THIS MAGICAL LAND OF US

Discover Ten Breathtakingly Beautiful Natural Treasures!

Credit: Muneeb Usmani

The United States has truly earned its "America the Beautiful" nickname: We are lucky to live in a nation filled with such an amazing landscape. America contains many different weathers and terrains, and each state is home to stunningly beautiful natural jewels.

We have (metaphorically) traveled throughout the United States, coast to coast and north to south , to select our ten favorite natural treasures. Who knows? You might end up discovering your next holiday destination. Enjoy!

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We’ll start this list with an outstanding icon, synonymous with everything that makes the United States great. The Grand Canyon is more than just a landmark, it's an American giant that has inspired generations throughout the history of this country. It is also world-famous, a truly iconic sightseeing destination, featured in everything from postcards to Arizona driving licenses.

The Grand Canyon has an outstanding depth of over a mile, which can be seen from strategically placed viewing points. Bald eagles and other birds can also be seen in this area, flying above and throughout the red rocky walls of the Canyon.

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Niagara Falls is a true spectacle. This group of waterfalls inspires millions of tourists every year both by their inconceivable beauty and by their power, since over 5.9 million cubic feet of water go over their crest every minute.

The Falls are formed by the Niagara River, and they are located on the border between the U.S. state of New York and the Canadian province of Ontario. Its water’s sparkling green color has made it one of America’s most recognizable landmarks.

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Extending over four counties in the heart of California, Yosemite National Park is home to immense granite cliffs, ancient giant sequoia trees, and incredibly diverse wildlife. It was President Lincoln himself who signed an act that declared Yosemite as federally preserved land in 1864 and, over a hundred years later in 1984, this iconic park was declared a World Heritage Site.

Yosemite features truly breathtaking rock formations , but perhaps the most unique among them are the rock domes such as Sentinel Dome and Half Dome. This park is also known for its majestic glaciers, the largest of them being Lyell Glacier.

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I f you’ve ever driven behind a car with a license plate from Utah, you might notice that they are decorated with one of this state’s most treasured landmarks : t he iconic sandstone arches located in Arches National Park. These instantly recognizable formations are deeply ingrained in the identity of "the Beehive State," but their beauty and magnificence are an inspiring sight to every American who visits them.

This national park is home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, but perhaps the most iconic one is the Delicate Arch . In 2002, during the opening ceremony of the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics, the Olympic torch relay went through this 52-foot-tall arch.

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It is almost impossible to walk around any of the four parks that compose the Redwood National and State Parks and not feel extremely tiny: The mighty redwoods protected by this complex are the tallest trees in the world. Not only that, they are also among the oldest trees, so it's no wonder that their sight not only inspires curiosity but also the utmost respect.

Perhaps most notable among these already remarkable trees, a redwood tree named Hyperion stands at an impressive 380-foot height. Hyperion is the tallest tree in the world , and his runner-up for the title, a 377-foot tree called Helios, is also located in Redwood National Park.

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Mammoth Cave can be an intimidating sight. After all, the world’s longest-known cave system is a massive network of dark and tall limestone caves. However, similar to how little time it takes for the human eye to adjust to the dark, it only takes a few moments to realize the inherent beauty that this Kentucky landmark has to offer.

Guided tours take visitors through some of the most gorgeous sights in the cave, such as the "Frozen Niagara" (a rock formation that resembles a waterfall) or the "Grand Avenue" (a flat and narrow area flowing between rocks). Mammoth Cave is home to a diverse ecosystem, which includes the Spotted-tail salamander or the Cave Crayfish.

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The tallest mountain in North America is also one of its most beautiful ones. Located in Alaska, this mountain was first named "Mount McKinley" in 1896, after U.S. President William McKinley. However, in 2015, the U.S. Department of Interior decided to rename it into the name chosen by the native Koyukon people who inhabit the area.

Denali’s magnificence has dared many climbers throughout the ages to attempt to climb it, with the first verifiable attempt happening in 1913. In 1951, the safer and more accessible West Buttress route was discovered, which is still considered the best option by mountain climbers.

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Louisiana is known as "the Bayou State" for its many gorgeous and picturesque bayous, so choosing one for this article is definitively a difficult task. We have decided to lean towards the longest bayou in the world, so massive that it extends into the neighboring state of Arkansas. We are talking, of course, about the iconic Bayou Bartholomew.

Measuring approximately 364 miles, Bayou Bartholomew is home to diverse wildlife, including over 100 different aquatic species . Thousands of anglers visit the bayou to catch gorgeous specimens of crawfish, bream, and catfish.

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Some people compare the five boroughs in New York City to the five fingers on a hand. Perhaps this idea came from the Finger Lakes, a treasured natural landmark beloved by everyone in New York. This group of lakes was named after their narrow and long shape, but no one could mistake them with a human hand, since eleven different lakes compose this wonderful area.

One of the most beautiful things about the Finger Lakes is that, while similar, they all have their own characteristics and attributes that make them unique. Conesus Lake is a great place for fishing walleye and yellow perch, while Hemlock Lake is known for its landlocked salmon. Cayuga Lake is home to a folklore sea serpent known as "Old Greeny," regularly spotted throughout the years.

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Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872 and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant in that same year. Fitting for our nation’s first park, Yellowstone is home to a huge variety of natural treasures , including geysers, canyons, and a dormant supervolcano. It is also home to many different species of animals, including grizzly bears and the oldest and largest free-ranging herd of bison in the country.

It is rather difficult to select a must-see sight in Yellowstone. Perhaps its most famous landmark is the "Old Faithful" geyser , which erupts up to 185 feet in the air in an almost scheduled pattern. However, another heavy contender would be the iconic Grand Prismatic Spring, the third-largest in the world and filled with bright and vivid colors.

BEHIND EVERY GREAT BRAND THERE’S A GREAT NAME

Take a Look at the Stories Behind 12 Big Brand Names

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The genesis of iconic brand names often involves a mixture of creativity, inspiration, and strategic vision. Incredibly successful companies like Apple, Coca-Cola, Nike, and Google have names that today are synonymous with their products but that was not the case when those names were chosen.

Unraveling the stories behind these brand names shows the intention, symbolism, and market positioning, showcasing the strategic acumen that underpins their enduring legacies.

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The birth of the name "Apple" for the iconic tech company traces back to the fertile grounds of Steve Jobs' creativity. Co-founder Steve Jobs, known for his penchant for simplicity and innovation, chose the name as a departure from the prevailing trends in the tech industry dominated by complex and intimidating names.

Jobs envisioned a brand that would resonate with consumers on a personal level, evoking warmth, simplicity, and approachability. The choice also carried a personal touch, as Jobs had spent some time working on an apple orchard during his youth.

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While the name "Starbucks" now conjures images of coffee culture, community, and global ubiquity, its origin is rooted in nautical history rather than caffeinated pursuits. Founded in Seattle in 1971 by three partners inspired by Moby-Dick, the name pays homage to the first mate on the ship Pequod, Starbuck.

This literary allusion captures the seafaring spirit of the brand's Pacific Northwest origins. The founders sought a name that conveyed the rich, seafaring tradition of coffee trading, and Starbucks resonated as an evocative and memorable choice. The maritime theme extends to the iconic logo, featuring a twin-tailed mermaid.

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The name "Facebook" is now synonymous with social networking, but its origins can be traced back to a more unconventional source: college dormitories. Founded by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004, the name describes the platform's initial purpose: connecting students within a university's social circles.

The term "Facebook" itself refers to the printed directories universities distributed to students, containing photos and basic information about their peers. Zuckerberg's digital adaptation transformed this concept into a virtual space where people could share their lives, making the name a metaphorical extension of a real-world social directory.

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The name "Coca-Cola" is a perfect testament to the brand's rich history and the fusion of its original ingredients. Conceived by Dr. John Stith Pemberton in the late 19th century, the beverage was initially marketed as a patent medicine, containing coca leaves and kola nuts.

The name "Coca" is a direct reference to the coca leaves, while "Cola" is derived from the kola nuts. The combination of these two elements not only gave the drink its distinctive flavor but also created a name that resonated with consumers.

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The name "Nike" comes from ancient Greek mythology. Co-founder Phil Knight, a track and field athlete, and his business partner Jeff Johnson drew from the winged goddess of victory, Nike.

In Greek mythology, Nike symbolizes strength, speed, and triumph, aligning seamlessly with the ethos of the athletic brand. The swoosh logo, designed by Carolyn Davidson in 1971, further embodies the brand's spirit, representing movement and speed.

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The name "Adobe" is synonymous with digital creativity and design. It finds its origins in the co-founders' love for the Adobe Creek that ran behind the house of John Warnock, one of the company's founders.

In the context of the software giant, the name signifies the seamless flow of ideas and innovation in the realm of digital creativity. It captures the essence of the company's commitment to providing tools that empower individuals and organizations to create, express, and transform ideas.

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Founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA is an acronym that combines the founder's initials (I.K.) with those of Elmtaryd, the farm where he grew up, and Agunnaryd, his hometown.

The Swedish origin of the name adds a touch of Scandinavian flair, enhancing the brand's image as a global purveyor of well-designed, ready-to-assemble furniture.

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The name "Cisco" itself is derived from the term "San Francisco," the city where the company originated. Its logo resembles the Golden Gate Bridge. Beyond its geographical symbolism, the name reflects Cisco's core mission: to act as a bridge, connecting people and information seamlessly.

The choice of a concise name aligns with the brand's commitment to simplifying complex networking solutions. Today, Cisco stands not just as a name but as a symbol of connectivity and innovation.

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"Amazon" draws its inspiration from the world's second-longest river. Founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994, the name symbolizes the ambitious and expansive vision of the e-commerce giant.

The Amazon River, with its immense volume and diverse ecosystem, epitomizes abundance and variety. Bezos envisioned his company in a similar vein, aiming to create an online marketplace that offered an extensive array of products.

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Perhaps one of the most straightforward names on this list, the IBM acronym stands for International Business Machines Corporation. Established in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR), the company evolved through mergers and acquisitions.

The name change to IBM in 1924 signified a strategic shift towards global computing solutions. The choice of the "International" part of the name emphasized the company's global aspirations, while"Machines" reflected its focus on manufacturing tabulating, and calculating machines.

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Few people know that "eBay" was initially named "AuctionWeb." However, as the site expanded beyond auctions to encompass a broader spectrum of online transactions, the name needed a change to reflect its evolving identity.

The founder Pierre Omidyar, inspired by the notion of an "electronic bay" where people could drop their goods and conduct business, coined the new name "eBay" in 1997. This moniker not only captures the digital essence of the platform but also emphasizes the idea of creating a virtual marketplace.

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A brand name as ubiquitous as Google originated as a misspelling of "googol", a mathematical term representing the number 1 followed by 100 zeros. Co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin chose this name in 1997 to convey their mission of organizing the vast amount of information on the internet.

The transformation from "googol" to "Google" not only showcased the company's playfulness but also its commitment to making immense amounts of data accessible and searchable.