杰灵的斯科茨布拉夫国家纪念碑‌, 内布拉斯加州,美国 Scotts Bluff National Monument in Gering, Nebraska (© Hawk Buckman/Getty Images)

彩绘的云，静默的悬崖 Painted clouds, still cliffs

斯科茨布拉夫国家纪念碑, 内布拉斯加州

在GPS问世之前，像斯科茨布卢夫（Scotts Bluff）这样的自然地标就已高耸于大草原之上，为西行的旅人指明方向。在1887年杰林镇（Gering）建镇之前，以及内布拉斯加州于1867年成为美国州份的数十年之前，这些砂岩和泥岩地貌已然引导着成千上万的旅人沿着俄勒冈小径、加利福尼亚小径和摩门教徒小径前行。斯科茨布卢夫国家纪念碑（Scotts Bluff National Monument）以皮毛商人希拉姆·斯科特（Hiram Scott）命名，他曾是落基山皮毛公司（Rocky Mountain Fur Company）的成员，于19世纪20年代在附近地区因神秘原因去世。

如今，这座占地近3000英亩的纪念碑包括两座主要悬崖——北部的斯科茨悬崖和南部的南悬崖。它还保护着五处显著的岩石突起：圆顶岩、鹰岩、皇冠岩、马鞍岩和哨兵岩。在地面上，骡鹿与黑尾草原犬鼠一同觅食，而豺狼在周围游荡，短草在风中摇曳。更高处，景观发生变化，刺叶丝兰和耐寒灌木依附于岩石斜坡，而大角羊则轻松地在悬崖间穿行。尽管马车早已消失，斯科茨悬崖仍作为历史与地形的向导屹立不倒。

Scotts Bluff National Monument, Gering, Nebraska

Long before GPS, natural landmarks like Scotts Bluff rose high above the prairie, signaling to travelers that they were on the right path heading west. Before Gering became a town in 1887 and decades before Nebraska achieved statehood in 1867, these sandstone and siltstone formations were already guiding thousands along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. Scotts Bluff National Monument is named after Hiram Scott, a fur trader with the Rocky Mountain Fur Company who died under mysterious circumstances nearby in the 1820s.

Today, the nearly 3,000-acre monument includes two main bluffs—Scotts Bluff to the north and South Bluff. It also protects five prominent outcroppings: Dome Rock, Eagle Rock, Crown Rock, Saddle Rock, and Sentinel Rock. At ground level, mule deer graze alongside black-tailed prairie dogs, while coyotes prowl and short grasses ripple in the wind. Higher up, the landscape shifts, spiny yuccas and hardy shrubs cling to rocky slopes, and bighorn sheep navigate the cliffs with ease. Though the wagons are long gone, Scotts Bluff still stands as a guide through both history and terrain.

马约尔广场鸟瞰图, 马德里, 西班牙 Aerial view of Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain (© AirPano LLC/Amazing Aerial Agency)

网格的心脏 The heart of the grid

马约尔广场鸟瞰图, 马德里,西班牙

从高处俯瞰，马德里（西班牙首都）的马约尔广场（Plaza Mayor）上，整齐的拱廊与瓦片屋顶交织成一幅令人着迷的建筑和谐画卷。这片历史悠久的空间曾是热闹的集市广场“阿拉巴尔广场”（Plaza del Arrabal）的所在地，见证了这座城市数百年来的变迁。这一转变始于1561年，当时皇家法院从托莱多迁至马德里，广场随之归入马德里管辖。受秩序与宏伟愿景的启发，菲利普二世重新构想了这片广场——尽管实际施工直至菲利普三世统治时期的1617年才正式展开。

该广场采用矩形布局，四周环绕着三层高的建筑，共设有237个朝内的阳台。广场共有十个入口，其中九个设有门禁。广场中央矗立着菲利普三世的骑马雕像，该雕像于1848年增设。多年来，该广场曾举办过从地方节庆、斗牛活动到封圣仪式和皇家典礼等各类活动。如今，它仍是一个充满活力的聚集地，举办复活节鼓乐游行、户外音乐会、年度圣诞市场，以及每周日早上的邮票和硬币收藏家市场。

Aerial view of Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain

Seen from above, the uniform arcades and tiled rooftops of Plaza Mayor in Madrid—the capital of Spain—create a captivating architectural harmony. Once the site of a bustling market square known as the Plaza del Arrabal, this historic space has witnessed the city's transformation over the centuries. The shift began in 1561, when the plaza came under Madrid's jurisdiction after the royal court moved from Toledo. Inspired by a vision of order and grandeur, King Philip II reimagined the square—though construction did not actually begin until 1617, under the reign of Philip III.

Featuring a rectangular layout, the plaza is framed by three-story buildings with 237 inward-facing balconies. It has 10 entrances, nine of which are gated. At its center stands the equestrian statue of Philip III, added in 1848. Over the years, the square has hosted everything from local festivities and bullfights to beatifications and royal ceremonies. Today, it remains a vibrant gathering place, featuring Easter drum parades, outdoor concerts, an annual Christmas market, and a Sunday morning market for stamp and coin collectors.

瑟沃格湖，瓦加尔岛，法罗群岛 Sørvágsvatn lake, island of Vágar, Faroe Islands, Denmark (© Anton Petrus/Getty Images)

海洋上方的湖泊 A lake above the ocean

世界湖泊日

大自然自有其奇妙之处，瑟沃格湖（Sørvágsvatn）便是其中最精彩的之一。世界湖泊日是探索法罗群岛（丹麦王国的一个自治行政区）这片视错觉的绝佳时机。这座位于沃格岛上的湖泊也被称为莱蒂斯湖（Leitisvatn），看似漂浮在海平面之上。实际上，它的海拔不到100英尺。索尔瓦格斯湖是法罗群岛最大的湖泊，面积约1.3平方英里，为Bøsdalafossur瀑布Bøsdalafossur提供水源，瀑布的湖水在那里奔腾而下，最终倾泻而入大海。

值此世界湖泊日之际，瑟沃格湖（Sørvágsvatn）提醒我们湖泊的重要性。它们不仅提供休闲娱乐，还储存淡水，调节当地气候，并支持生物多样性。然而，如今许多湖泊正面临威胁。污染、过度使用、气候变化和水位波动正给这些脆弱的生态系统带来越来越大的压力。所以，下次看地图时，请将湖泊视为不仅仅是蓝色的点，而是我们这个世界中充满生机、值得我们关爱和关注的部分

World Lake Day in the Faroe Islands

Nature has its tricks, and Sørvágsvatn is one of its best. World Lake Day is the perfect occasion to explore this optical illusion in the Faroe Islands, an autonomous administrative division of the Kingdom of Denmark. Also called Leitisvatn, this lake on the island of Vágar appears to float far above the ocean. In reality, it sits less than 100 feet above sea level. As the largest lake in the Faroes, Sørvágsvatn has a surface area of about 1.3 square miles and feeds the Bøsdalafossur waterfall, where its waters pour dramatically into the sea.

As we mark World Lake Day, Sørvágsvatn reminds us why lakes are so vital. They not only provide recreation but also store freshwater, regulate local climates, and support biodiversity. Yet today, many are under threat. Pollution, overuse, climate change, and fluctuating water levels are placing increasing pressure on these fragile ecosystems. So, the next time you look at a map, think of lakes not just as dots of blue but as living, breathing parts of our world that deserve our care and attention.

阿尔贝罗贝洛的特鲁洛建筑，普利亚大区，意大利 Trullo buildings in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy (© Feng Wei Photography/Getty Images)

一座非凡的特鲁洛小镇 A 'trulli' remarkable town

阿尔贝罗贝洛的特鲁洛建筑，意大利

如果童话故事里有建筑师，他们或许能创造出像意大利阿尔贝罗贝洛那样的景象。但这座小镇的标志性建筑——特鲁利（trulli，单数为trullo），并非靠魔杖，而是石灰岩、无砂浆砌筑，以及——根据某些理论——一些逃税手段——才得以建成。这些粉刷过的石屋顶部是干砌的石灰岩屋顶，形状像倒置的冰淇淋蛋筒。这是一种古老的建筑技术，在阿尔贝罗贝洛，更是巧妙之举。据说早在14世纪，当地人就试图通过建造房屋来逃避房产税，因为国王的税务官来袭时，这些房屋很容易被拆除。

阿尔贝罗贝洛的特鲁利并非孤例。像蒙蒂区（Rione Monti）和小阿亚区（Aia Piccola）这样的整个街区都挤满了这些奇特的建筑。有些至今仍有人居住，有些则被改造成咖啡馆、纪念品商店和小型博物馆。你甚至还能找到一座特鲁利风格的教堂。1996年，联合国教科文组织将阿尔贝罗贝洛的特鲁利列为世界遗产。一个漏洞成为地标建筑的情况并非每天都有。

Trullo buildings in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy

If fairy tales had architects, they might've come up with something like Alberobello in Italy. But instead of magic wands, it was limestone, mortar-free masonry, and—according to some theories—a bit of tax evasion that built this town's signature homes: the trulli. These are whitewashed stone houses topped with dry-stacked limestone roofs shaped like upside-down ice cream cones. It's an ancient building technique, and in this case, a clever one. Back in the 14th century, locals were reportedly trying to avoid property taxes by constructing homes that could be quickly dismantled when the king's tax collector came around.

Alberobello's trulli aren't hidden one-offs. Entire districts—like Rione Monti and Aia Piccola—are packed with these quirky structures. Some are still lived in, while others have been transformed into cafés, souvenir shops, and pint-sized museums. You'll even find a church built in trullo style. In 1996, UNESCO gave the trulli of Alberobello the heritage stamp of approval. It's not every day that a loophole becomes a landmark.

方解石温泉区和黄石河，黄石国家公园，怀俄明州，美国 Calcite Springs Overlook and Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (© Rebecca L. Latson/Getty Images)

从火山之源到河流之路 From volcanic roots to river routes

方解石温泉区和黄石河，美国

黄石河是美国本土48州最后一条未建坝的主要河流，它从黄石公园东南方向发源，全长671英里（1080公里），汇入密苏里河，最终汇入大西洋。这座地热与峡谷交汇的观景台，让您近距离欣赏黄石河蜿蜒流经熔岩锻造的峡谷的壮丽景色。沿着玄武岩峭壁，可以看到富含矿物质的地下水仍在冒着热气，形成了白色的矿藏，方解石泉也因此得名。您或许还能看到白头鹰在头顶滑翔，或是野牛在附近悠闲地休息。黄石公园不仅仅是一个公园，它更是一座拥有游客中心的超级火山。

Yellowstone for the National Park Service's birthday

Today, the National Park Service celebrates another trip around the sun—and nearly 85 million acres of American beauty under its care. From geysers that spout like soda cans to ancient cliff dwellings tucked into canyon walls, the NPS has spent over a century preserving, protecting, and inviting people to take a hike—literally. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act into law, officially creating the NPS to 'conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects.' Since then, the NPS has grown to oversee more than 400 sites, including national parks, battlefields, monuments, and seashores.

What better spot to toast the occasion than the Calcite Springs Overlook in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming? This thermal-meets-canyon overlook offers front-row views of the Yellowstone River carving its way through a lava-forged canyon. Along the basalt cliffs, white mineral deposits that gave Calcite Springs its name are visible, formed by mineral-rich waters still steaming from underground. You might spot a bald eagle gliding overhead or bison lounging nearby. Yellowstone is more than just a park—it's a supervolcano with a visitor center.

秋季九寨沟国家公园里的诺日朗瀑布, 四川省, 中国 Nuorilang Waterfall in Jiuzhaigou National Park in autumn, Sichuan province, China (© tawatchaiprakobkit/Getty images)

彩林叠翠间的瀑布 Waterfalls among colorful forests

诺日朗瀑布, 四川, 中国

立秋是秋季的第二个节气。这意味着夏季的炎热将从此消失。不过，天气依然闷热，不像秋天。人们称这种天气为 “秋老虎”，通常从8月22日左右开始，到8月24日左右结束。

诺日朗瀑布距四川省会成都400公里，位于九寨沟景区中部，地理位置优越。距离典型藏式建筑的游客服务中心仅 300米（984英尺）。诺日朗在藏语中的意思是男性之神，强壮而威武。它海拔2365米（7759英尺），是中国最大的洞穴瀑布之一。

帕卢斯连绵起伏的丘陵，华盛顿州，美国 Rolling hills of the Palouse, Washington (© svetlana57/Getty Images)

大自然的绿色地毯 Nature's green quilt

帕卢斯连绵起伏的丘陵，华盛顿州

一波又一波的柔软丘陵绵延于帕卢斯地区。这片宁静的区域位于华盛顿州东南部，向爱达荷州和俄勒冈州的边界延伸。覆盖着小麦的坡地随着季节更迭而变换色彩。春季，丘陵呈现出郁郁葱葱的绿色，年轻的小麦和大麦开始生长；夏季则转变为干燥的金黄色，作物即将收割。

常被誉为华盛顿州最宁静的自然奇观之一，帕卢斯地区标志性的起伏山丘源于一段古老而引人入胜的地质故事。这些类似沙丘的山丘并非由河流或地壳运动塑造，而是由来自干旱西南部的风吹尘土和细粒淤泥（即“黄土”）在数千年中逐渐堆积而成。在冰河时代，来自加拿大的冰川将岩石磨成细小的“冰川粉”，这些粉尘流入史前时期的冰川密苏拉湖。当冰坝决堤时，洪水席卷了华盛顿州东部，留下层层淤泥。随后，主导风将这些尘埃带到该地区，沉积成我们今天所见的丘陵。

Rolling hills of the Palouse, Washington

Wave after wave of velvety hills stretch across the Palouse. This tranquil region lies in southeastern Washington, extending to the borders of Idaho and Oregon. The wheat-covered slopes shift in color with every passing season. In spring, the hills turn lush shades of green as young wheat and barley begin to grow, while summer transforms them into dry, golden browns as the crops near harvest.

Often hailed as one of Washington State's most serene natural wonders, the Palouse owes its signature rolling hills to an ancient and fascinating geological story. These dune-like hills were shaped over thousands of years—not by rivers or tectonic shifts, but by windblown dust and fine silt, known as 'loess,' carried from the arid Southwest. During the Ice Ages, glaciers from Canada ground rock into fine 'glacial flour,' which flowed into the prehistoric Glacial Lake Missoula. When ice dams broke, floods swept across eastern Washington, leaving behind layers of silt. Prevailing winds later carried that dust to this region, settling it into the hills we see today.

博尼法乔城堡，科西嘉岛南部，法国 The citadel in Bonifacio, Southern Corsica, France (© Marc Dozier/Getty Images)

永恒的建筑 Built to last

博尼法乔城堡，科西嘉岛南部，法国

位于科西嘉岛南端边缘的博尼法乔，隔着狭窄的海峡遥望撒丁岛，石灰岩峭壁高耸于海浪之上。最初，这里并非风景如画的旅游胜地，而是作为沿海防御工事而建立，在数百年间守护着地中海最繁忙的航道之一。公元828年，托斯卡纳的博尼法斯二世创建了博尼法乔公社，这里逐渐成为商人、士兵与水手聚集的地方，各方人群共同推动了城镇的发展。博尼法乔分为两部分：老城区（又称上城）位于高耸的悬崖之上，坐落在最初的城堡围墙内；而下方的滨海区则沿着狭长的海湾分布，拥有港口、海边住宅和日益发展的山谷社区。

在博尼法乔，城堡是不可错过的地标。这座城堡最初建于9世纪，后来不断扩建。如今，游客可以漫步在宁静的街道、古老的军事建筑与鹅卵石铺就的小巷中。周边还有“海洋公墓”、阿拉贡国王台阶，以及如今作为小型博物馆开放的旗帜堡垒等景点，等待人们前来探索。

The citadel in Bonifacio, Southern Corsica, France

Set at Corsica's southern edge, Bonifacio looks out across a narrow strait to Sardinia, its limestone cliffs towering above the waves. Bonifacio didn't begin as a picturesque tourist destination—it was originally established as a coastal fortification and has spent centuries guarding one of the Mediterranean's busiest sea lanes. Established in 828 CE by Boniface II of Tuscany, the commune gradually became a meeting point for traders, soldiers, and sailors—each group contributing to the evolution of the town's structure. Bonifacio is divided into two sections, with the 'vieille ville' (old town)—also known as 'la Haute Ville' (the Upper City)—standing on a high cliff within the original citadel walls. Below, the marine area lines the narrow inlet with harbors, waterfront homes, and a growing valley community.

While here, the Bonifacio Citadel is a must-see. First built in the 9th century and expanded over time, it invites visitors to wander through quiet passageways, old military buildings, and cobblestone streets. Nearby, you can explore the Marine Cemetery, climb the King of Aragon's Stairway, and visit the Bastion de l'Étendard, now home to a small museum.

祖马亚的复理层，巴斯克地区，西班牙 Layers of flysch in Zumaia, Basque Country, Spain (© Eloi_Omella/Getty Images)

随海而流的岩石！ Rocks that flow with the sea!

祖马亚的复理层，巴斯克地区，西班牙

这些壮观的岩层坐落于西班牙北部的祖马亚海岸，面向坎塔布连海。对于喜爱徒步的人来说，这里设有沿悬崖而建的远足路线，可通往邻近的德巴和穆特里库等小镇，沿途风光令人叹为观止。你知道吗？这里还是《权力的游戏》部分场景的取景地。它如同电影画面般的美景不仅吸引了无数好奇的旅行者，也吸引了众多地质学家前来考察。祖马亚是探索地球历史与自然之美的理想之地，一旦踏足，定会被它的奇岩异石与丰富地貌深深吸引。

雪崩湖步道，阿迪朗达克高峰区，纽约州，美国 Avalanche Lake Trail at Adirondack High Peaks, New York (© Posnov/Getty Images)

溪流入梦 Stream a little dream

雪崩湖步道，阿迪朗达克高峰区，纽约州，美国

在这片高峰密布的区域，一座面积仅约9英亩的高山湖泊静静地坐落在近2,900英尺的海拔处，位于科尔登山与雪崩山之间。湖泊由远古冰川雕刻而成，四周环绕着陡峭的峭壁和崎岖的地形，清晰地保留着冰川时代留下的印记。其中最引人注目的地貌特征是“陷阱裂缝”，一条高达1,200英尺的岩石峡谷，峭壁险峻，是阿迪朗达克地区最令人震撼的自然奇观之一。正是过去发生的大规模雪崩，塑造了这一地形，也因此得名“雪崩湖”。 雪崩湖步道始于著名的阿迪朗达克小屋，这里是进入高峰区进行徒步、登山等户外活动的热门起点。全程约9.6英里，累计爬升约1,350英尺，虽然看似是一段轻松的行程，实则沿途地形复杂、变化多端，是对体力与意志的双重挑战。

Avalanche Lake Trail at Adirondack High Peaks, New York

There's no easing into the wild here—the Avalanche Lake Trail carves a bold path through rock scrambles, narrow ledges, and alpine serenity. Tucked away in New York's Adirondack High Peaks, this 9-acre alpine lake sits at nearly 2,900 feet between Mount Colden and Avalanche Mountain. Shaped by ancient glaciers, the lake is framed by dramatic cliffs and rugged terrain that echo its icy origins. Its most striking feature is the Trap Dike—a towering 1,200-foot rock canyon flanked by steep walls, making the lake one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the Adirondacks. Massive avalanches carved these cliffs, leaving behind the dramatic landscape that gave Avalanche Lake its name. The Avalanche Lake Trail begins at the Adirondack Loj, a well-known launch point for adventures in the High Peaks. Spanning about 9.6 miles round trip with a 1,350-foot elevation gain, the hike may seem manageable on paper—but it's the uneven terrain that truly tests your mettle.