G: The low-lying tropical paradise of the Maldives. This beautiful island nation comprises twenty ring-shaped coral reef formations called atolls. These atolls enclose vibrant lagoons, and the very word atoll originates from the local Dhivehi language.
O: The high-altitude alpine landscape in the Hautes-Alpes department of the French Alps. This stunning corner of the world features rocky, forested terrain, distinct alpine ecosystems shaped by harsh conditions, and diverse wildlife including chamois, marmots, and golden eagles.
O: Quebec’s rugged Côte-Nord. This untamed stretch, where the boreal forest hugs the St. Lawrence River from Tadoussac to Blanc-Sablon, is home to tough plants and animals that thrive in the subarctic frontier.
G: The Mendoza Province of western Argentina. East of the Andes, this arid to semi-arid region is sustained by vital rivers like the Mendoza, Tunuyán, Diamante, and Atuel, which originate in the mountains.
L: Southeastern Utah, United States of America. Uplifted by tectonic forces, this corner of the Colorado Plateau features deep canyons carved by the Colorado River, with mesas and buttes rising from layered rock. Near Lake Powell, desert plants have adapted to endure the arid climate.
E: A remote inland area of western New South Wales, Australia. Home to a classic dry Australian landscape, this area features flat to gently rolling land with drought-resistant plants like spinifex and eucalyptus. Local wildlife is well-suited to the harsh climate across this remote land that’s largely used for grazing livestock.
Images courtesy of Airbus, Data SIO, NOAA, Landsat / Corpernicus, U.S. Geological Survey
