Fisher Body 21 Plant in Detroit. (Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre) Symbolizing the dramatic decline of Motor City, many buildings and structures in the former manufacturing mecca of Detroit, Mich. lay in crumbling and weather-beaten ruins. In his bestselling book, "The World Without Us," Alan Weisman(who has reported from abandoned cities such as Chernobyl, Ukraine and Varosha, Cyprus) wrote thatstructures crumble as weather does unrepaired damage and other life forms create new habitats. A common structure would begin to fall...

Volcanic eruptions are some of most powerful forces in the world. The burning lava that flows from an eruption can obviously destroy everything in its path, but on the other hand, volcanic eruptions also have the ability to create. In fact, the gases from volcanic eruptions created the planet’s atmosphere, reports LiveScience. Volcanoes also played a key role in creating the first oceans, according to the United States Search and Rescue Task Force, and they have shaped the earth’s landscapeever...

On September 18, Scotland will vote whether or not to end the 307-year-old union with the rest of the United Kingdom. But while voters decide whether they want the nation to become an independent country, they—and the millions of visitors who visit Scotland per year—are all probably in agreement that its historic castles, stunning lochs and numerous natural wonders make it one of the most beautiful places in the world. Scotland is known for its iconic castles, some towering as...

Latin America is made up of 22 Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries from Central and South America and is home to many jaw-dropping sites worthy of anyone’s bucket list. There are several stunning waterfalls that can be found in this region of the world, including Angel Falls, the worlds highest waterfall, and Mocona Falls, which runs parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the Uruguay river. Adventurous tourists can head to Cerro Negro and “volcano-board” down Central America’s youngest (but still active) volcano....

Men and women swim in the wave pool at the Paradise Island Water Park on September 20, 2014 in Chengdu, China. The Paradise Island Water Park is located inside of the New Century Global Center, the world's largest building measured by floor space, boasting 18,000,000 square feet of floor space. (Taylor Weidman/Getty Images) Summer may be coming to an end but that doesn’t mean swimmers can’t still enjoy a nice dip. People in Chengdu, China are fortunate enough to have...

They are dark and mysterious, but caves also hide—and reveal—magical, undeground oases for swimmers, scuba divers and adventurous spelunkers looking to explore a new frontier. Here, we round up 15 beautiful, water-made formations (most caves are actually formed by thousands of years of water erosion): caves, cenotes and grottoes where you can take a refreshing dip or discover underwater wonders. (MORE: Best Swimming Spot in Every State) 1. Poco Azul, Chapada Diamantina National Park, Brazil Located in the state of...

Nothing says (or screams) summer like a shriek-inducing, stomach-dropping roller coaster. And many Americans seem to agree. According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Global Theme and Amusement Park Outlook 2014-2018 report, more than 375 million people visit theme parks in the United States and Canada on an annual basis, contributing $18.8 billion to park revenue. As families flock to amusement parks, water parks and adventure parks across the country, more and more thrilling attractions are...

Clouds curl over the eastern edge of the village where cliffs drop almost vertically to the floodplains below. (Amos Chapple) Photographer Amos Chapple fell in love with the state of Meghalaya, India, years ago, and he knew he had to return to capture images of the environment and its locals. Meghalaya is known as the wettest place on Earth, as it receives 467 inches of rain per year, according to Weather Underground, 13 times the rainfall in Seattle. For years,...

Rainforests are some of the world's most pristine and important environments on Earth. Covering less than 2 percent of the Earth's total surface area, the world's rainforests are actually home to 50 percent of the Earth's plants and animals and act as the world's thermostat by regulating temperatures and weather patterns, according to the Nature Conservancy. They are also some of the most beautiful spots in the world and worth a visit on your next vacation. View the slideshow above...

From cascading rice terraces to gigantic caves to limestone islands, Vietnam is a destination brimming with natural beauty. The country offers something for everyone: adventure, culture, wildlife, delicious cuisine, and a rich history. (MORE: 50 Ultimate Travel Destinations for Animal Lovers) Perhaps the most famous destination in the country is Halong Bay, located in the Gulf of Tonkin. This UNESCO World Heritage Site includes over 1,600 limestone islands islets, most of which are uninhabited. The bay gets its name (which...

As the world’s sixth largest country, Australia is full of amazing and diverse places to visit, including beautiful mountain ranges, stunning beaches, world-renowned wine regions, bustling cities, exotic rainforests, and expansive deserts. With 16,000 miles of coastline, there are thousands of unforgettable Australian beaches, such as Hyams Beach, which holds the Guinness World Record for having the world’s whitest sand. Those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of developed coastlines can find refuge in the secluded beaches of Rottnest...

While many islands are known for their natural beauty, there are islands dotting the world's seas that were formed by man rather than Mother Nature. Some of these man-made islands were created for flood protection, some were developed for tourism and others serve as wildlife sanctuaries. While many of these creations are true feats of engineering, there have been reports on the ecological impact of some of these artificial islands. Dubai's mega-projects such as the World Islands and the Palm...

Spreepark (Kulturpark) amusement park on April 27, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Spreepark has been abandoned for 13 years but the city of Berlin recently purchased the lease for the land the park sits on. (Athanasios Gioumpasis/Getty Images) Abandoned in 2001, the grounds ofSpreepark amusement park in Berlin, Germany are littered with decaying dinosaurs, crumbling rides and overgrown roller coaster tracks. Since it shut down operations, the park (which opened in 1969 and attracted 1.5 million visitors in its heyday) has...