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But unlike other desert, the sand here is not composed of quartz, but gypsum crystals. And thats precisely how the gypsum dunes at White Sands were formed. As the water evaporated away it left behind a layers of crystallized gypsum. Lake Lucero is today a dry bed but its lowest portion occasionally fills with shallow water after recent rains. It is the largest gypsum dune field in the world. The dunes are constantly changing as they are moved by the steady southwest winds....

As many as800 ropescan be used on a single tree. Photo credit Like manyJapanese craftsmanship, yukitsuri is a combination of function and beauty. With snow falling softly around it creates a particularly beautiful winter scene. Yukitsuri is a common sight in Kanazawa and Kenrokuen Garden during the winter months. The process of attaching yukitsuri ropes begins in early November and takes about one month to complete. The ropes are kept up until early March, when the snow melts....

The most intriguing thing about Puma punku is the stonework. Puma punku was a terraced earthen mound originally faced with megalithic blocks, each weighing several tens of tons. The technical finesse and precision displayed in these stone blocks is astounding. Not even a razor blade can slide between the rocks. Some of these blocks are finished to ‘machine’ quality and the holes drilled to perfection. Something doesnt add up. Many of the joints are so precise that not even a razor blade will fit between the stones....

The stations marble floors are stained with odd patterns, not usually seen in marble slabs. Yet, aside from the occasional casual glance, few passengers have paid any real attention to these markings. Fewer have stopped to gaze at and appreciate these shapes and fewer still have pondered on its mystery. Many would stop dead in their tracks if you are to tell them they are treading on 80-million-year-old fossils. Many still dont know about it....

Patras started turning these stories into brief poems and began carving them onto the oak slabs. He scrawled his first verse on a tomb around 1935. He paints the oak slab blue and decorates it with floral borders and a riot of colors. He then paints an image depicting the person’s life and composes a poem. Pop alone decides what the picture will portray and what the verse will say....

The Georgia Guidestones is one of Americas strangest monument located on the highest hilltop in Elbert County, Georgia. Each slab is 19 feet tall and weighs 20 tons. The four outer stones are oriented to mark the limits of the lunar declination cycle. The center column features a hole through which the North Star can be see. The same pillar has a slot carved through it which is aligned with the Sun’s solstices and equinoxes....

Goats are skilled climbers and are known to scale steep rock faces and mountains in search of food. The goats are drawn to the fruit of the Argan tree, which ripens in June each year. The Argan grows to 8-10 meters high and live up to 150200 years. Photo credit The goats native to this region have cloven feet. The animals also have two vestigial toes higher up their legs, called dewclaws....

This is why this small town is a popular destination for adventure lovers. The rugged and beautiful desert terrain is marked with hundreds of trails for mountain biking and extreme 4x4 driving. Its a challenging and difficult trail, recommended only for very experienced drivers with advanced equipment. One popular obstacle that you will find along the way is The Lion’s Back. The Lion’s Back is a sandstone ridge several hundred feet up....

The park occupies an area of 4 acres and contains 125 miniature reproductions. Joseph Zoettel was born in Bavaria in 1878. Brother Joseph had been in an accident that left him slightly hunched. At first, Zoettel placed his structures in the monastery’s outdoor recreation area. The site was officially named the Ave Maria Grotto in 1934. He built his last model, the Basilica in Lourdes, at the age of 80, in 1958....

Most of these are very small and cause no damage. Yet, the worlds first seismometer was built and installed in Scotland at a place called Comrie. Because of this it is sometimes referred to as the “Shaky Town”. It wasn’t until 1789 that the first systematic recording of data and severity was recorded at Comrie. This was done by the Reverends Taylor and Gilfillan who began recording these tremors. Many houses in Comrie were damaged and a dam near Stirling was breached....

Many centuries ago, bridges served many purposes. Thats because this iconic medieval bridge is always crowded with shoppers. The Ponte Vecchio has been home to shops across its span since the 13th century. Merchants would sell their goods on tables after receiving approval to do so from the proper authorities. This practice was called “bancorotto” and is believed that the economic concept of bankruptcy originated here. The shops belonged to the Commune and were rented out, originally to butchers, fishmongers, and tanners....

Kalta Minor is an iconic symbol of the city of Khiva in Uzbekistan. The minaret was started by Mohammad Amin Khan, the ruler of Khwarezm, in 1852. This is probably just a story because Bukhara is nearly 400 km away. In any case, the minaret was supposed to be very tall. This would have made Kalta Minor the tallest structure in Central Asia, if completed. What was left was a 26 meters tall stump with a massive base of 14....

This area is called Stadtlounge. Stadt means public in German, so Stadtlounge simply means: a public lounge. Today, its the financial district of St. Gallen with modern banks and insurance buildings. The idea was to create a “public living room” amid the mini-skyscrapers of the financial district. The winning design for “Stadtlounge” was proposed by artist Pipilotti Rist and the Carlos Martinez architectural firm. Sources:Mapolis Magazine/Europe for Visitors/The Guardian/Lisa Town