梵蒂冈城与圣彼得大教堂，罗马，意大利 Vatican City with Saint Peter's Basilica (© RudyBalasko/Getty Images)

城中之国 A country within a city

梵蒂冈城，罗马，意大利

在意大利罗马市中心，有一个独立的国家：梵蒂冈城国。这个国家仅有 121 英亩，是世界上最小的独立国家，但其影响力却跨越了数个世纪和各大洲。作为教皇的居所和罗马天主教的精神中心，这座城墙环绕的飞地融合了艺术、历史与信仰。梵蒂冈城的核心地标是圣彼得大教堂，这座文艺复兴时期的建筑被普遍认为建于耶稣门徒、第一任罗马主教圣彼得的安葬地之上。今日图片中远景所示即为其雄伟的穹顶，也是世界上最大的教堂之一。大教堂前的圣彼得广场是教皇祝福仪式和宗教聚会的重要场所，每年吸引大量信众前来朝圣。此外，梵蒂冈博物馆与西斯廷礼拜堂也是不可错过的文化遗产，后者天顶画由米开朗基罗绘制，堪称艺术巅峰。尽管面积狭小，梵蒂冈城国却拥有独立的行政体系，包括邮政、电话系统、银行以及货币发行权。它虽非欧盟成员国，却发行专属欧元硬币。

环绕着梵蒂冈城的是罗马这座城市，本身就是一座活着的博物馆，拥有斗兽场、古罗马广场、万神殿等历史地标。在这里，信仰、历史与现代交织，带来一段独特且难忘的体验。

Vatican City with St. Peter's Basilica

In the middle of Rome, Italy, lies an entire country of its own: Vatican City. At just 121 acres, it's the smallest independent nation in the world, yet its reach spans centuries and continents. Home to the pope and the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church, this walled enclave is a blend of art, history, and devotion. At its core stands St. Peter's Basilica. Seen in the distance in today's image, this Renaissance masterpiece is built over what is believed to be the tomb of St. Peter, the first bishop of Rome. With its soaring dome dominating the skyline, the basilica is one of the largest churches in the world. Just beyond the basilica lies St. Peter's Square, where thousands gather for papal blessings. The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, which houses Michelangelo's famed ceiling, are other must-sees. Despite its size, Vatican City has its own postal service, telephone system, and banking system.

夏季的赛里木湖，博尔塔拉蒙古自治州博乐县, 中国新疆维吾尔自治区 Sayram lake in summer, in Bole county, Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China (© Feng Wei Photography/Getty Images)

天山上的蓝宝石 Sapphire on Tianshan Mountain

赛里木湖，新疆，中国

大暑是中国传统农历的第十二个节气，也是夏季的最后一个节气，象征着“暑气逼人”——一年中阳光最强烈、气温最热、湿度最高的时期。炎炎夏日来临，何不逃离尘嚣，前往新疆天山附近赛里木湖畔的绝美风景区呢？

赛里木湖宛如一颗蓝宝石，镶嵌在天山的脊梁上。在光影的舞动下，湖面呈现出层层变幻的蓝色——从晶莹剔透的青瓷色到深邃如墨的翡翠色，十二米深的湖底，每一粒鹅卵石都清晰可见。夏季（六月至八月）将这片高山天堂变成一处宁静的休憩之所，20°C的清风与淅淅沥沥的细雨交织在一起。这里，白雪皑皑的山峰直插碧空，高山草甸繁花似锦；天鹅在宝石般色泽的水面上优雅地滑行，游人可以乘船穿梭于晶莹剔透的湖面上，将山峦的倒影碎裂成星辰。

望远镜下的月球表面照片 The moon's surface seen through a telescope (© Sergey Kuznetsov/Getty Images)

在月光下起舞 Dancing in the moonlight

月球日

每年7月20日是国家月球日，纪念1969年尼尔·阿姆斯特朗首次踏上月球这一具有历史意义的时刻。他的那句宣言：“这是我个人的一小步，却是人类的一大步”，也随之载入史册。紧随其后的是巴兹·奥尔德林，成为第二位登上月球的人。

这项壮举源于美国总统约翰·F·肯尼迪在1961年提出的目标：“在十年内将人类送上月球，并安全返回地球。”阿波罗11号于1969年7月16日从佛罗里达州的肯尼迪航天中心发射，7月19日进入月球轨道。7月20日，“鹰”号登月舱成功在月面着陆，全世界屏息以待，见证这一历史时刻的到来。

月球日不仅仅是对那“一小步”的纪念，更是向促成这场科技奇迹的科学探索精神、团队协作精神以及国际和平合作精神致敬。这种精神至今仍持续推动着人类迈向更遥远的宇宙。

Moon Day

Every July 20, we celebrate National Moon Day, marking the historic moment when Neil Armstrong first stepped onto the moon in 1969. Uttering the iconic words, 'That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,' Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon, followed by Buzz Aldrin.

The moon landing was the result of President John F. Kennedy's bold 1961 goal to send a man to the moon and return him safely before the decade's end. Apollo 11 launched from Kennedy Space Center on July 16, 1969, reaching lunar orbit by July 19. On July 20, the Eagle lunar module touched down, and the world held its breath as history unfolded.

Moon Day honors not just that first step, but also the science, teamwork, and peaceful international cooperation that made it possible—and continue to drive space exploration today.

幽鹤国家公园的伯吉斯山和翡翠湖, 不列颠哥伦比亚省, 加拿大 Mount Burgess and Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada (© Feng Wei Photography/Getty Images)

化石、瀑布与林间小径 Fossil, falls and forest trailsFossils, falls and forest trails.

幽鹤国家公园，不列颠哥伦比亚省, 加拿大

“Yoho”听起来就像是人们站在山巅情不自禁发出的欢呼，而来到这里，你或许真的会这样做。幽鹤国家公园建于1886年，位于加拿大不列颠哥伦比亚省，以其峻峭的悬崖、冰川湖泊与雷鸣般的瀑布而闻名。作为加拿大第二古老的国家公园，它也是加拿大落基山国家公园世界遗产地的一部分。整个公园占地1,313 平方公里，其中的伯吉斯页岩化石遗址保存了逾5亿年前的海洋生物，对理解早期生物演化历程具有不可替代的科研价值。

漫步于此，你可能会邂逅麋鹿、山地山羊、土拨鼠，甚至偶尔出没的灰熊。森林冠层主要由黑松组成，而雪崩百合会在积雪融化后不久绽放。今日图片中翡翠湖展现了公园中的又一瑰宝。湖水之所以呈现鲜明的蓝绿色，是因为湖底存在大量由冰川磨蚀产生的细微岩粉，这类矿物颗粒能有效散射蓝绿光。湖泊四周环绕着森林山坡、雪崩通道，以及如伯吉斯山等耸立的高峰。如有机会来到这里，别忘了携带一些轻便食物，这片如画的湖畔美景可能会让你忍不住多绕几圈，流连忘返。

塞里雅兰瀑布日落美景，冰岛 Seljalandsfoss waterfall at sunset, Iceland (© Tom Mackie/AWL/plainpicture)

一切准备就绪，等待日落 Everything is ready, waiting for sunset

塞里雅兰瀑布，冰岛

这座197英尺高的瀑布从曾经标志着冰岛海岸线的悬崖峭壁倾泻而下。奔腾的瀑布是塞里雅兰河 (Seljalandsa River) 的一部分，发源于火山冰川埃亚菲亚德拉冰盖 (Eyjafjallajökull)。这座冰盖下的火山上次喷发是在2010年，对当地居民和空中交通造成了影响。游客可以走到瀑布后面的一个小洞穴，那里拥有独特的视角，也是摄影师的最爱。夜晚，泛光灯照亮了瀑布，营造出一幅梦幻般的景象。如果您计划在夏至期间度假，塞里雅兰瀑布 (Seljalandsfoss) 值得列入您的旅行清单。无论您是自然爱好者还是摄影爱好者，这次体验都将为您留下难忘的回忆。

瓦朗索勒高原的薰衣草田，法国 Lavender fields in Plateau de Valensole, France (© zpagistock/Getty Images)

追随香气的地平线 Fragrant horizons

瓦朗索勒高原的薰衣草田，法国

若你正在寻找一场充满芬芳的夏日旅程，法国普罗旺斯的瓦朗索勒高原无疑是理想之选。从六月下旬至七月中旬，这片高原便会被紫色花海覆盖，宛如香气四溢的天然画布。高原坐落于海拔约1,900英尺的地带，面积达约300平方英里，是法国规模最大的薰衣草种植区之一。

薰衣草种植在该地区的兴起可追溯至19世纪，当时附近格拉斯地区的香水工业蓬勃发展。随着时间推移，薰衣草种植逐渐覆盖普罗旺斯，尤其集中在阳光充足、排水良好的高地地区，比如瓦朗索勒高原。如今，1700名种植者在大约62000英亩的土地上精心栽培这些薰衣草。所栽培的品种包括用于香水和护肤品的传统薰衣草，也种植茎更长的薰衣草杂交品种，常用于家居清洁用品和空气清新剂。瓦朗索勒的薰衣草田并非偶然的景致，而是香气与产业共生演化的结果。若希望尽情沉浸于这片紫色海洋之中，务必提前安排行程，循着薰衣草的香气，收获一个充满感官记忆的夏日。

Lavender fields in Plateau de Valensole, France

If you're looking for a scent-sational summer trip, follow your nose to the Plateau de Valensole in Provence, France. From late June to mid-July, this high plateau transforms into a purple sea of lavender. Situated more than 1,900 feet above sea level and spanning approximately 300 square miles, it is one of the largest areas in France dedicated to lavender cultivation.

Lavender has flourished in Provence for centuries. The ancient Romans brought the plant to southern France, using it for bathing, cooking, and healing. The word itself comes from 'lavare,' Latin for 'to wash.' By the Middle Ages, local monks were cultivating it for medicinal purposes. The real boom came in the 19th century, when the perfume industry in nearby Grasse took off. Over time, lavender fields spread across Provence, especially in high-sun, well-drained areas like Valensole. Today, 1,700 growers tend to around 62,000 acres of these shrubs. They cultivate both traditional lavender—for perfumes and skincare—and lavandin, the longer-stemmed cousin often found in household cleaning products and air fresheners. So don't just leave it to chance—plan ahead, follow the scent trail, and let your summer bloom with lavender memories.

菲莱神庙 (aka Temple of Isis), 阿斯旺, 埃及 Temple of Philae (aka Temple of Isis), Aswan, Egypt (© Ratnakorn Piyasirisorost/Getty Images)

伊西斯女神的光辉照耀下 Illuminated by Isis

菲莱神庙, 阿斯旺, 埃及

菲莱神庙，常被称为伊西斯神庙，是埃及最迷人的古迹之一。它最初建在菲莱岛上，后来为避免被洪水淹没而迁至附近的阿吉勒基亚岛。这项迁移工程是20世纪60年代由联合国教科文组织发起的国际文物拯救项目，历时多年，搬运了逾4万块石块，才得以完整重建并保存这座古老神庙。如今，它坐落在尼罗河环绕的静谧之地，是乘船游览和探寻往昔的绝佳去处。

步入雄伟的门楼后，游客将进入一片立柱林立的庭院。主神庙供奉伊西斯女神，她是古埃及神话中掌管魔法、母性与守护的女神，神庙墙面雕刻生动讲述了关于她的神话传说。此外，遗址中还分布着供奉冥界之神奥西里斯（伊西斯的兄弟兼丈夫）与天空之神荷鲁斯（鹰头神）的小型神殿和祭祀堂。这处联合国教科文组织认定的世界遗产地可供游客自由探索，也可选择导览讲解。夜幕降临时，一场结合光影与音效的声光表演将古埃及神话栩栩如生地呈现眼前。这座神庙以其精美的浮雕艺术与良好的建筑保存状态，为世人揭示了古埃及文明的神秘与辉煌。

Temple of Philae, Aswan, Egypt

The Temple of Philae, often called the Temple of Isis, is one of Egypt's most enchanting ancient sites. Originally built on Philae Island, it was moved to nearby Agilkia Island to save it from flooding. The international rescue effort, launched by UNESCO in the 1960s, required a monumental effort that involved moving more than 40,000 stones. Today, it's a peaceful spot surrounded by the Nile—perfect for a scenic boat ride and a journey into the past.

To enter the temple complex, sightseers step through a grand gateway that leads to a courtyard lined with towering columns. The main temple is dedicated to Isis, the goddess of magic, motherhood, and protection, and its walls are covered in carvings that tell her story. Smaller chapels and shrines tucked around the site, including ones for Osiris (the Egyptian god of the underworld and brother-husband to Isis) and Horus (the sky deity depicted with a falcon head). Visitors can explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site freely or join a guided tour. At night, a sound-and-light show brings ancient myths to life. The temple's intricate carvings and well-preserved structures provide a fascinating glimpse into Egypt's ancient history.

英仙座流星雨和一棵古老刺果松，大盆地国家公园，内华达州，美国 Perseid meteor shower and an ancient bristlecone pine, Great Basin National Park, Nevada (© Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock)

永恒的光芒 Timeless glow

英仙座流星雨照亮内华达

准备迎接一年中最耀眼的天文奇观之一英仙座流星雨吧！该流星雨每年活跃期为7月中旬至8月下旬，而今年的峰值将于8月12日夜间至13日凌晨上演璀璨盛景。当地球穿越彗星斯威夫特-塔特尔留下的冰岩碎片轨道时，形成了这一流星雨。这颗彗星上一次接近地球是在1992年。当这些尘埃颗粒以高速进入地球大气层时，会因摩擦而燃烧，划出一道道明亮的光痕。

若想尽情欣赏这场天文盛宴，北半球至中南纬度地区是最佳观测地点。今日图片所示地点为美国内华达州的大盆地国家公园。这里栖息着地球上最古老的非克隆植物狐尾松。这些树木在风雪与雨水的雕琢下，顽强生存了数千年，年复一年地守候着夜空中这场流星雨的盛会。

Perseid meteor shower over Nevada

Get ready for one of the most dazzling celestial displays of the year—the Perseid meteor shower. Active from mid-July through late August, this year it reaches its spectacular peak on the night of August 12 and into the early hours of August 13. The Perseids light up the skies when Earth passes through a trail of icy and rocky debris left behind by Comet Swift–Tuttle, which last passed close to our planet in 1992. These meteors are called the Perseids because they appear to streak from the direction of the constellation Perseus.

For those hoping to catch a glimpse of this breathtaking show, the Perseid meteor shower is best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere, extending down to the mid-southern latitudes. One such vantage point is Great Basin National Park in Nevada, seen in today's image, where ancient bristlecone pines stand beneath a sky ablaze with shooting stars. These remarkable trees are the oldest non-clonal species on Earth. Shaped by relentless wind, snow, and rain, they've endured for millennia—witnessing ice ages, volcanic eruptions, and the rise and fall of civilizations.

卡尔夫沙马尔斯维克湾玄武岩柱，斯卡吉半岛，冰岛 Basalt columns at Kálfshamarsvík, Skagi Peninsula, Iceland (© Arterra Picture Library/Alamy Stock Photo)

层层叠叠的岩石 Rockin' those layers

国际岩石日

你觉得岩石只是……岩石吗？这些天然的矿物组合不仅仅只是静静地待在原地，它们是地球地壳的基本组成单位，从石器时代的工具到为现代文明提供动力的矿物，岩石在人类发展史中发挥了重要作用。国际岩石日的设立，正是为了庆祝岩石在自然界及人类社会中的深远影响，激发公众对地质科学的兴趣，并鼓励人们欣赏岩石所展现的自然之美与多样性。

若想直观感受地质作用的壮观场景，冰岛无疑是理想之地。今日图片所示地点为冰岛北部偏远的斯卡格半岛，一处宁静的海湾：卡尔夫沙马尔斯维克。与冰岛著名的黑沙滩不同，这里布满了巨大的光滑鹅卵石，其周边高耸的海崖则清晰记录了该地区火山活动的历史。在这些海崖中，稀有的六边形玄武岩柱展现了火山地质作用的典范。这些看似人工雕琢的对称结构，实则为自然形成的地质奇观。这些玄武岩柱的形成可追溯至约两百万年前，当时大量玄武岩熔岩缓慢冷却，体积收缩并产生裂缝，裂缝逐步演化为规则的几何形状，最终形成近乎完美的六边形岩柱。尽管冰岛火山景观众多，但如此规模与规则性兼具的地貌极为罕见，使这片静谧的海湾显得尤为独特与珍贵。

Iceland for International Rock Day

Do you think rocks are just … well, rocks? These natural mineral combinations have done more than just sit around—they've built the Earth's crust and helped humans shape history. From Stone Age tools to the minerals powering modern civilization, rocks have been essential throughout our journey. International Rock Day celebrates this enduring impact, inviting us to explore the science of rocks, admire their natural beauty, and recognize the rich variety they add to our world.

If you're wondering where to see geology in action, Iceland is a great place to explore. Today's image takes us to Kálfshamarsvík—a secluded cove on the country's remote Skagi Peninsula. Unlike Iceland's famous black sand beaches, this cove's shore is strewn with large, smooth pebbles, while its fiery volcanic past still reveals itself in the towering cliffs. Here, evidence of volcanic activity is on full display in the form of rare hexagonal basalt columns. These sea cliffs are shaped into natural sculptures so symmetrical that they look almost human-made. These striking formations were created around 2 million years ago, when thick basalt lava cooled slowly, contracting and cracking into geometric shapes that form near-perfect hexagons. Though Iceland is full of volcanic marvels, formations like these are rare, making this quiet cove truly remarkable.

日出时的东京，日本 Tokyo at sunrise, Japan (© pongnathee kluaythong/Getty Images)

把我们都算上 Counting us all in

世界人口日

我们生活的地球早已人满为患，并且仍在不断变得更加拥挤。目前全球人口已达82亿，且呈持续增长之势。世界人口日旨在引发人们对人口增长如何影响城市发展、粮食供给与未来前景的思考。该纪念日设立于1989年，聚焦于不受控的人口增长对可持续性带来的影响，其灵感源自1987年全球人口首次突破50亿的“50亿人口日”。随着城市不断扩张，绿地面积减少，农业也在有限的土地和水资源中展开竞争。然而前路并非无解：通过教育投资、改善医疗可及性，以及建设更智慧的城市，人口增长与可持续发展之间可以实现平衡。

从全球数据来看，至2025年，印度仍将是全球人口最多的国家，人口数预计超过14.6亿；其次是中国，人口约14.1亿；美国以约3.39亿人口位居第三，尽管其增长速度趋缓，人口老龄化正成为新的社会挑战。当前全球人口最多的城市是日本东京，人口约3,720万，它呈现出高密度城市生活的实际图景：空间紧张、交通拥堵，以及公共服务需求高企。世界人口日不只是人口统计，更是呼吁我们要进行具前瞻性的规划，以确保子孙后代能在资源有限的地球上能持续繁荣发展。

World Population Day

We are living in a full house, and it is getting fuller. With 8.2 billion people and counting, World Population Day highlights how that growth affects cities, food, and the future. First observed in 1989, the day focuses on how unchecked population growth affects sustainability. The event was inspired by Five Billion Day in 1987, which marked the approximate date when the global population hit that milestone. As cities expand, green spaces shrink, and agriculture competes for limited land and water resources. But there is a way forward—investing in education, improving access to healthcare, and building smarter cities can balance growth with sustainability.

On a global scale, India remains the most populous country in 2025 with over 1.46 billion people, followed by China at 1.41 billion. The United States trails with around 339 million, though its growth is slowing and aging populations are becoming a new challenge. Tokyo, the world's largest city with around 37.2 million people, illustrates the realities of high-density urban life: overcrowded spaces, transport congestion, and rising demand for services. World Population Day is more than a head count—it's a call for better planning and long-term thinking to ensure future generations can thrive on a planet with finite resources.