Happy Earth Day! To celebrate today, Wonderopolis is taking a look at some of the places that make the Earth such a fascinating place to live. Grab your passport and prepare for a journey that will take you to some of the most spectacular places around the world!
Have you ever wondered…
- Where is the best place on Earth?
- What is Earth Day?
- How can you have a positive impact on the environment?
Did you know?
Each year on April 22, people all over the world celebrate Earth Day. Earth Day began in 1970 as an effort to promote awareness of air and water pollution.
It was hugely successful and eventually led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species acts.
Since then, Earth Day has grown each year. Today, it is an annual celebration that promotes a wide variety of environmental issues around the globe. The theme of Earth Day 2011 is Billion Acts of Green®.
Organizers hope to motivate people and companies around the world to pledge to perform 1 billion acts that help reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability. Acts can be simple, like washing laundry in cold water or turning off lights when they’re not in use. Small, individual, everyday acts can add up to a huge difference when performed by millions of people around the world.
Protecting the Earth is important. It’s the only home you’ve got… and what a spectacular home it is! From the depths of the Grand Canyon to the peak of Mount Everest, the Earth offers a breathtaking array of natural wonders.
If you’ve ever heard of the Seven Wonders of the World, you’re probably aware that the list includes things like the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The Seven Wonders of the World were actually man-made structures that impressed the ancient Greeks as they traveled the world.
As impressive as these man-made structures were, they can’t hold a candle to the works of Mother Nature. A new global democratic initiative is under way to urge people around the world to vote for their favorite natural wonders in order to assemble a new Seven Wonders of Nature.
The Official New7Wonders of Nature campaign is in its final phase in which the final seven natural wonders will be chosen by an estimated 1 billion votes. The Official Declaration of the New7Wonders of Nature will be on November 11, 2011 (11/11/11).
So what are some of the natural wonders of the world vying for a spot in the top seven? Browse a map of the world to check out the 28 finalists that have been chosen from more than 440 nominations from more than 220 countries around the world. Be sure to cast your vote in this global democratic process!
Here is a small sampling of a few of the natural wonders the Earth has to offer:
You can also check out the animals and flowers and plants you’ll find near the 28 natural wonders. Have fun exploring the natural wonders of the world!
Try it out!
Ready to take a positive step toward improving the environment? On Earth Day, there are plenty of fun things you can do to recognize the importance of conserving natural resources.
If you want to get outdoors, then plant a tree or start a garden. If the weather isn’t cooperating, stay inside and clean up. How many things can you find that can be recycled?
Sit down as a family and discuss simple steps you can all take to reduce energy consumption. For more ideas, check out these 10 Ways to Teach Kids about Earth Day!
Remember: You can do things right where you are — wherever you are — to help the environment. Making the Earth a better place starts at home, wherever home happens to be.
As New7Wonders Founder and President Bernard Weber said, “If we want to save anything, we first need to truly appreciate it.” What do you appreciate about your part of the world? Wonder is all around you. You just have to look for it. What makes where you live WONDERful?
Give it some thought and then try to put your feelings into words. Write a poem or a short story about what is special about where you live? Email or send us a copy. We’d love to learn more about your little corner of the Earth!
Wonderopolis HQ
325 West Main Street, Suite 300
Louisville, KY 40202-4237
Wonder words to know and use:
- passport
- awareness
- pollution
- sustainability
- carbon
- emissions
- breathtaking
- array
- democratic
- initiative
- global
- conserving
- consumption
Still wondering?
Use National Geographic Xpeditions’ Earth Day Every Day lesson to learn how you can improve the local environment and benefit communities beyond your own.
Wonder what’s next?
Hark! What wonder through yonder computer monitor breaks? ‘Tis a Wonder of the Day that would make the Bard of Avon proud!
(5 votes, average: 3.20 out of 5) 
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wrong answer Sri Lanka is the best place
Hello there, Eashvar & Prahathees! Thanks for visiting Wonderopolis! People all over the world have different places they love the most and think are the best, and we’re so happy you shared your favorite place with us today!
Awesome, what is really the best place in Earth? O.O ……..
There are LOTS of best places on Earth, don’t you think, EricaB? Some people think it’s a natural wonder like the Grand Canyon, or a tropical beach with turquoise water and white sand. Some people think it’s their own town or even their own backyard because they get to hang out and have fun with friends and family! What is YOUR favorite place on earth?
Wonderopolis,
I love how you pulled in earth day to this website! But on occasion my favorite spot to be is at Hilton Head Beach. I love to lay in the sand and feel mist is on me.
Ah
We’re glad you liked this Wonder of the Day, Torey/MC! We think the beach is AWESOME, too!
My favorite place on Earth is sitting on top of my grandma’s barn or as I call it a tree house, and watching the clouds.
That sounds like a pretty amazing place to do lots of WONDERing, Kailee! Be careful up there!
I think Paris France is the best place, but everybody has their own place that they think is the best place ever. Some people might like other places than others do but thats just because everyone has thier own opinion.
You’re right, Nicole! That’s what makes the earth an AMAZING planet…it’s full of LOTs of BEST PLACES! Thanks for sharing your comment with us today!
Gulf Shores, Alabama. Best summer vacation EVER!!! OH! And Beach Bend Park in Kentucky!
AWESOME!!!
Those both sound like really amazing places, Catherine!
WOW! That Video was so breathtaking!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the video for this Wonder of the Day®, Brooklynn! Thank you for leaving us such a great comment to let us know!
My favorite place is Disneyland. But, of course, everybody has a favorite place!
Disneyland is a favorite place of many people, Kate4! Thanks so much for visiting another pretty great place—Wonderopolis—and for sharing a little about yourself with us today!
I love Austin, Texas. I like the Dallas Cowboys. You’ve got to love Texas!
There are SO many things to do and see in Texas, Kaylie! Thank you for letting us know your favorite place!
Hello.
Hello, HiHi! Thanks for stopping by Wonderopolis today and leaving us a comment!
I love the movie! Of course, the wonders of mankind were cool, but nothing can top Mother Nature.
I didn’t even know about the falls and the northern lights are soooooooooo pretty! I looked at the 28 finalist wonders at school and the under ground rivers are really pretty. They would be good things to give tours in, though that might screw up the environment. Actually, now that I think about it, that would not be a good place to give tours. Maybe just film it so that all the people that have no idea that it exists can see how beautiful it is. Enough about the rivers, I think that there should be 28 wonders of the world and those 28 wonders should be them. Oh, I just love nature!!!
Thanks so much for visiting this Wonder and for leaving us an AMAZING comment, Grace! We can certainly tell that you are a true fan of the natural world!
Thanks, Wonderopolis!!! Your wonder today helped me with my homework!!! I really want to go to the Dead Sea!!! There’s enough salt in that sea that you can float effortlessly!!! Pretty cool, right??? Well, thanks again!!!
We’re so happy to hear that this Wonder helped you learn some new things today, Brooke! Thanks for continuing to visit Wonderopolis…you’re a GREAT Wonder Friend!
I loved the VIDEO
I always do!!!
Thanks so much for letting us know how much you enjoyed the video for this Wonder of the Day®, lollipop girl!
Hello, I really liked today’s article! My favorite place to go is Schlitterbahn in Texas. I think you should look it up and make a wonder about it! I heard it’s the biggest outdoor water park in North America! Thanks again for the great info. Talk to you soon, bye!
Hi, Shay! Thanks so much for exploring Wonderopolis today and for sharing your idea for a future Wonder of the Day®! We DID look up Schlitterbahn…WOW! All those water rides look like SO MUCH FUN! We’re glad you told us where your favorite place is (and we like all your smiley faces, too!)!
My favorite place on Earth is San Diego. I just like going to the beach and surfing. I also like how they have so much to do for kids, like they have Legoland and Disneyland and a lot of fun parks that everybody should like.
San Diego sounds like a REALLY fun place, Bob! Thank you for sharing your favorite things to do there!
My favorite place is Australia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We think it ROCKS that you shared your favorite place on earth with us today, Liam! We’ve never been to Australia, but we bet it is a GREAT place to WONDER!