America is simply large, it blessed with an abundance of natural attractions. At 3.8 million sq. miles, it’s the home to spectacular deserts, mountain ranges, ancient forests, volcanic features, waterfalls, glaciers, canyons, caves, and swamps. However that reality doesn’t diminish the awesomeness of those places. But what are the most beautiful of all these natural attractions? Here, we’ve compiled a top 10 list (according to CNN) of nature’s record setting attractions in U.S., decide the most beautiful amongst these.
10. Missouri River – Longest river in the U.S.
At more than 2,341 miles, Missouri River is the longest river in North America, beginning in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, winding generally south and east before joining the mighty Mississippi River (about 2,300 miles) near St. Louis, Missouri. After combined with the great Mississippi River, it forms the world’s fourth longest river system.
9. Hells Canyon – Deepest canyon in North America
The Grand Canyon in Arizona may be immense, boasting nearly 277 river miles in length, but for sheer depth, Hells Canyon in eastern Oregon, eastern Washington and western Idaho wins hands-down.
The deepest canyon in North America, at its deepest, it plunges 8,043 feet from the tip of He Devil Peak to the Snake River, which flows more than 1.6 km below the canyon’s west rim on the Oregon side and 2,300 m below the peaks of Idaho’s Seven Devils Mountains range to the east.
8. Northwest Angle – Northernmost point in the continental U.S.
The Northwest Angle Inlet in Minnesota, near the Ontario border, is a part of northern Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota. Known simply as ‘Angle Township’, by locals, and at 49.22 north latitude, it is the northernmost point in the contiguous United States (the only place in the United States outside Alaska).
7. Yuma, Arizona – The sunniest place in the world
Yuma, Arizona, is noted for its weather “extremes”. According to the National Climatic Data Center, It is the driest, sunniest city and the least humid place in the United States. It also holds the Guinness World Record for sunniest city on Earth.
The city has the lowest frequency of rain and snow, and has the most number of days, 175, per year. It experiences an average of 4015 hours of sunshine per year, and 11.0 hours of sunshine per day.
6. Rainbow Bridge – Tallest natural bridge in the U.S.
The amazing natural structure at Rainbow Bridge National Monument in southern Utah is often described as the world’s highest natural bridge. The bridge is estimated to be more than 200 million years old. It is 290 feet tall, at the top it is 42 feet thick and 33 feet wide.
Rainbow Bridge was known for centuries by the Native Americans who have long held the bridge sacred.
5. Mount McKinley – Highest mountain in North America
Mount McKinley is the highest mountain peak in North America, with 20,237 feet above sea level. The Mount Mckinley is considered the largest of any mountain situated entirely above sea level, with some 18,000 feet base to peak rise.
Located in the interior of US state of Alaska, McKinley is the third most prominent peak after Mount Everest and Aconcagua. It is the centerpiece of Denali National Park and Preserve.
4. Mauna Kea – World’s tallest mountain
Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano on the island of Hawaii. About one million years old, Mauna Kea is the highest point in the U.S. state of Hawaii, standing 13,803 ft above sea level. However, much of Mauna Kea is below sea level, when measured from the ocean floor, its height is 33,100 ft, more than twice Mount Everest.
3. Death Valley – Lowest and hottest spot in the U.S.
Death Valley is a desert valley located in Eastern California. Situated within the Mojave Desert, it is the lowest (282 feet below sea level) and driest area in North America. Death Valley is currently the hottest place in the world. with a scorching record high of 134° F (57°C) on July 10, 1913. Death Valley may sound like a depressing destination to visit, but it boasts some of the most adaptable plant and animal life on the planet.
2. General Sherman – Largest living tree in the world
The second on record setting attractions in U.S. is ‘General Sherman’, world’s largest living tree. The General Sherman is not only the largest giant sequoia, but it is also the world’s biggest living tree.
By volume, it is the largest known living single stem tree on earth. The tree was named after American Civil War general, William Tecumseh Sherman, is located in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park in Tulare County, in the U.S. state of California.
1. Crater Lake – The Deepest lake in the U.S.
Deepest lake in the U.S. The Crater Lake is one of the record setting attractions. Located in south-central Oregon, in the western United States, Crater Lake is famous for its deep blue color and water clarity.
The dazzling body of water is nearly 2,148-feet (655 m) deep. The lake formed by the collapse of the volcano Mount Mazama more than 7,700 years ago. The Lake is also known for the “Old Man of the Lake”, a full-sized tree which is now a stump that has been bobbing vertically in the lake for over a century.