Hamelin Pool and L’haridon Bight

Hypersaline shallows with unique biotope – active growth of stromatolites – the oldest known form of life on Earth. Also other unique forms of life.

Mount Hallasan nutmeg grove (Bijarim Forest)

The only grove of Torreya nucifera trees – beautiful conifers, mostly old and large trees. Here grow many rare and endemic plants. Here is located also the oldest nutmeg tree, more than 800 years old.

Deserta Grande ecosystem

Small Desertas Islands have numerous unique species. On Deserta Grande lives the largest European tarantula – 4.5 cm long body as well as an enormous carrot and 14 species of endemic snails in unusual colors.

Madeiran laurisilva

Unique, roughly 150 km² large subtropical humid forest, a remnant of once widespread forests. The most impressive subtropical forest in Europe and the largest laurisilva forest in the world. Here live some 600 endemic species of plants and animals. The pristine forest is crossed by old waterways and pathways between villages.

Xochimilco

Unique monument of urban planning inherited from Aztec times. Here has been preserved the network of ancient channels with chinampas – island gardens. Channels are traveled by special boats – trajineras. Channels and islands contain endemic plants and animals including unique salamander – axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum).

Cuatrociénegas Valley (Cuatro Ciénegas Valley)

Unusual part of Chihuahua desert with thousands of geothermal spring pools. Extremely high biodiversity including more than 70 endemic species not found outside this valley. Most unique are stromatolites in spring lakes, endemic plants in gypsum dunes, fishes in lakes.

Lake Alchichica

Unique maar lake with a high level of endemism, especially noted due to rare stromatolites met only in few locations around the world. Endemic salamander and fish. Renowned location of unusual experiences such as UFO sightings, lights in the lake.

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve

Wintering habitats of the monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus). Some trees are covered with a thick layer of millions of butterflies.

Suoi Giang tea forest (Suối Giàng)

Here grow possibly the world’s oldest tea trees that are up to 3,000 years old. In total in this forest grow more than 85,000 old tea trees. This could be one of the oldest tea plantations in the world.

Hoàn Kiếm Lake and turtles

Lake in the historical center of Hanoi. In the lake lives (or lived as it is critically endangered or extinct) unique soft-shell turtles that may belong to separate species Rafetus leloii. The existence of this legendary animal was proved only in 1998.