Is it possible for something as destructive as mining to create beauty and new life? Mining has undoubtedly devastated some communities and natural environments, but with new methods of land reclamation being developed every day, there might be a silver lining. The northeastern Chinese city of Qingdao, once an infamous mining region, has been transformed into an ecological wonder filled with pavilions, clean energy technology and gardens for the 2014 International Horticultural Expo, reported CNN. But it's not just the...

Looking at the rocks, sand and sidewalks beneath our feet, you might get the impression that the earth is permanently fixed in place, immobile and unchanging. But in fact the ground is changing all the time, from earthquakes and volcanoes reshaping regional geology to the continental drift that has brought our continents together and apart again and again throughout geologic history. The United States has seen its fair share of geologic upheaval – mountain ranges in the east and west,...

'Yacht 3' (Laurent Maes) Belgian photographer Laurent Maes captures incredible high-resolution images of ships from above in his “Shipshape” photo series. The photos are so crisp that when they are zoomed in, details of each freighter or yacht can be seen clearly. “Aerial views of this type have been done before, but never with this level of precision,” Maes explained to weather.com. “The very high definition of pictures allows them to be printed at sizes up to 10 feet.” (MORE:...

'The Playground.' Seaside Sanitarium (Seaside Regional Center) in Waterford, Connecticut. (Robert C. Marsala) There's something especially eerie about a hospital that has been reclaimed by nature and left to the elements. Once pristine, sterile, and bustling with activity, these once-grand structures are now crumbling in ruins and decay.In his reports from abandoned cities such as Chernobyl, Ukraine and Varosha, Cyprus for his best-selling book "The World Without Us," Alan Weisman wrote that structures crumble as weather does unrepaired damage and...

The campaign to protect the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks area in southern New Mexico has been 10 years in the making, but last week, President Barack Obama designated nearly a half-million acres of the rugged — and spectacular — desert terrain as the country's newest national monument. The proclamation, which Obama signed at the Department of Interior Wednesday, creates the largest national monument of Obama's presidency so far, according to the Washington Post. The Organ Mountains, named for their similarity in...

The Type L483 transmitter bunker, Spaandam. (Jonathan Andrew/Caters News Agency) Even after 70 years Germany’s bunkers from World War II stand strong in several wartime territories. British photographer Jonathan Andrew set out to find the defense shelters and capture history in his eerie photo series. Andrew began his quest in the winter of 2009 and traveled to Netherlands, France and Belgium. When he spotted the defense bunkers he was enthralled and wanted to take a closer look with a photo...

Ranches and Cowboys The 'Cowboy for a Day' experience from Blue Sky Ranch in Utah teaches guests horseback riding, cattle herding and roping skills. (Blue Sky Ranch) China may have the Great Wall and France is famous for the Eiffel Tower, but there are hundreds of things that make America unique in the world. No matter what season of the year it is, there are always plenty of events and iconic American sites to visit. We take a virtual road...

Hawaii is far from being off the beaten path in terms of tourist traffic, despite being the most remote island chain with a significant population in the world. Many of the main Hawaiian islands, including Maui, Oahu and Hawaii, are filled with luxury resorts, shopping centers and numerous tourist activity spots. But Molokai, one of the bigger islands in the chain, might just be the hidden gem of Hawaii. With no stoplights, no resorts and no buildings taller than a...

Known as the "Land of Fire and Ice" because of its abundant glaciers and violently active volcanoes, Iceland has made its mark on the map as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts from all corners of the globe. In just a little more than 10 years, between 2000 and 2012, the number of international tourists to visit the country more than doubled, said a study by the Icelandic Tourist Board. The population is just over 300,000, meaning number of locals was...

Taiwan is home to eight national parks, all established after 1972, and one of the country's most popular is Taroko National Park. Named for the Truku aboriginal tribe that once lived in the region and were renowned for their weaving and hunting skills, today their hunting paths have been transformed into the dozens of trails that snake through the rocky terrain. At the heart of the park is the Taroko Gorge, a mammoth rock formation made of limestone and marble,...

Sydney Opera House lights up as part of Vivid Live at Sydney Opera House on May 23, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. Vivid Sydney is an annual event celebrating the themes of music, light and ideas throughout the city. (Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images) Vivid Sydney is part music festival, part celebration of art and part extravagant display of technology. Combined, the effect is more harmonious than might be expected and offers something everyone who can travel to Australia's shores in late May...

Tucked away in the Canar Province of Ecuador is an archaeological wonder, the largest known Inca ruins in Ecuador. Named Ingapirca ("Inca Wall"), the city was built in the 15th century when the Inca people merged their community with the native Canari who already inhabited the area. According to Moon Travel Guides, there's little left of the area except for the foundations of old buildings, since the invading Spanish razed the town. That said, the area is still rich in...

Stretching through the canopy of evergreen trees, high above the ground, the Capilano Suspension Bridge takes intrepid walkers to a world far above the one they normally inhabit. The bridge is located near Vancouver in the Canadian region of British Columbia. Originally built in 1889 by a Scottish civil engineer, the bridge was made from hemp ropes and cedar planks. Today the bridge has been updated and the surrounding area includes a full park, complete with seven suspension bridges in...