The Most Beautiful Land on Earth, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the land you think is the most beautiful!

Updated on Apr 24, 2024 06:24

In a world as diverse and sprawling as ours, every corner offers unique vistas and breathtaking landscapes. Whether it's the serene valleys, rugged cliffs, lush forests, or sprawling deserts, beauty is omnipresent, yet often goes unrecognized on a global scale. Ranking these places provides a way to share these magnificent sights with others and acknowledge their splendor. By participating in the voting, users contribute to a collective celebration of the planet's diversity. This dynamic ranking not only educates but also inspires a deeper appreciation and awareness of the Earth's scenic treasures. It encourages exploration and conservation, highlighting the need to preserve these wonders for future generations.

What Is the Most Beautiful Land on Earth?

1

24
votes
The Maldives

The Maldives is a stunning tropical paradise, with crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches. The islands are also home to a diverse range of marine life, making it a popular destination for snorkeling and diving.
The Maldives is an archipelago located in the Indian Ocean, consisting of 26 coral atolls. It is renowned for its pristine white sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, and vibrant coral reefs. The Maldives offers a tropical paradise featuring luxurious resorts, where visitors can enjoy exceptional privacy and relaxation. It is a popular destination for honeymooners, beach lovers, and diving enthusiasts.

Geographical location: Indian Ocean

Number of islands: 26 coral atolls

Beach type: White sandy beaches

Water type: Crystal clear turquoise waters

Reef type: Vibrant coral reefs
The Maldives in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most beautiful ocean
2

45
votes
Santorini, Greece

Santorini is known for its unique architecture and stunning sunsets. The island is famous for its cliffside towns, blue-domed churches, and panoramic views of the Aegean Sea.
Santorini is a Greek island characterized by its beautiful white buildings and blue-domed churches, set against the backdrop of the Aegean Sea. It is known for its stunning sunsets, unique beaches, and rich history and culture. Santorini's beauty has made it a popular tourist destination for travelers from around the world.

Location: South Aegean Sea

Population: 15,550

Area: 90.69 km²

Language: Greek

Climate: Mediterranean
Santorini, Greece in other rankings
- Position 7 of 10 in Most beautiful cities in Europe
3

14
votes
Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora is a small island in the South Pacific, known for its turquoise lagoons and overwater bungalows. The island is also home to a diverse range of marine life, making it a popular destination for snorkeling and diving.
Bora Bora is a picturesque tropical island located in French Polynesia, known for its breathtaking beauty and idyllic surroundings. It is often referred to as the 'Pearl of the Pacific' and is considered one of the most beautiful islands in the world. With its crystal-clear turquoise lagoon, pristine white sandy beaches, and lush tropical landscapes, Bora Bora is truly a paradise on earth. The island is adorned with stunning overwater bungalows that provide luxurious accommodations and offer stunning views of the surrounding lagoon and Mount Otemanu, a dormant volcano.

Location: French Polynesia

Island group: Society Islands

Archipelago: Leeward Islands

Total area: 29.3 square kilometers

Population: 10,605 (as of 2017)
Bora Bora, French Polynesia in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most beautiful Pacific Island
4

7
votes
Banff National Park, Canada

John Macoun

Banff National Park is known for its stunning mountain landscapes, turquoise lakes, and abundant wildlife. Visitors can enjoy hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities in this natural wonderland.
Banff National Park is a vast wilderness area located in the Canadian Rockies. The park is home to glaciers, ice fields, dense forests, alpine landscapes, and stunning turquoise lakes. The park was established in 1885 as Canada's first national park and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Size: 6,641 square kilometers

Highest peak: Mount Forbes (3,612 meters)

Number of glaciers: 1,000+

Number of lakes: more than 1,000

Wildlife: grizzly bears, wolves, elk, moose, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep
5

13
votes
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its emerald waters and towering limestone cliffs. Visitors can take a cruise through the bay to explore its many caves and grottoes.
Ha Long Bay, located in northeastern Vietnam, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and is considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world. It features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various shapes and sizes, rising majestically from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. The bay covers an area of approximately 1,553 square kilometers and is home to diverse ecosystems, including tropical forests, coral reefs, and mangrove forests.

Location: Northeastern Vietnam

Area: 1,553 square kilometers

Limestone Karsts: Thousands of karsts and isles

Ecosystems: Tropical forests, coral reefs, and mangrove forests

Water: Emerald-colored
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most beautiful bay in the world
6

7
votes
Yellowstone National Park, USA

Yellowstone is America's oldest national park, known for its geothermal features, including geysers, hot springs, and mud pots. The park is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, and bison.
Yellowstone National Park is a breathtaking natural wonder located primarily in Wyoming, USA. It was established in 1872 and is widely considered to be the first national park in the world. With its vast size of over 2 million acres, it showcases an unparalleled range of geothermal features, including the famous Old Faithful geyser. This unique landscape is also home to diverse ecosystems, featuring majestic mountains, alpine meadows, dense forests, and numerous rivers and lakes. Yellowstone National Park is renowned for its abundant wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, elk, and herds of bison and elk. The park offers a multitude of recreational activities, such as hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

Location: Primarily in Wyoming, USA

Established: 1872

Size: Over 2 million acres

Geothermal Features: Including Old Faithful geyser

Ecosystems: Mountains, meadows, forests, rivers, lakes
7

6
votes
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 kilometers along the coast of Australia. The reef is home to thousands of species of marine life, including whales, dolphins, turtles, and more.
The Great Barrier Reef is a natural wonder located in the Coral Sea off the coast of Australia. It is the world's largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 kilometers and featuring around 3,000 individual reefs and hundreds of islands. The reef is home to an incredibly diverse array of marine life, including over 1,500 species of fish, 600 types of coral, and countless other species.

Length: 2,300 kilometers

Number of reefs: Around 3,000

Number of islands: Hundreds

Marine life species: Over 1,500 species of fish and 600 types of coral

UNESCO World Heritage Site designated year: 1981
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most beautiful coastline in the world
8

7
votes
Machu Picchu, Peru

The Inca civilization

Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan city, located high in the Andes Mountains. The city is known for its stunning stone architecture and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Machu Picchu is a sprawling fortress and temple complex from the Inca civilization, located high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. This ancient city is known for its unique blend of precise construction and stunning natural surroundings, making it a popular tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Location: Andes Mountains, Peru

Built: 15th century AD

Type: Fortress/temple complex

Size: 13 square kilometers

Elevation: 2,430 meters (7,970 feet)
Machu Picchu, Peru in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most beautiful architectural structure in the world
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular location on Instagram
9

0
votes
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0

Petra, Jordan

Nabataeans

Petra is an ancient city carved into the rock, located in the desert of Jordan. The city is known for its stunning architecture, including the famous Treasury building, which was featured in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Petra is a historical and archaeological city in the southern part of Jordan known for its stunning sandstone rock-cut architecture and ancient water conduit system. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Jordan.

Location: Southern Jordan

Date of construction: 312 BCE

Architectural Style: Hellenistic

Petra's Monuments: The Treasury, Monastery, Royal Tombs, Temple of Al-Deir

Water Conduit System: Innovative engineering systems that provided water for Petra’s citizens and agriculture
Petra, Jordan in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most beautiful architectural structure in the world
10

4
votes
The Norwegian Fjords

The Norwegian Fjords are a stunning natural wonder, with towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and crystal-clear waters. Visitors can take a cruise through the fjords to explore this breathtaking landscape.
The Norwegian Fjords is a stunning natural wonder located in Norway. It is a series of narrow and deep glacially-formed valleys that are filled with seawater. The fjords are surrounded by steep cliffs and snow-capped peaks, providing a breathtaking landscape unlike any other on Earth.

Location: Norway

Formation: Glaciation and erosion

Length: Approximately 1,190 kilometers

Depth: Varies, with some fjords reaching depths of over 1,300 meters

Width: Ranges from a kilometer to several kilometers

Missing your favorite land?

Graphs

Discussion

Ranking factors for beautiful land

Natural Scenery

The visual appeal of the landscape, including mountains, valleys, waterfalls, forests, coastlines, and other natural features that make the land stand out and provide a memorable experience for those who visit.
Biodiversity

The variety of plant and animal species that inhabit a region, which can contribute to the overall beauty and uniqueness of the land.
Climate

The climate of the region is important, as it can impact the overall appearance and comfort level for visitors. A mild, temperate climate with distinct seasons can make a region more beautiful and enjoyable.
Cultural and Historical Significance

The presence of historical sites, buildings, or landmarks can add to the beauty of a region and make it more interesting and meaningful to visitors.
Sustainability and Environmental Health

A region that is well-preserved and not marred by pollution, deforestation, or other environmental issues will be more naturally beautiful and more appealing to visitors.
Accessibility

The ease with which visitors can reach and explore the region can impact its overall appeal, and beautiful landscapes that are accessible to a wide range of people can be more highly regarded.
Outdoor Recreation Opportunities

The availability of activities like hiking, camping, wildlife watching, and other outdoor experiences can make a region more appealing and contribute to its overall beauty.
Uniqueness

Regions that feature a distinct landscape or rare natural features are likely to be considered more beautiful, as these attributes can't be found elsewhere.
Safety and Stability

Visitors are more likely to enjoy and appreciate a region that is safe and politically stable, which can add to its perceived beauty.
Local Culture and Hospitality

The interaction with friendly, welcoming locals and the opportunity to engage with their unique customs and traditions can enhance the overall experience of a region and contribute to its beauty.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful land on Earth. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or land is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1428 views
126 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each land once every 24 hours. The rank of each land is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Trendings topics

Don't miss out on the currently trending topics of StrawPoll Rankings!

More information on most beautiful land on earth

The Earth is a magnificent planet, full of diverse and breathtaking landscapes. From soaring mountain peaks to serene beaches, there is no shortage of natural beauty to be found. But what exactly makes a land beautiful? Is it the vibrant colors of a sunset, the intricate patterns of a desert, or the stillness of a forest? Perhaps it is the combination of all these elements that create a truly stunning landscape. In this poll, we invite you to explore the most beautiful lands on Earth, and to share your own favorite destinations. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or simply an admirer of natural beauty, we hope this poll will inspire you to discover new and wondrous places on our planet.