if you want to be beautiful, sometimes you have to give up on little luxuries, like ever leaving your house.

9 Cleopatra: Bathing In Donkey Milk

Queen Cleopatra won the hearts of the most powerful men alive. Maybe it was her grace. Maybe it was her charm. Or maybe it was that sweet aroma of dung and insect guts.

Cleopatra, after all, almost certainly followed the usual beauty conventions of her time—and that meant wearing a lipstick made out of mashed-up beetle guts and putting powdered crocodile dung under her eyes.

But Cleopatra didn’t limit herself to a peasant’s beauty regimen. She was a queen, and that meant that she could afford the most luxurious treatment of all: bathing in sour donkey milk. Her servants would milk 700 donkeys each day so that they could fill a tub with their milk. Then, once it had gone bad, Cleopatra would bathe inside.

The theory was that it would reduce wrinkles—and it may actually have worked. Soured lactose turns into lactic acid, which can make the surface layer of skin on a woman’s body peel off, revealing the smoother, blemish-free skin underneath.^[2]

That was the real secret to her beauty: burning her flesh off.

8 Nefertiti: Wearing Enough Makeup To Kill You

The Egyptian queen Nefertiti’s name meant “the beautiful one has come”—and she lived up to it. She was so beautiful that, in the early 20th century, a statue of her face caused an international sensation. More than 3,000 years after she died, her looks were still front-page news.

And no wonder. She put no small amount of work into looking good.

The queens of Nefertiti’s time would be buried with their makeup,^[3] and so, while they didn’t write many of their beauty secrets down, we’ve been able to find their methods left behind in their tombs. While her tomb has never been found, the tombs of her contemporaries give us a pretty good idea of how she did it.

Nefertiti was completely hairless. Her entire body was shaved from head to toe with a razor, including the hair on the top of her head. Instead, she topped her head with a wig and painted her eyes black with something called kohl.

Ancient Egyptian kohl, incidentally, was made out of the dark lead ore galena—which means that Nefertiti was slowly killing herself with lead poisoning every time she put on makeup.

But it’s highly unlikely that the lead killed her. There’s simply no way it could have finished her off before her lipstick. Her lipstick, after all, contained bromine mannite, another toxic substance that it’s generally believed would have poisoned her long before the lead she dabbed around her eyes.

7 Queen Elizabeth I: Coating Your Skin In Lead

Poisoning yourself with lead is no passing fad. It’s been a great look for thousands of years. While Nefertiti may have dabbed a little lead around her eyes, it was nothing compared to Queen Elizabeth I.

During the Elizabethan era, the most popular skin product was something called “Venetian ceruse”—which, quite simply, was a mixture of lead and vinegar that women would put all over their skin to make them look porcelain white.^[4]

Nobody used more of it than Queen Elizabeth herself. When she was 29, Elizabeth contracted smallpox and was left with scars all over her skin. She was too humiliated to show her scars in public—and so, instead, she covered every inch of her flesh with the toxic white paint.

Queen Elizabeth used so much of it that she was completely unrecognizable without it. When one man, the Earl of Essex, accidentally peeked a sight of her without her makeup on, he went around joking that she’d hidden a “crooked carcass” underneath that thick veneer of Venetian ceruse.

6 Marie Antoinette: Stewed Pigeon Water

The French queen Marie Antoinette didn’t exactly let herself eat cake. She had a reputation as a world-class beauty, and she was determined to keep it up.

Like Empress Elisabeth, she would go to bed with a face mask, but Antoinette’s—made of cognac, eggs, powdered milk, and lemon—sounds a little bit less like a beauty treatment and a little bit more like the catering menu at a birthday party.

She’d start the morning by washing her face with a facial cleanser made out of pigeons. In those days, that was a selling point: the product came proudly labeled with the mean “Eau Cosmetique de Pigeon” and a little ad promising every bottle had been made with “eight pigeons stewed.”^[5]

Then she would get dressed—for the first of three times each day. As queen of France, Marie Antoinette was expected to never wear the same thing twice. And so, each year, she would 120,000 livres on clothes, the equivalent to about $4 million today.

She may even have indulged in the popular French fashion of tracing her veins with a blue pencil. At the time, the women of France wanted to be so thin that they were translucent—so they’d draw the inner workings of their bodies, trying to convince the men that they had transparent skin.

5 Mary, Queen Of Scots: Bathing In Wine

Mary, Queen of Scots, wasn’t a natural beauty. She was born with a nose a little large and a chin a little too sharp—but she was a queen, and she was determined to be beautiful.

To keep her skin as striking as possible, she had her servants fill a bathtub with a white wine.^[6] She would wade in it, convinced that the wine was improving her complexion.

It sounds decadent, but it’s actually something people still do today. Today, it’s called vinotherapy, and there are places all around the world where you can experience the Mary, Queen of Scots, treatment for yourself.

It’s hard to say exactly what the queen used, but the modern vinotherapists don’t actually pour drinkable, alcoholic wine. Instead, they use the leftover compost from the winemaking process; the “pips and pulps” of grapes that get left behind. So, no—you can’t get drunk off of it.

4 Empress Zoe Porphyrogenita: Starting Your Own Cosmetics Lab

Empress Zoe Porphyrogenita was one of the most beautiful women in the Byzantine Empire. She didn’t just look good when she was young, though. Even when she was well into her sixties, it’s said, she still looked like a 20-year-old.^[7]

She certainly worked hard enough for it. After becoming the empress, Zoe Porphyrogenita had an entire laboratory dedicated to making her cosmetics built inside of the imperial palace. It was a real cosmetic factory, every bit as huge and expensive as the ones that supply whole countries. At this one, though, Zoe was the only customer.

It was expensive—but for the empress, blowing a small fortune was just all in a day’s work. It’s said that she was “the sort of woman who could exhaust a sea teaming with gold-dust in one day.”

But it’s also said that “like a well-baked chicken, every part of her was firm and in good condition.” This is definitive proof that it worked, because, clearly, Zoe looked so good that the men who saw her were so smitten that they couldn’t even form a sentence that didn’t make your skin crawl.

3 Lucrezia Borgia: Spending Multiple Days Washing Your Hair

The poet Lord Byron once said that Lucrezia Borgia’s hair was “the prettiest and fairest imaginable.” He wasn’t just trying out a line for a new poem—he was in love, so much so, in fact, that he stole a strand of her hair and kept it by his bed.

It sounds one of those touching love stories that usually end with someone filing a restraining order. Lucrezia, though, probably appreciated it. She deserved a little recognition for the amount of work she put into that hair—because she would spend days washing it.^[8]

Lucrezia’s hair was bright and blonde, but that wasn’t nature. Everyone else in her family had dark hair. Lucrezia, though, made sure hers shined like the Sun by rinsing it in lye and lemon juice for hours, then drying it out in the sunlight for the better part of a day.

It took so much time that she repeatedly canceled trips to wash her hair. Multiple letters from Lucrezia’s attendants have survived to to this day. In them, she politely apologizes to people and explains that she will be a few days late because she has to “put her clothes in order and wash her head.”

2 Helen Of Troy: Bathing In Vinegar

Helen of Troy had the face that launched 1,000 ships. She was a woman so beautiful that thousands of men died for her honor.

Well, either that, or else she was just a figment of an old Greek guy’s imagination. If Homer really did make her up, though, he had a remarkable understanding of women’s cosmetic care. Because packed deep in her legend is a beauty regimen that really works.

Helen of Troy, according to the Iliad, would bathe in vinegar.^[9] Every day, her attendants would prepare what, technically speaking, was a bathtub full of acid, and she would just dive right in.

Today, people tend to assume that she used apple cider vinegar or that she diluted it in water, simply because, otherwise, it sounds pretty horrible. After all, that’s something people still do today—bathe in a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. And it actually works. The vinegar balances the body’s pH levels, which can have a cleansing effect.

But there’s nothing saying Helen of Troy ever added water. She may just have dived right into a bathtub filled to the brim with white vinegar. It would’ve hurt, and she would’ve smelled—but that’s what it takes to look good enough to start a war.

1 Simonetta Vespucci: Arsenic, Leeches, And Human Urine

Even if you don’t know her name, you’ve seen Simonetta Vespucci’s face. She was the muse for some of the greatest painters of the Renaissance.^[10] She was even chosen to model for the goddess of love herself at the center of the painting The Birth of Venus.

In the Renaissance, everyone wanted to look like her. And so they copied her beauty regimen—leeches, poisons, and all.

To keep their skin pale, white, and beautiful, the women in Vespucci’s time would attach leeches to their ears. The leeches would drain the blood out of their faces, leaving them deathly pale.

Those who didn’t want to go that far, though, could always use a face mask. Renaissance women would mix bread crumbs and egg whites with vinegar and then apply it liberally on their faces—a beauty secret that, conveniently, doubles as a great recipe for fried chicken.

Eyebrow hair, at the time, had to be plucked, or, ideally, burned straight off. Women would remove their hairs with arsenic and rock alum and then sand it all down with gold.

But that was nothing compared to what they’d do to get that long, flowing, golden mane of hair on her head. For Vespucci, it just came naturally, but the poorer women who wanted to copy her found their own way. They bleached their hair in human urine.

Sure, it sounds gross—but every beautiful woman has to do a few things that just aren’t pretty.

Spiders get a bad rap in the animal kingdom, often described as “creepy,” “chilling,” and even “frightening.” Six percent of us are so obsessively afraid of our eight-legged friends, our fear has been dubbed a phobia. The rest of us tolerate them. Their image is not enhanced by their hairy legs, multiple eyes and venom-dripping fangs. This is why they’re a staple of campy horror films and Halloween decor.

But there are spiders that are surprisingly pleasing to the eye. While few of us will likely purchase stuffed likenesses of these spiders to cuddle, it’s hard to argue their beauty.

Top 10 Deadliest Spiders

10 Sparklemuffin

Like most Peacock spiders, Maratus jactatus does an elaborate courtship dance punctuated by leg kicks. Imagine a Rockette who’s forgotten to shave their legs. We’ll see another Peacock spider later. In 2014, Madeline Girard, a graduate student at the University of California, Berkley, discovered this new species^[1] in southeast Queensland, Australia. Girard lovingly gave her new find the nickname “Sparklemuffin.”

Mr. Sparklemuffin has a blue and red iridescent belly flap that it raises like a colorful fan to catch the eye of a Ms. Sparklemuffin. When he’s not kicking his leg up, he’s using it and his seven other appendages to rhythmically tap out a message to his perspective mate. Envision a fan and tap dance with can-can kicks. Fortunately for him, Ms. Sparklemuffin has eight eyes^[2], giving her a wide-angle view of this dance, as well the ability to see motion. Unfortunately for him, if Ms. Sparklemuffin doesn’t like what she sees, she’ll eat him. Only four of her eyes see forward, the rest giving new meaning to having eyes in the back – and side – of your head. Those eyes can also see a far greater spectrum of colors than the human eye.

Perhaps just as remarkable as Sparklemuffin’s footloose attitude is that his size does not match his audacity. Sparklemuffin measures a mere 4 mm (1/6 of an inch) and could perch comfortably on your pinkie’s fingernail.

9 Brazilian Crab Spider

Epicadus heterogaster is a member of the crab spider family, so-called because their front legs are longer and arch forward instead of downward, giving them a crab appearance. They also can also “crab walk” sideways and backwards. Crab spiders don’t spin webs, but wait until insects come close enough to ambush.

Epicadus heterogaster does this two ways. The smaller juvenile camouflages itself by perching on flowers that match it’s coloring – either white, yellow or purple.^[3] It also has an abdominal protuberance that could be mistaken for flower petals. Even its slow, jerky movements look more like foliage swaying in the breeze.

An adult Epicadus heterogaster can also lure insects with a body color that reflects UV light. Scientists discovered this when they applied sunscreen to the back of a female and watched insects ignore it. They are not sure why UV reflective light attracts pollinating insects, but it’s possible the light mimics a flower’s UV color patterns or natural bright spots.^[4]

8 Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Metallic Blue Tarantula

First classified in 1899 as Poecilotheria metallica after it was discovered in the Gooty train yard in south central India, this tarantula virtually disappeared for 102 years. Rediscovered in 2001 in a small 100 sq. km (39 sq. mile) forested area in Indias’s Kadapah and Chittoor districts of Andhra Padesh, it quickly became a prized pet for tarantula enthusiasts. Which is both unfortunate and fortunate for this beautiful spider. Andhra Padesh’s forest is quickly degrading due to logging and human encroachment, putting the Gooty Sapphire on the “critically endangered” species list. What was worse, in the years after it was rediscovered, poachers captured these tarantulas to sell. It is now illegal to take Gooty Sapphires out of their natural habitat, but it is legal to purchase domesticated spiders and breed them.^[5] Their popularity in Europe and the US may give the species new hope.

In the wild, Gooty Sapphires build funnel webs in the holes of trees, and wait to ambush any insect that comes near. They then bite their prey with their venomous ¾ inch fangs. Which means only experienced tarantula enthusiasts should take a Gooty Sapphire as pets. They’re aggressive and very fast. While their venom is not normally deadly to humans, their bite is painful and will give a human headaches and increased heart-rates for up to a week.^[6]

The rich blue and yellow hues of the Gooty Sapphire originates not so much from actual coloring, but from tiny nanostructures on the tarantula’s hairs that bend and reflect blue and yellow light. This means the Gooty Sapphire will appear a different color depending on the angle it is viewed, a trait know as iridescence. Peacocks and dragonflies also have this trait.

7 Sequined or Mirror Spider

Another Australian native, Thwaitesia nigronodosa resides in Queensland’s rainforests. Like most of the various members of the genus Thwaitesia, it has been given the monikers Sequined Spider or Mirror Spider, a reference to its disco ball-like butt. Its trunk is filled with specialized cells called guanocytes, a crystalized version of a digestive waste product – guanine – that the spider would normally poop out. The guanine reflects light making it appear silver, like a mirror, and the combined cells form a sort of poop mosaic. This glittery keister is especially helpful when hiding amongst the rain-glistened foliage of a rainforest.^[7]

The Mirror Spider has yet another defense mechanism: if it’s disturbed or must quickly drop from its web, it can immediately hide the guanocyte cells, changing its outer appearance to a drabber hue, like the muddy ground. How it does this is not well understood, but it’s believed it contracts muscles that cover the guanocytes. In short, butt clenches.

6 Elegant Golden Jumping Spider

We’ve known about the beautiful chrysilla lauta for more than 130 years, but it is so rare, and so tiny – a mere few millimeters in size – little is known about it. We don’t know if its beautiful iridescent coloring is for camouflage or catching a mate’s eye. We’re not even really sure what the female of this species looks like.^[8]

What we do know is that chrysilla lauta is a member of the jumping spider family and the few videos of it demonstrate that this little guy is a world-class long jumper. There are more than 5,000 species of jumping spiders and make up about 13 percent of all spider species. Even though they have no leg muscles, they can jump 50 times their own length using hydraulic motion. Their hairy legs also give them traction in virtually any terrain including glass.^[9] That terrain is usually in the jungles of China, Burma and Vietnam.

10 Fascinating Mysteries Involving Spiders

5 Eight-Spotted Crab Spider

Among the largest crab spiders in the world, Platythomisus octomaculatus can be 7.6 cm ( 3 in) in size. Despite this, they are relatively elusive in the wilds of Southeast Asia stretching from India to Burma to Singapore.^[10]

If the name “Eight-spotted” is confusing after counting the spider’s spots, you’re not alone. When the German arachnologist Carl Koch called this species octomaculatus (octo meaning eight) back in 1845, no one seems to know which spots he was counting. His drawings of the species indicates four pairs of abdominal spots, not the three pairs plus an elongated bar we see today. What makes it even more confusing, the number of spots on this spider’s dorsal abdomen changes as it grows. Hatchlings have only two, and, as it ages, acquires more spots not just on the top of its abdomen, but one big one underneath. It also grows six on the forward part of the spider known as the carapace, including the so-called “Panda” spots around its eyes. What’s worse, the size of the spots on the adult female after laying eggs changes significantly. The confusion has led to misidentification of many other species with similar spots.^[11]

4 Triangular Spider

We’ve long been aware for a long time that horseshoe crabs were not crabs at all, but it wasn’t until 2019 that scientists parsed it’s DNA to discover it actually was a distant cousin to spiders and scorpions.^[12]

If we compared the exteriors of spiders and crabs, it would be easy to believe they were related. They are both arthropods, with their skeletons on the outside (i.e. exoskeletons) and both have jointed legs. And Arkys lancearius – a member of the spider crab family – has the coloring and abdomen shape similar to its crustacean namesake. Even its legs are crab-like. That is until you count the legs: arachnids have eight, crustaceans ten or more. And when we look at the innards of crabs and spiders, we can clearly see they are not really related at all.^[13]

Like horseshoe crabs, triangular spiders defy classification. Since it was first described in 1837, Arkys lancearius has been placed in several different families and the debate is still raging. They are common in the warmer environs of Australia and New Zealand and come in either red, yellow, orange, brown, black and white hues.^[14] They are ambush hunters, using webbing as safety lines rather than in trapping prey.

3 Long Horned Orb Weaver Spider

Of the 35,000 species of spiders, half of them form webs to catch prey. Perhaps the most recognizable webs are the radial grid ones, made up of concentric circles and held together by spokes. Most of these creations – commonly used in Halloween decorations – are the work of the orb weaver family (Araneidae).^[15] The term “orb” can be confusing, as it originates from the old English word for a two-dimensional circle, rather than the modern three-dimensional sphere. With more than 3,000 species, the Araneidae family is the third largest among spiders, and the most diverse in size and appearance.

As if to prove the point, the female Macracantha arcuata sports an impressive pair of antenna-like horns on its abdomen. But those horns are not meant to catch some tunes, but – it’s believed – to make her more intimidating to predators.^[16] Those abdomens can either be red, white, black or yellow and the females are often about a centimeter in size. The male is usually a tenth of that in size, which makes him snack-size for the female after coitus.^[17] Macracantha arcuata is yet another denizen of the jungles of Southeast Asia, but, because of accidental introductions, can also now be found in Southeast United States.^[18]

2 Cat-faced Spider

Another orb weaver, Araneus gemmoides has been dubbed the Cat-faced spider because of the pair of horns on its abdomen that look like a kitty’s ears. Posterior to the horns are eye-like dimples with striations on either side similar to a Tabby’s striped cheeks. To complete the image, the abdomen is covered in tiny fine hairs. Araneus gemmoides comes in various colors ranging from a pale yellow to a dark gray-brown.^[19]

The cat-faced spider is fairly common in the western United States, their home stretching from Alaska to California and as far east as Colorado. Both sexes have bulbous butts, but the female’s gets even more bulbous after she mates with (and eats) her paramour. Before the winter frost, Mom is dead, leaving a substantial egg sac chock full of literal ankle-biters. In the spring, the eight-legged babes snack on each other before they hoist silken threads to catch a breeze and carry them elsewhere. The venom of Araneus gemmoides is not dangerous to a human, nor can its fangs pierce the skin. But those fangs can give the back of your hand a severe pinch.^[20]

1 Maratus Madelineae

Maratus Madelineae was not given a flashy name like our earlier entry and fellow peacock spider Sparklemuffin, but the story behind its species name illustrates the explosion of interest in peacock spiders in the last decade.

The peacock spider – genus Maratus – was first described way back in 1874, its beautiful, iridescent belly flaps mistaken for wings. While quite common in Australia, little research was done on the tiny spider for over 130 years with only five more species identified during that time. That all changed in 2005 when a mite expert working for the Australian Department of Agriculture, Jurgen Otto, noticed a brownish speck skipping around his feet during a hike (or, in Aussie parlance, a bushwalk). Otto was an entomologist concerned with six-legged bugs and had never heard of a peacock spider, so he took it to Julianne Waldock, an arachnologist at the West Australia Museum. Waldock had spent the previous decade studying Maratus and it was she who believed the little guy danced and hoisted their colors not to fly but to gain a dance partner.

Otto was enthralled, filling his home with 300 captured peacock spiders. Otto was also an avid photographer and his pictures caught the attention of a South Carolina jumping spider expert, David Hill.^[21] In 2011, Otto used a macro lens to capture a peacock spider’s dance, and created a YouTube video complete with the Bee Gee’s Staying Alive soundtrack and photoshopped maracas. It garnered 7.5 million views. People couldn’t get enough of the cute little guy.

That same year Otto and Hill described and named their first new Maratus species. In the next eight years, they would name 46 more. Waldock would name nine. What’s more, Otto’s YouTube video inspired hordes of amateur scientists and photographers to descend on Australia in search of the tiny dancers. For instance, Maratus Harrisi was named after an amateur photographer, Stuart Harris, simply posted a photo of a peacock spider on Flickr only to find out it was an undiscovered species. Otto, too, has a peacock spider named after him (Maratus Ottoi) as does Waldock (Maratus Julianneae). And Maratus Madelineae is named after Madeline Girard who gave Sparklemuffin its name.^[22] In total, 71 species of peacock spiders were discovered and named between 2011 and 2019.

When Maratus Madelineae dances, it doesn’t just kick a leg up like his cousin Sparklemuffin, but raises two appendages over its head, waving them like he just don’t care. And sometimes he brings them together as if he were clapping. Just below its eyes and covering what would be our mouth are a pair of secondary legs known as pedipalps or just palps. On Maratus Madelineae the palps are white and hairy, looking for all the world like an old man’s beard. And when he dances, he rhythmically bobs those palps, looking like an old man chewing on his dentures. In his video, he looks a little like grandpa attempting the hokey-pokey.

As a final note, for those few who do want a cuddly, stuffed spider toy, they really do make a felt wool-stuffed Maratus Madelineae for your enjoyment. And you can buy a stuffed Sparklemuffin too.^[23]

Top 10 Bizarre Spiders

About the author: Steve is the author of the bestselling biography “366 Days in Abraham Lincoln’s Presidency” and several not-so-bestselling novels, unrecognized (probably because they’re also unpublished) for their literary contribution to the garbage bin.

Buildings are abandoned for several reasons including financial woes and environmental disasters. The shells that remain often make for beautiful pictures, even if a somewhat eerie atmosphere persists. On this list are just some of the many abandoned structures on Earth, deserted for a variety of reasons and sometimes visited by those looking for a thrill.

Top 10 Towns People Abandoned For No Reason

10 Cape Romano Dome House

In 1980, Bill Lee started work on his dream: an eco-friendly and self-sufficient home on Cape Romano on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It took three years and a lot of hard work, but by 1982 he had built himself a home able to sustain hurricane-force winds. The house included solar panels, a well-thought-out gutter system that allowed rainfall to be used as running water inside.

The home resembles a series of futuristic-looking domes and the Lee family enjoyed it as a vacation house for a while. Rumors soon started making the rounds that the dome house was guarded by people with machine guns, among other wild stories including that the structure was built by aliens.

Lee sold the house in 1984, but where the new owners ran into financial difficulties in 1987, Lee repossessed the place and stayed there until 1993. That same year Hurricane Andrew hit Florida but the house stood strong. Erosion on Cape Romano was a big problem however, and the firm sand began to sink into the ocean water. Lee had no choice but to evacuate permanently.

Today, concrete pillars are the only support system keeping the structure above water.

9 Lapalice Castle

In 1979, artist Piotr Kazimierczak started work on an over-the-top studio, in the form of Lapalice Castle. He wanted the ‘studio’ to be a huge estate comprising of twelve towers and a ballroom. Unfortunately, Kazimierczak soon ran out of funds and had to leave his dream behind.

Today Lapalice Castle stands abandoned in a small Polish village, occasionally visited by the brave at heart who don’t fear its ghosts or the fragile state of its 52 rooms. Kazimierczak hasn’t given up hope though. As recently as 2017 he was still fighting against plans for the castle to be demolished, hoping that it would have some legal protection after standing for more than 20 years.

8 Power Plant IM

Resembling something out of an apocalypse movie, Power Plant IM sits abandoned in Charleroi, Belgium. When it was first constructed in the 1920s, it was one of the largest coal-burning power plants in the country. By 1977 it was the main source of power in Charleroi and could cool down 480,000 gallons of water per minute. New components were introduced then, which meant the power plant could also use gas power.

All was not as great as it seemed however, and when a report found that the power plant was to blame for 10% of all CO2 emissions in Belgium, it was shut down in 2007.

A decision was taken to demolish the structure soon after, but it still stands in 2021, greenery slowly but surely lining its insides.

7 Macassar Beach Pavilion

The False Bay coastline in South Africa is one of the most spectacular sights in the world and incorporates the magnificently scenic Clarence Drive. It is along this coastline you will find a sight that is out of place with the bright sunshine, blue ocean and bustling beaches. Hidden amid sand dunes in Macassar lies the Macassar Beach Pavilion, an abandoned water theme park.

The park was built in 1991 and was once a hugely popular beach resort. Financial difficulties led to the park being abandoned and the shifting sand dunes has all but claimed the structure. The park’s buildings are now filled to the brim with sand, its walls covered in graffiti and its atmosphere is almost one of despair.

6 Atlantis Marine Park

As Perth’s economy boomed, Alan Bond dreamed up a plan to built a resort that would grow tourism in Western Australia. The result of his ambition was the Atlantis Marine Park, built in 1981. It was a hit with families in particular and the park was packed with people wanting to see dolphin shows and have a swim in the pools.

Sadly, the stock market crash of ’87 put a halt to the economic boom and Atlantis closed down in 1990. Since then, the complex has been left abandoned with only old statues to greet those who still walk their dogs there. A massive statue of King Neptune was eventually restored after an online campaign by locals who also took it upon themselves to clean up the park. The statue and surrounding areas are open to the public on weekends, but during the week the shell of what used to be a busy marine park remains abandoned.

5 Stack Rock Fort

Between 1850 and 1852 at least 150 soldiers were stationed inside Stack Rock Fort in Wales, with the goal of defending the Royal Naval Dockyard against invasion. Stack Rock Fort was disarmed in 1929 and now remains perched on an island off the West Wales coastline, isolated and surrounded by a thick atmosphere of eeriness. Ghost hunters have visited the fort and claimed to have heard voices, rumbling sounds and loud bangs emanating from the structure.

It went on sale in June 2018 and is believed to have been sold for £400,000. It was sold again in 2020 to an anonymous buyer who is supposedly planning to make the location accessible to the public again.

4 Al Madam

An old legend has it that a ‘jinn’ drove away the residents of a small village situated along the old Dubai-Hatta road, two kilometers away from Al Madam. The village is made up of two rows of houses with a mosque at the end and all of these buildings were so well constructed that there is hardly a crack or paint peel to be seen.

However, residents did not contend with the nature of the sand in the area which ended up invading the houses and burying their bright rooms halfway up to the ceiling. Some of the buildings have been swallowed up entirely by the sand. Surrounding the sunken houses are abandoned shops and building sites overlooked by stunning sand dunes.

3 Burj Al Babas

What was supposed to be a dream Disney castle valley, turned into a wasted development of over 250 thousand square meters at the foot of the Mudurnu hills in Turkey.

732 castles were built here as luxury vacation homes for rich tourists. The developers went bankrupt in 2018, causing investors to quickly pull out of the deal. Now the French chateaux-style castles stand empty, some with half-finished rooms.

What’s more, the residents of Mudurnu abhor the construction project as it is not in keeping with the traditional architecture in the area including Ottoman wooden houses, Byzantine buildings and a mosque dating back 600 years.

2 Reschensee

In 1950, the construction of a dam that unified 3 lakes led to the flooding of the small village of Graun. The village was completely submerged with the exception of the church bell tower that still sticks out of Reschensee or Lake Reschen. The lake lies in the western portion of South Tyrol, Italy and is near the border of Austria and Switzerland.

The bells of the church tower that remains in the lake were removed before Graun was flooded, but legend has it that when winter blankets the area in snow, the sound of church bells ring out from the lone tower. When the water of the lake freezes over, it is possible to reach the bell tower by foot.

1 Rummu prison

The Rummu prison in Estonia was constructed next to a limestone quarry in which its prisoners were forced to work. Estonia regained its independence in 1991, forcing the Soviets and their institutions out. The prison and the quarry were both abandoned as a result.

Soon, underground water created a new lake, submerging the mining machinery and even whole buildings. These days, only some parts of the old prison are still visible on land while others are half-submerged in lake water. For this reason, the area has become somewhat of a popular diving spot with divers curious to explore the prison structure under water. That is when on-site security guards don’t chase them off, that is.

10 Abandoned Places Being Reclaimed By Nature

Our visual panoramas of our countries’ and territories’ terrains and vistas shape our sense of belonging, yet the world is always transforming. Tectonic activity, air currents, moisture, heat, and people all work together to reshape what we accept as familiar terrain, stripping away immense ravines, creating new land with steaming molten rock, and moving the paths of great river systems.

Large numbers of famous attractions all around the world have dramatically changed shape—or, worse, vanished—over the last five decades. The famous Darwin’s Arch in the Galápagos Islands disintegrated into the ocean in 2021, joining a multitude of other natural wonders that have been lost to time. Serving as a reminder that our world is constantly changing, here are a few of the world’s natural wonders that have been lost forever.

Related: 10 Beautiful And Bizarre Natural Wonders

10 Chacaltaya Glacier, Bolivia

Glaciers all over the world have shrunk rapidly in recent years, with several disappearing completely. In South America, climate change, specifically increased temperatures, steadily increasing humidity, and changes in rainfall patterns, are being blamed for the extremely rapid demise of the Andean glaciers. In the tropical Andes region, the average annual temperatures have been steadily rising at a rate of 0.33°C (0.6°F) every ten years since the 1990s. The accompanying high humidity levels also significantly contribute to the reduction of the Andean glaciers by causing the ice to melt instead of being turned into vapor via a process scientists call sublimation.

The Chacaltaya glacier, located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) to the northeast of La Paz, managed to lose over 60% of its mass from the 1940s to the 1980s and over 90% at the turn of the century. At that point, scientists predicted that the Chacaltaya glacier could very well disappear completely by 2015. However, rapid temperature increases due to global warming hastened the process, and the glacier vanished in 2009, leaving the slopes once overwhelmed with skiers dry and empty.^[1]

9 Azure Window, Malta

In Malta, the Azure Window was carved into Gozo Island’s limestone cliffs over hundreds of years. It withstood thousands of storms during its existence, but on March 8, 2017, it was pummelled into the sea forever during the worst storm of the season. Before its collapse, the instantly recognizable site in Dwejra Bay was one of Malta’s most popular tourist spots. In fact, most of us saw it during the Game of Thrones series.

However, four years later, it seems quite possible that the Maltese people’s shared broken heart might very well soon be patched up. The renowned architect Svetozar Andreev, in collaboration with the designer Elena Britanishskaya, has created a phenomenal concept for the restoration of this long-time historical landmark in the form of a massive artwork. The two Russian artists have already submitted the conceptual design to the relevant authorities. The remarkable project has already crept into the hearts of the locals who refer to it as the “The Heart of Malta.”^[2]

8 Hillary Step on Mount Everest, Nepal

Since the day during 2017 when climbers announced that the “Hillary Step” vanished, the status of the rocky outcrop, christened after Everest’s famous summiteer Sir Edmund Hillary, has been a source of considerable controversy. Edmund Hillary and the Sherpa Tenzing Norgay successfully reached the summit after taking the steep step to the top, becoming the first climbers in our known history to reach the summit in 1953. After that first prolific climb, all climbers attempting to summit by way of the southern route have been using ropes to best the fearsome challenge before they reach the top, where they have to swing one leg over the “saddle” to get to the other side.

Experts believe that a 2015 earthquake may have dislodged the vertical outcropping. However, the Nepalese government maintains that it is just buried in snow—but they have admitted that all guides have been forbidden from discussing the Hillary Step due to the matter’s sensitive nature. As of 2017, numerous before and after photographs showing an obvious lack of the rocky protrusion have circulated. Despite the government’s claims, climbers have already started to refer to the Hillary staircase rather than the Hillary step when discussing the area.^[3]

7 Slims River, Canada

In the early summer of 2017, an entire river in the Yukon territory of Canada vanished within a mere four days. The trigger to the event was the rapid retreat of the enormous Kaskawulsh Glacier, which redirected the meltwater from the Slims River toward another river. According to scientists, the event marked the first incidence of “river piracy” in contemporary times. These shifts are also effectively reducing the size of Kluane Lake, the Yukon’s largest lake.

The Slims River’s demise has had an immediate and profound influence on the environment, disbursing fish stocks, completely changing the composition of neighboring lakes, and causing a rash of novel dust storms to hit the province. Many other glacial-fed rivers in the area, such as those that provide water and hydroelectric power to higher populated areas, may also be impacted. Geologists describe it as a previously unseen side-effect of global warming. This could also come to occur at other glacial-fed rivers throughout the world, placing river-dependent communities and environments at grave risk moving forward.^[4]

6 Sequoia Tunnel Tree, California

The glorious Pioneer Cabin “tunnel tree” in Calaveras Big Trees State Park in California was one of several colossal trees cut in the 1800s to boost California’s tourist industry. By the time it toppled over in 2017, it was California’s last giant sequoia featuring a drive-through arched doorway in its trunk. Although the true age of the Pioneer Cabin tree is unknown, several Sequoia trees within the area are well over 1,000 years old. And even older trees (dating back more than 3,000 years) have been discovered in nearby Yosemite National Park.

Only a few Sequoias were “tunneled-through” to serve the tourism purpose, the most famous of which was Yosemite’s Wawona Tree, estimated to have been around 2,100 years old when a storm brought it down in 1969. Today, the only lingering sequoia tree tunnels that can be found are either made up of stacked logs or trees that have long since died.

However, some drive-through “tunnel-trees” still exist. You can still visit three coastal Redwood trees (which are even longer but slimmer than the Sequoias) with tunnels cut through them. Although all three are owned by private companies, according to the Forest Service, they still allow cars to pass through and make for an incredible photo opportunity should anyone be passing through Northern California.^[5]

5 God’s Finger, Spain

The symbol of Gran Canaria, El Dedo de Dios, also known as “God’s Finger,” used to be a 98-foot-tall rock formation to the north of Gran Canaria, an island in the chain that makes up the Canary Islands. The rock’s distinct shape has inspired numerous artists over the years, and many believe that the famous writer Domingo Doreste was the first to pen its name.

In November 2005, tropical storm Delta created havoc all along the coastline, and the ensuing immense waves finally toppled the top part of the 300,000-year-old rock feature. After “God’s Finger” was destroyed, a team of experts investigated the possibility of rebuilding the famous landmark. However, the majority advised against its restoration and outlined a plan to conserve what remained of the iconic rock. Today what remains of the rocky feature is known as Roque Partido. Although the landscape has lost a little bit of its magic, it is still one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.^[6]

4 Old Man of the Mountain, New Hampshire

The legendary granite rock face of New Hampshire’s Old Man of the Mountain collapsed in 2003. The 6,530 metric ton angular rocky outcrop stood nearly 45 feet tall and 30 feet wide on a mountainside in a climate prone to freeze-thaw corrosion. As a result, it was widely anticipated that the state emblem, also known as the Great Stone Face, would eventually collapse. Several previous efforts to preserve the natural wonder had been made beginning from the early 1900s. However, the news of the Old Man’s demise still surprised many geologists.

As with many of the other lost natural wonders on our list, local residents wished to reconstruct the lost monument. Arguments against such a project, such as the remaining rock mass’s volatility, the threat to workers, and the potential for environmental harm, eventually put an end to any such plans. Instead, the Old Man of the Mountain Legacy Fund spearheaded a new project to honor the Old Man of the Mountain. If you go to the spot today, you’ll find yourself in a plaza with special viewers or profilers that create a perfect optical illusion of the mountain’s former rockface.^[7]

3 The Aral Sea, Central Asia

The Aral Sea used to be among the five largest landlocked stretches of water in the world. Today its shallow remains can be found in Central Asia’s climatically hostile geographical area, not far from the Caspian Sea. The disappearance of the Aral Sea is of keen importance and rising concern to researchers due to the enormous reduction in its surface area, which began in the second half of the twentieth century and has continued to this day. The redirection of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river systems for irrigation purposes when the area was under Soviet control was pretty much exclusively responsible for this change, as both were primary contributors to inflowing water to the Aral Sea.

By 1989, the Aral Sea had shrunk into two distinct bodies of water, the “Lesser Sea” in the north and the “Greater Sea” in the south, with salinities nearly three times higher than in the early 1960s. By the end of the last century, the Aral Sea had disintegrated into three different lakes: a long, slender western lake, a larger, wider eastern lake, and a small remnant of the Lesser Sea to the north. NASA satellite images from 2014 confirmed that the Aral Sea’s eastern lake had disappeared completely. Today, the eastern basin has been renamed the Aralkum Desert. The disappearance of the Aral Sea has been dubbed “one of the world’s worst environmental disasters.”^[8]

2 Valley of Geysers, Russia

The Valley of Geysers in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula used to be the world’s second-largest concentration of natural geysers—the first being Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. About 90 geysers could be found in the 6-km-long (3.7-mile) basin. Tragically, the Valley of Geysers was struck by a massive landslide in 2007. A mudslide containing snow, water, stones, and shards of rock swept down at 20-25 miles per hour, engulfing everything in its wake. The mass flooded the river and produced a dam, consuming the Valley of Geysers’ most spectacular features: boiling springs, thermal fields, and waterfalls.

The water eventually receded over the next few months, but the landscape was irrevocably altered: a new geyser, Mladenec, emerged, and a few ancient geysers, notably Pervenets geyser, were submerged by the newborn Geysernaya Lake, which came into being after the landslide. Luckily, the Valley of Geysers had a surprise in store. Six years after the catastrophe, it began to heal itself. The water levels of Lake Geysernaya started dropping in 2013, allowing previously undiscovered geysers to erupt. Even though it’s improbable that the area will revert to its pre-2007 beauty, it’s far too early to abandon its charms.^[9]

1 Ténéré Tree, Niger

For hundreds of generations, a single acacia tree thrived amid the sands of Africa’s Sahara desert. The lonely tree provided shade for years for all its weary visitors. But it also offered so much more. It functioned not only as a landmark along a lengthy trade route through the desolate countryside but also as a testament to life’s tenacity, as it was the only tree that could be found for 250 miles. In the 1930s, European military campaigners who came across the tree in the wilderness dubbed it L’Arbre du Ténéré (The Tree of Tenere), and its placement on cartographers’ charts highlighted the tree’s exceptional peculiarity as the world’s most secluded tree.

The loneliest tree in the world met its end in 1973, when a truck driver traveling along the ancient caravan route smashed into the tree, tearing its trunk into two. In the blink of an eye, a solitary careless deed terminated a connection to a history that was so firmly ingrained in the desert sands and the ideology of generation after generation who had come to deeply love and treasure it. The truck driver, who has never been publicly identified or named, was rumored to have been intoxicated when the accident occurred.^[10]