Baji Cypress (King Cypress)

Baji Cypress (King Cypress) in Tibet

The largest known giant cypress (Cupressus gigantea W. C. Cheng & L.K. Fu), height roughly 46 – 56 m, diameter 4.46 – 5.8 m, approximately 2,600 years old (not testified). Tree grows in a relict stand of cypresses, many trees here are enormous.

Freetown Cotton Tree

Cotton Tree in Freetown, SIERRA LEONE

Enormous, beautiful cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra) in the center of Freetown. According to legend in 1792 the first returned slaves from the United States gathered under this tree and held a thanksgiving. Girth of tree exceeds 12 m. Site for offering prayers for peace and prosperity.

Mount Nimba

Landscape in Mount Nimba, Guinea

Up to 1,752 m high chain of mountains with a high number of endemic species of plants and animals, such as Nimba otter shrew (Micropotamogale lamottei), Western Nimba toad (Nimbaphrynoides occidentalis) – viviparous toad. The summit of the mountain is covered with grassland but slopes – with tropical forest. Here lives also a group of chimpanzees capable to use stones as tools. Mountain for the most part consists of high-grade iron ore.

Kaani tree in Maroshi

The Kaani tree in Maroshi, Maldives

Enormous and legendary kaani tree (Cordia subcordata), reportedly grown from pole that was driven and used for anchoring the ships of Maldivian freedom fighter Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu in the 16th century.

Vallée de Mai (Vallee de Mai)

Vallée de Mai, Seychelles

Relict of Gondwana, natural palm forest with the endemic coco de mer palm (Lodoicea maldivica) grove and five other endemic palms. Coco de mer grows up to 34 m tall and has the largest seeds in the plant kingdom – up to 42 kg heavy nuts. Many other endemic species of plants and animals, numerous vanilla orchids.

Lake Bosumtwi

Lake Bosumtwi in Ghana with the local wooden boat - padua

The most recent medium-sized impact crater, 10.5 km across, formed 1.07 million years ago. Filled with an 8 km wide lake – the largest natural lake in Ghana. Surrounded by dense rainforest.

Cabo Blanco seal colony

The only colony of monk seals in the world. Here in caves lives a group of extremely rare Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus), here could be living some 200 seals.

Diamond Rock (Le Rocher du Diamant)

Diamond Rock near Martinique

175 m high rock – volcanic plug – rising from the Caribbean. At certain times of the day it reflects in the sea and resembles a diamond. This inhospitable and nearly inaccessible rock could be the last refuge of a reptile – Couress grass snake (Liophis cursor). There is a cavern below the water level – it is adorned with sea fans and corals.

Aripo Main Cave, Trinidad

Biggest cave system on the island, 862 m long. Contains small tufa waterfall. Colonies of oil birds and bats. Six new insect species have been first described in this cave.

Cavannagh Cave

The site where remnants of extinct giant rodent Amblyrhiza inundata were found in the 19th century. This deer-sized animal lived some 125 000 years ago, at lower sea level. It is possible that these remnants were found in other local caves as well.