VERY BEAUTIFUL
AND VERY DANGEROUS PLACES ON THE PLANET
Danakil desert (Ethiopia) is beautiful and incredibly toxic
The atmosphere is full of toxic fumes, and the air temperature reaches +50 ° C.
http://thebest1.xyz/very-beautiful-and-very-dangerous-places-on-the-planet/11/
AND VERY DANGEROUS PLACES ON THE PLANET
Danakil desert (Ethiopia) is beautiful and incredibly toxic
The atmosphere is full of toxic fumes, and the air temperature reaches +50 ° C.
http://thebest1.xyz/very-beautiful-and-very-dangerous-places-on-the-planet/11/
The Danakil Desert is a desert in northeast Ethiopia, southern Eritrea, and northwestern Djibouti. Situated in the Afar Triangle, it stretches across 100,000 square kilometres (10,000,000 ha) of arid terrain.
The area is known for its volcanoes and extreme heat, with daytime temperatures surpassing 50 °C (122 °F). Less than an inch of rainfall occurs each year. The Danakil Desert is one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth. It is inhabited by a few Afar, who engage in salt mining.
Local geology is characterized by volcanic and tectonic activity, various climate cycles, and discontinuous erosion. The basic geological structure of this area was caused by the movement of tectonic plates as Africa moved away from Asia.
Mountain chains formed and were eroded again during the Paleozoic. Inundations by the sea caused the formation of layers of sandstone, and limestone was deposited further offshore. As the land rose again, further sandstone formed above the limestone. Further tectonic shifts caused lava to pour out of cracks and cover the sedimentary deposits.
The Danakil Desert has a number of lakes formed by lava flows that dammed up several valleys. Among these is Lake Afrera, which has thick saline crusts on its banks. The area is flanked toward the east by the Danakil Alps, a tabular mountain system that has a few volcanic cones which peak in height in Mount Ramlo (2,130 metres (7,000 ft)).
A deposit of salt up to 800 metres (2,600 ft) thick can also be found in the Salt Plain flatlands. Other local lakes include Lake Asale (116 metres (381 ft) below sea level) and Lake Giuletti/Afrera (80 metres (260 ft) below sea level), both of which possess cryptodepressions in the Danakil Depression. The Afrera contains many active volcanoes, including the Maraho, Dabbahu, Afdera and Erta Ale.8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
The area is known for its volcanoes and extreme heat, with daytime temperatures surpassing 50 °C (122 °F). Less than an inch of rainfall occurs each year. The Danakil Desert is one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth. It is inhabited by a few Afar, who engage in salt mining.
Local geology is characterized by volcanic and tectonic activity, various climate cycles, and discontinuous erosion. The basic geological structure of this area was caused by the movement of tectonic plates as Africa moved away from Asia.
Mountain chains formed and were eroded again during the Paleozoic. Inundations by the sea caused the formation of layers of sandstone, and limestone was deposited further offshore. As the land rose again, further sandstone formed above the limestone. Further tectonic shifts caused lava to pour out of cracks and cover the sedimentary deposits.
The Danakil Desert has a number of lakes formed by lava flows that dammed up several valleys. Among these is Lake Afrera, which has thick saline crusts on its banks. The area is flanked toward the east by the Danakil Alps, a tabular mountain system that has a few volcanic cones which peak in height in Mount Ramlo (2,130 metres (7,000 ft)).
A deposit of salt up to 800 metres (2,600 ft) thick can also be found in the Salt Plain flatlands. Other local lakes include Lake Asale (116 metres (381 ft) below sea level) and Lake Giuletti/Afrera (80 metres (260 ft) below sea level), both of which possess cryptodepressions in the Danakil Depression. The Afrera contains many active volcanoes, including the Maraho, Dabbahu, Afdera and Erta Ale.8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Lonely Planet and Afar Media selected the very best places to
travel in 2016.
(Lonely Planet released its book Best In Travel 2016 and Afar magazine released its
“Where To Go In 2016” issue, also available online.)
Some of these places are celebrating big anniversaries, some are in the midst of a resurgence, and some have landmarks that are nearing extinction — but all of them have something special going on right now. Here are the top 25 places you must travel in 2016.
1. Botswana
Because this year, Botswana celebrates its 50th year of independence, which is huge. But also, Botswana is just beautiful, a country made primarily of desert and delta, with 17% of its lands devoted to its national parks.
Bonus: Lately, “car park pimping” is on the rise. It’s basically when the clubbers of the capital city Gaborone move the late-night party to suburban car parks, where they set up pop-up DJ tents and rage into the wee hours of the morning.
2. Japan
For starters, the government is trying to devalue the Japanese yen, which means that the country is more affordable than ever right now. Also, the 2020 Summer Olympics are being held in Tokyo and, even though that seems far away, the city is already gearing up for all Olympics everything.
Bonus: Japan is just a wild, wild place. Any country where you can literally buy everything from umbrellas to women’s underwear in vending machines (true story) deserves to be explored in this lifetime. Now’s your moment.
3. Any of the national parks, USA
Ours is always a land of treasures, but this year is extra special because it’s the 100th anniversary of America’s National Park Service (NPS). So hit up any of the national parks to take in the beauty, the purple mountains majesty, of the good ol’ U.S. of A.
4. Palau
Mostly because the country is killing it in the conservation department — which makes it insanely beautiful. “It has as much to fear from rising sea levels and environmental degradation as any other Pacific nation, but it’s tackling those fears head-on, and is leading conservation efforts in the region,” according to Lonely Planet.
That makes its snorkeling and diving some of the best in the world; some people even call it an “underwater Serengeti.”
5. Latvia
The country is celebrating its 25th year of independence from the Soviet Union this year, and with it, its increasingly on-the-up-and-up culture. “A fleet of (new) Nordic chefs are catapulting local flavors to such artisanal heights that they would truly give Copenhagen a run for its money,” writes Lonely Planet.
6. Australia
Australia is a perennial favorite that makes nearly every bucket list, ever. But this year just may be the year to really buckle down and book that ticket, because many of its key wildlife areas are under potential distress — so it’s a good idea to see them before it’s potentially too late.
Large parts of the Great Barrier Reef, for instance, may be torn up by a string of proposed mining ports. And some of Tasmania’s forests may be torn up for export. Go now to catch their full beauty while you can!
7. Poland
Because this year may be the year the country shines the most. Wildlife tourism is on the rise, Wroclaw is named as a European Capital of Culture (part of which includes an artist-in-residence program to promote artists without borders), and more budget airlines than ever are flying to the country.
If you’re planning to go, you may want to book your trip around Krakow’s Pierogi Festival in mid-August, Warsaw’s International Film Festival in October, or, you know, whenever. Because there’s always vodka.
8. Uruguay
Well of course there’s the fact that weed is legal there. But aside from that, it’s an extremely peaceful place — it’s nicknamed the “Switzerland of America” — and tourism is on the rise (3 million visitors are expected in 2016).
The country has a very bohemian vibe; it’s filled with small surfing villages, empty beaches, and cute beach shacks. And it even has its fair share of cattle ranches and cowboys!
9. Greenland
The Northern Lights, of course. But perhaps even more than that, it’s a great place to disconnect. Greenland has the world’s lowest population density — it’s about 80% ice-covered — and the cell phone service is so spotty, many people actually use satellite phones.
Also, the food is legit local. The island hardly has transportation, meaning chefs are forced to make do with what they have (like, kelp salad with reindeer bacon).
10. Fiji
The country has gone through tumultuous times in the past decade, but it’s now back to its original peaceful self, says Lonely Planet.
That peacefulness includes crystal-clear waters to swim in, welcoming singers who serenade you 24/7, and local Fijian music (a mix of hip-hop, reggae, and pop) to keep up your good spirits.
11. The American Southwest
As mentioned above, the National Park Service is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and the American Southwest in particular is a great place to toast to the occasion. After all, it’s home to Arches, Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, and Capitol Reef National Parks — and most of those parks roll out special programming to celebrate the big event!
12. Nepal
The country’s tourism industry took a huge hit following the devastating earthquake in April. But the tour operator company Intrepid Travel partnered with the Nepalese government and a team of experts to analyze the damage, and concluded that it’s actually safe and secure to go there now.
13. Tasmania
Newness is on the rise in Tasmania. In 2016, there will be new cruise lines, new hotels, and new hiking trails, such as the new Three Capes Track, a 28-mile hike that takes four days to hike. In sum, Tasmania is in the spotlight this year!
14. Cuba
Now that the American travel restrictions to Cuba have been lifted, the country has seen a big increase in tourism — and that’s likely to only get bigger, so it’s better to go now before it gets played out. “A new weekend tour from Insight Cuba will also roll out in January, making it even easier for Americans to get a taste of the island without taking too many vacation days,” says Afar.
15. Portugal
“Portugal is heating up as a cultural hub,” says Afar. For starters, foodies are loving its capital city, Lisbon, which has tons of amazing eats. Also, Porto has a major art scene going on, and the 200-mile beach between Porto and Lisbon is becoming increasingly popular.
But aside from those two cities, Afar says that both locals and visitors are truly loving Portugal’s cute, smaller villages, which are just begging to be explored.
16. Granada, Nicaragua
“Granada is quickly becoming the Portland of Nicaragua,” according to Afar. That’s because coffee tourism is growing by the minute, with new cafés popping up throughout the area. What’s more, it’s in a great location. Travelers who want to ditch the city vibe for a minute can take advantage of easy outdoorsy half-day trips, like Las Islets in Lake Nicaragua or the Mombacho Volcano.
17. Mongolia
In the past, going to Mongolia meant really throwing yourself off the beaten path. Like, really. But these days, it’s a destination on the rise. Expert trip companies like Nomadic Expeditions have trips there now, the wildnerness lodges have gotten an upgrade, and a Shangri-La even opened in the capital.
18. East Africa
Always wanted to go on a safari? Make this year your year. There are lots of places to choose from, not least Tanzania and Zimbabwe. “In Tanzania, a new fleet of tented safari camps means you can get closer to nature than ever before — without sacrificing luxury.”
“And with a new airport, a stable political climate, and new resorts, Zimbabwe has emerged as a safari destination to be reckoned with,” says Afar.
19. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Go for the party, right? Not always. Cabo is actually in the midst of shedding its party reputation and reinventing itself as a luxury destination. Of course, there are still affordable spots, too — but if you want to totally go all in and pamper yourself fully, this could be your place.
20. Ireland
Of course Ireland is always beautiful. You know this. But this year could be different, because the country has recently launched a bunch of new travel services that allow you to see it by land, sea, and air.
21. Guadalajara, Mexico
Guadalajara is “blossoming,” says Afar. In the past year, lots of new boutique hotels have opened, largely due to the city’s big art scene. The city is landlocked, but it’s still great for a winter getaway because it’s loaded with culture. If you go, try to visit in March for the International Film Festival.
22. Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia pops up on quite a few bucket lists, and understandably so: It’s affordable once you get there, and filled with tons of culture in every corner. But what’s new this year is a whole bunch of new cruises on the Mekong River. River cruises are a great way to access small towns and villages that were harder to get to previously.
23. Iran
Bookings to Iran are on the rise, according to Afar, and it may be time for you to join the club. Check out the capital, Tehran, the ancient literary city, Shiraz, and more. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
24. New Orleans, Louisiana
Because new neighborhoods are booming! The city’s Bywater neighborhood, which is a short ride from the French Quarter on a new streetcar line, is definitely on the rise. Here’s what to do and where to go when you get there.
And of course, the other parts of the city are as fun and spirited as ever — and ready to be enjoyed.
25. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Well, as Afar says, “We’re calling it.” Also, the Olympics are there this summer — so Rio is in full-on festive mode. Afar’s writer did Rio in just three days, too — which sounds crazy, but was awesome.
So there you have it: your 2016 to-do list. Start planning!
For more information, Lonely Planet’s free New in Travel 2016 ebook is available here starting Jan. 8.
travel in 2016.
(Lonely Planet released its book Best In Travel 2016 and Afar magazine released its
“Where To Go In 2016” issue, also available online.)
Some of these places are celebrating big anniversaries, some are in the midst of a resurgence, and some have landmarks that are nearing extinction — but all of them have something special going on right now. Here are the top 25 places you must travel in 2016.
1. Botswana
Because this year, Botswana celebrates its 50th year of independence, which is huge. But also, Botswana is just beautiful, a country made primarily of desert and delta, with 17% of its lands devoted to its national parks.
Bonus: Lately, “car park pimping” is on the rise. It’s basically when the clubbers of the capital city Gaborone move the late-night party to suburban car parks, where they set up pop-up DJ tents and rage into the wee hours of the morning.
2. Japan
For starters, the government is trying to devalue the Japanese yen, which means that the country is more affordable than ever right now. Also, the 2020 Summer Olympics are being held in Tokyo and, even though that seems far away, the city is already gearing up for all Olympics everything.
Bonus: Japan is just a wild, wild place. Any country where you can literally buy everything from umbrellas to women’s underwear in vending machines (true story) deserves to be explored in this lifetime. Now’s your moment.
3. Any of the national parks, USA
Ours is always a land of treasures, but this year is extra special because it’s the 100th anniversary of America’s National Park Service (NPS). So hit up any of the national parks to take in the beauty, the purple mountains majesty, of the good ol’ U.S. of A.
4. Palau
Mostly because the country is killing it in the conservation department — which makes it insanely beautiful. “It has as much to fear from rising sea levels and environmental degradation as any other Pacific nation, but it’s tackling those fears head-on, and is leading conservation efforts in the region,” according to Lonely Planet.
That makes its snorkeling and diving some of the best in the world; some people even call it an “underwater Serengeti.”
5. Latvia
The country is celebrating its 25th year of independence from the Soviet Union this year, and with it, its increasingly on-the-up-and-up culture. “A fleet of (new) Nordic chefs are catapulting local flavors to such artisanal heights that they would truly give Copenhagen a run for its money,” writes Lonely Planet.
6. Australia
Australia is a perennial favorite that makes nearly every bucket list, ever. But this year just may be the year to really buckle down and book that ticket, because many of its key wildlife areas are under potential distress — so it’s a good idea to see them before it’s potentially too late.
Large parts of the Great Barrier Reef, for instance, may be torn up by a string of proposed mining ports. And some of Tasmania’s forests may be torn up for export. Go now to catch their full beauty while you can!
7. Poland
Because this year may be the year the country shines the most. Wildlife tourism is on the rise, Wroclaw is named as a European Capital of Culture (part of which includes an artist-in-residence program to promote artists without borders), and more budget airlines than ever are flying to the country.
If you’re planning to go, you may want to book your trip around Krakow’s Pierogi Festival in mid-August, Warsaw’s International Film Festival in October, or, you know, whenever. Because there’s always vodka.
8. Uruguay
Well of course there’s the fact that weed is legal there. But aside from that, it’s an extremely peaceful place — it’s nicknamed the “Switzerland of America” — and tourism is on the rise (3 million visitors are expected in 2016).
The country has a very bohemian vibe; it’s filled with small surfing villages, empty beaches, and cute beach shacks. And it even has its fair share of cattle ranches and cowboys!
9. Greenland
The Northern Lights, of course. But perhaps even more than that, it’s a great place to disconnect. Greenland has the world’s lowest population density — it’s about 80% ice-covered — and the cell phone service is so spotty, many people actually use satellite phones.
Also, the food is legit local. The island hardly has transportation, meaning chefs are forced to make do with what they have (like, kelp salad with reindeer bacon).
10. Fiji
The country has gone through tumultuous times in the past decade, but it’s now back to its original peaceful self, says Lonely Planet.
That peacefulness includes crystal-clear waters to swim in, welcoming singers who serenade you 24/7, and local Fijian music (a mix of hip-hop, reggae, and pop) to keep up your good spirits.
11. The American Southwest
As mentioned above, the National Park Service is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and the American Southwest in particular is a great place to toast to the occasion. After all, it’s home to Arches, Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, and Capitol Reef National Parks — and most of those parks roll out special programming to celebrate the big event!
12. Nepal
The country’s tourism industry took a huge hit following the devastating earthquake in April. But the tour operator company Intrepid Travel partnered with the Nepalese government and a team of experts to analyze the damage, and concluded that it’s actually safe and secure to go there now.
13. Tasmania
Newness is on the rise in Tasmania. In 2016, there will be new cruise lines, new hotels, and new hiking trails, such as the new Three Capes Track, a 28-mile hike that takes four days to hike. In sum, Tasmania is in the spotlight this year!
14. Cuba
Now that the American travel restrictions to Cuba have been lifted, the country has seen a big increase in tourism — and that’s likely to only get bigger, so it’s better to go now before it gets played out. “A new weekend tour from Insight Cuba will also roll out in January, making it even easier for Americans to get a taste of the island without taking too many vacation days,” says Afar.
15. Portugal
“Portugal is heating up as a cultural hub,” says Afar. For starters, foodies are loving its capital city, Lisbon, which has tons of amazing eats. Also, Porto has a major art scene going on, and the 200-mile beach between Porto and Lisbon is becoming increasingly popular.
But aside from those two cities, Afar says that both locals and visitors are truly loving Portugal’s cute, smaller villages, which are just begging to be explored.
16. Granada, Nicaragua
“Granada is quickly becoming the Portland of Nicaragua,” according to Afar. That’s because coffee tourism is growing by the minute, with new cafés popping up throughout the area. What’s more, it’s in a great location. Travelers who want to ditch the city vibe for a minute can take advantage of easy outdoorsy half-day trips, like Las Islets in Lake Nicaragua or the Mombacho Volcano.
17. Mongolia
In the past, going to Mongolia meant really throwing yourself off the beaten path. Like, really. But these days, it’s a destination on the rise. Expert trip companies like Nomadic Expeditions have trips there now, the wildnerness lodges have gotten an upgrade, and a Shangri-La even opened in the capital.
18. East Africa
Always wanted to go on a safari? Make this year your year. There are lots of places to choose from, not least Tanzania and Zimbabwe. “In Tanzania, a new fleet of tented safari camps means you can get closer to nature than ever before — without sacrificing luxury.”
“And with a new airport, a stable political climate, and new resorts, Zimbabwe has emerged as a safari destination to be reckoned with,” says Afar.
19. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Go for the party, right? Not always. Cabo is actually in the midst of shedding its party reputation and reinventing itself as a luxury destination. Of course, there are still affordable spots, too — but if you want to totally go all in and pamper yourself fully, this could be your place.
20. Ireland
Of course Ireland is always beautiful. You know this. But this year could be different, because the country has recently launched a bunch of new travel services that allow you to see it by land, sea, and air.
21. Guadalajara, Mexico
Guadalajara is “blossoming,” says Afar. In the past year, lots of new boutique hotels have opened, largely due to the city’s big art scene. The city is landlocked, but it’s still great for a winter getaway because it’s loaded with culture. If you go, try to visit in March for the International Film Festival.
22. Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia pops up on quite a few bucket lists, and understandably so: It’s affordable once you get there, and filled with tons of culture in every corner. But what’s new this year is a whole bunch of new cruises on the Mekong River. River cruises are a great way to access small towns and villages that were harder to get to previously.
23. Iran
Bookings to Iran are on the rise, according to Afar, and it may be time for you to join the club. Check out the capital, Tehran, the ancient literary city, Shiraz, and more. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
24. New Orleans, Louisiana
Because new neighborhoods are booming! The city’s Bywater neighborhood, which is a short ride from the French Quarter on a new streetcar line, is definitely on the rise. Here’s what to do and where to go when you get there.
And of course, the other parts of the city are as fun and spirited as ever — and ready to be enjoyed.
25. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Well, as Afar says, “We’re calling it.” Also, the Olympics are there this summer — so Rio is in full-on festive mode. Afar’s writer did Rio in just three days, too — which sounds crazy, but was awesome.
So there you have it: your 2016 to-do list. Start planning!
For more information, Lonely Planet’s free New in Travel 2016 ebook is available here starting Jan. 8.