History •September 22, 2023•Updated: September 22, 2023
By Daily Passport Team
Author
Daily Passport Team
Daily Passport writers have been seen in publications such as National Geographic, Food & Wine, CBC, Condé Nast Traveler, and Business Insider. They're passionate about uncovering unique destinations and sharing expert tips with curious travelers.
As the seat of government, capital cities are filled with history and significance, and they are often seen as a symbolic representation of a country itself. So it’s not often that countries change their capitals, and when they do, they have a compelling reason to do so — whether it be a more centralized location, the need for newer infrastructure, or political motivations. Other times, a newly independent country chooses an interim capital while plans are established for a permanent seat of government. From Brazil to the United States, discover why the following six countries have relocated their capitals.
As the cultural hub of Brazil, the sprawling coastal city of Rio de Janeiro was the nation’s official capital for nearly 200 years. Unfortunately, it was also crowded, with congested roadways that made it difficult to travel to the administrative buildings spread across the city. This issue was amended in 1960 when the country officially relocated the capital to Brasília — a city that was designed specifically for its purpose as the governing seat. Engineers, architects, and city planners worked together to create a capital city that was beautiful to visit and effortless to navigate, with numbered blocks and divided sectors for hotels, embassies, and banks. The capital of Brasília is such an achievement of modern architecture that it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
Rangoon (also known as Yangon) was the capital of Myanmar (also known as Burma) for over 50 years — from the time the independent country was established in 1948 until the mid-aughts. But on November 6, 2005, something strange occurred. The country’s military rulers decided to switch the seat of the government with no explanation. Government employees and civil servants had to suddenly move 200 miles from Rangoon to Pyinmana, a town primarily known for its logging and sugarcane refinery. The town of Pyinmana was renamed Naypyidaw, which remains the capital to this day, and is described by many as a ghost town. Purportedly, nearly a million people live in the city’s capital, but with empty highways and city streets, some believe that number to be false.
From 1929 to 1991, Almaty was the capital of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. Once Kazakhstan gained independence from the Soviet Union, this southeastern city remained the capital for six more years. In 1997, the decision was made to move the capital elsewhere; Astana was unveiled as the new capital of Kazakhstan one year later. Officials revealed that they believed Almaty’s earthquake-prone location to be too volatile for a capital city, although President Nursultan Nazarbayev revealed that he hoped the move would stimulate the northern region’s economic wealth. Astana literally translates to the word “capital,” which was a fitting name, until it was changed to Nursultan in 2019, after Kazakhstan’s first president, who remained in office for 19 years.
Before 1991, the coastal metropolis of Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, had long been the country’s capital. It was first declared the capital in 1914 when Nigeria was under British rule, and it remained so after Nigeria’s independence in 1960. Over time, however, government officials found it unsuitable as a capital city, particularly because Lagos was hot, crowded, and filled with political upheaval. As a result, government officials began developing a new capital north of Lagos during the 1980s. This city was called Abuja, and in addition to being in a more centralized location, it was located in neutral territory in regards to the country’s various religious and ethnic groups. The open land also provided abundant room for expansion. Abuja was officially named the new capital of Nigeria on December 12, 1991, although a few government offices remain in the original capital city of Lagos.
When Bolivia became independent in 1825, Sucre was named the country’s official capital city. Named for the revolutionary leader Antonio José de Sucre, the city was chosen due to its proximity to silver mines, which was the country’s chief industry at the time. However, when the mines dried up in the late 1800s, all the workers moved to the city of La Paz, located 250 miles to the north. As it was closer to the tin mines, La Paz’s economic importance grew, and it eventually became the seat for the executive and legislative branches of the government. Despite this, Sucre remains the seat for the government’s judicial branch and the official capital, even though La Paz is the country’s de facto capital.
Everyone knows Washington, D.C., to be the capital of the United States, but that wasn’t always the case. The first U.S. capital was New York City, and it was there that President George Washington took office in 1789. A year later, Philadelphia was chosen as the nation’s interim capital from 1790 until 1800, while Washington, D.C., was being built. The precise location of Washington, D.C., was chosen by President Washington himself — he staked out a spot along on the Potomac River, and the land was ceded from both Maryland and Virginia. However, the general location of the nation’s capital was a compromise between two well-known nemeses — Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. The deal resulted in Hamilton getting the federal government to take on debts from the Revolutionary War. At the same time, Jefferson negotiated a southern capital city, which was a more convenient location to Monticello, his plantation home in Virginia.
Advertisement
More from our network
Daily Passport is part of Inbox Studio, an email-first media company. *Indicates a third-party property.
Geography •September 18, 2023•Updated: September 18, 2023
By Julia Hammond
Author
Julia Hammond
Julia is a U.K.-based travel writer whose work has been featured in The Independent, The Telegraph, The New Zealand Herald, and Culture Trip, among others. She’s an enthusiastic advocate for independent travel and a passionate geographer who has had the privilege of traveling to more than 130 countries in search of a story.
Geographers define an island as a mass of land that is both entirely surrounded by water and smaller than a continent. As Australia is the world’s smallest continent, measuring about 3 million square miles, it can’t be classified as an island. There are an estimated 900,000 official islands on the planet. While some countries share an island, such as Hispaniola (split between the Dominican Republic and Haiti), others have one or more all to themselves. Let’s take a look at the world’s nine largest islands.
Great Britain, the United Kingdom’s largest island, measures 80,823 square miles, making it the ninth-largest island on the planet. The U.K. is formed of four nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Though the name Great Britain is often used interchangeably with the U.K., it actually contains only three of its nations — Northern Ireland is part of the island of Ireland, which is considerably smaller at 32,595 square miles. The British Isles have an even broader scope, incorporating 6,000 smaller islands. These include the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Both are Crown Dependencies, meaning that they are self-governing, with their own legislative assemblies and separate administrative, fiscal, and legal systems.
Located in Canada’s Arctic Archipelago, Victoria Island boasts an area of 83,896 square miles. The island — named for Queen Victoria of Britain — is split between Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Very few people live here thanks to its remote northerly location and harsh climate. The two largest settlements include Iqaluktutiaq (Cambridge Bay) in Nunavut and Ulukhaktok in the Northwest Territories. Together, their permanent population numbers around 2,100 people. Victoria Island covers slightly more area than Canada’s third-largest island, Ellesmere, also in the Arctic Archipelago and the tenth-biggest on the planet at 75,767 square miles.
The island of Honshu is the largest of Japan’s 14,125 islands. Indeed, with an area of 87,992 square miles, Honshu is huge compared to most of the other Japanese islands. The centrally located and densely populated island is home to Tokyo, Japan’s capital and the largest city on the planet, with over 40 million people living in its metropolitan area. A mountainous spine runs along Honshu; it is home to Mount Fuji and also the Japanese Alps. Honshu is also home to the former Japanese capitals of Kyoto and Nara, as well as important commercial and industrial hubs such as Osaka and Nagoya.
Covering 171,069 square miles, Sumatra is the second-largest of the Greater Sunda Islands, a group of four islands in the Malay Archipelago (the largest group of islands in the world). The island’s landscape features a mix of active volcanoes, lush rainforest, beaches, and Southeast Asia’s largest lake, Danau Toba. A slew of national parks, some of them UNESCO-listed, are home to significant populations of wildlife such as elephants, tigers, and orangutans. The island is also ethnically and culturally diverse. In the north, Aceh is largely settled by Muslim communities. Christian Batak speakers can be found in the highlands, while the Minangkabau form the majority in West Sumatra..
At 195,928 square miles in size, Canada’s Baffin Island can be found in the northern reaches of the territory of Nunavut. Like Victoria Island, it’s sparsely inhabited, with just 11,000 people calling the island home, although human presence on the island dates back more than three millennia. Until a recent drop in the 1990s, the island’s population of caribou had vastly outnumbered the island’s people. The majority of the population is Inuit and lives in the island’s capital city of Iqaluit, which was founded in 1942. During World War II it served as a refueling point for American aircraft heading to Europe.
The next largest island on our list is biodiverse Madagascar, the fourth-largest on the planet. Most famous for its ring-tailed lemurs and its baobab trees, Madagascar has a broad spectrum of habitats encompassing spiny thicket, mangroves, and forested mountain slopes. Its climate is ideal for growing vanilla. The 224,533-square-mile island — a little smaller than Texas — lies off the coast of southeastern Africa in the Indian Ocean. It detached from mainland Africa around 165 million years ago. This left a legacy of unique flora and fauna: An estimated 95% of Madagascar’s reptiles, 92% of its mammals and 89% of its plants can only be found here. Some of these are critically endangered, such as the silky sifaka (a type of lemur) and the ploughshare tortoise.
The world’s third-largest island, Borneo is located in Southeast Asia’s Malay Archipelago and covers an area of 292,000 square miles. Like Sumatra, the island is part of the Greater Sundas Island Group. The Indonesian region of Kalimantan covers approximately 73% of Borneo’s area; the rest is split between East Malaysia and the tiny nation of Brunei. Borneo is known for its biodiversity, beautiful beaches, and vast swathes of jungle. Wildlife species such as the proboscis monkey and the Borneo pygmy elephant can only be seen on this island. The Malaysian city of Kota Kinabalu serves as the island’s gateway for visitors.
Split between the nations of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, this 303,381-square-mile island just north of Australia has been home to humans for more than 40,000 years and was colonized at various times by the British, Dutch, and Germans. Today, the western side of New Guinea belongs to Indonesia, and the eastern half comprises the independent country Papua New Guinea. Most of the island is mountainous and covered in rainforests. The island is rich in both plant life and wildlife, particularly reptiles, marsupials, and birds, both flightless and tropical. Among the highlights is the world’s largest butterfly, the Queen Alexandra birdwing (also known as the birdwing butterfly) — its wingspan can reach nearly a foot wide.
With an area of 836,330 square miles, Greenland is by far the world’s largest island. Greenland is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark but was granted home rule in 1979 and has had its own parliament since then. With a permanent ice sheet that covers 75% of the country, and a population of just under 60,000 people, Greenland is the least densely populated territory in the world. The primary industry is fishing, which accounts for 90% of the island’s exports.
Advertisement
More from our network
Daily Passport is part of Inbox Studio, an email-first media company. *Indicates a third-party property.
Beneath the Streets of Paris: Discovering a Hidden World of Catacombs
By
Nicole Villeneuve
Read time: 6 minutes
September 18, 2023
Updated: September 18, 2023
Beneath the Streets of Paris: Discovering a Hidden World of Catacombs
History •September 18, 2023•Updated: September 18, 2023
By Nicole Villeneuve
Author
Nicole Villeneuve
Nicole is a writer and researcher with over 15 years of experience seeking out arts, culture, and lifestyle stories in places like remote northern Quebec and the unforgettable streets of Amsterdam. Her work has also appeared in PureWow, Brit + Co, AUX TV, and CBC.
Though many visitors to Paris are drawn to iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, beneath the city’s bustling streets lies a hidden world that holds important pieces of the city’s past. The Catacombs of Paris — originally quarries dating back to the Roman era — are an extensive network of tunnels beneath the city that became a solution to Paris’ overcrowded cemeteries in the 18th century, housing the remains of some 6 million Parisians. Over the years, this unique underground site played a part in the French Revolution and World War II, served as a link in the food chain, and today, has become a secret playground for the adventurous. Discover the fascinating history of one of the City of Light’s most unique attractions with this in-depth guide to the Catacombs of Paris.
Approximately 45 million years ago, the site of modern-day Paris was submerged underwater, leaving sediment that, over time, turned to limestone. When Romans occupied the banks of the Seine River and founded the settlement of Lutetia around 52 BCE, they dug open-pit quarries and used the rock for monuments and other structures. Over time, these quarries were abandoned — but not forever.
By the Middle Ages, Paris was expanding, and its development once again relied heavily on the limestone from the quarries. By that time, they snaked far underground in networks that totaled over 200 miles of subterranean tunnels. As the city continued to grow, mining moved to the outskirts. The Paris mines, abandoned once again, began to pose structural risks to the urban landscape.
In December 1774, a stretch of street almost 1,000 feet long collapsed, taking homes and buildings with it. To stabilize the hollow grounds and save more of the city from sinking, King Louis XVI hired architect Charles Axel Guillaumot to inspect, map, and stabilize the quarries. Ceilings were raised, walls were reinforced, and even more tunnels were dug to connect the existing networks. It was a major undertaking, but Guillaumot and his team’s work underneath the city streets was far from finished.
By the mid-1700s, the Les Halles neighborhood of Paris faced a particularly disturbing issue. The largest cemetery in the city — the nearby Holy Innocents cemetery (also known as Saints Innocents) — had run out of space for the deceased. Overcrowded and often shallow graves caused corpses to resurface, exposing the living to not only unwelcome sights and smells but also the potential spread of disease.
In 1763, King Louis XV attempted to slow the overcrowding by banning burials within the city. However, resistance from the Catholic Church hindered any further progress in dealing with the growing public health problem. The issue lingered for years before coming to a head in 1780. After heavy spring rains destroyed a portion of a wall around Les Innocents, decomposing corpses spilled onto nearby properties. King Louis XVI closed the cemetery for good — it was now crucial that the city find a solution.
In the wake of the cemetery crisis, the city decided to rehome its former residents’ remains in the empty underground quarries. Beginning in 1785, the bones from Holy Innocents’ tombs, mass graves, and charnel house were moved through a mine shaft in the Tombe-Issoire region to the new ossuaries located 65 feet underground. The remains were transported discreetly, primarily at night, to avoid public outcry and further church opposition.
The process of transferring remains from various cemeteries continued over the following years. They were deposited by wagon into quarry wells, and quarry workers loosely organized them within the underground galleries. (Later, under the leadership of Paris mine inspector Héricart de Thury, they were rearranged into the artful displays seen today.) During the French Revolution, bodies were even buried directly underground. The transfers from the city’s cemeteries continued throughout the 1800s; remains ceased being moved into the ossuaries in 1860.
Though the new underground graveyard was formally dubbed the Paris Municipal Ossuary in 1786, the site adopted its now-iconic name shortly after, drawing inspiration from the Roman catacombs. In total, the remains of 6 to 7 million individuals were methodically moved to their final resting place in the Catacombs of Paris.
For at least as long as the Catacombs have been open to the public, the site has been the subject of mystery and intrigue. Over the years, myths and legends about secret societies, talking walls, and missing people have circulated, contributing to the allure of this eerie historical site.
One enduring tale involves the fairly recent discovery of a video camera. In 2010, the device was found with footage from the 1990s of a man who became lost while wandering through the tunnels. Another legend suggests that a man named Philibert Aspairt haunts the Catacombs. In 1793, he was working as a hospital doorman during the French Revolution when he allegedly disappeared into the catacombs without a trace.
The mazes of tunnels have also been a hiding spot for the French Resistance during World War II, a brewery, a mushroom farm, a Hollywood movie set, and the site of illegal dinner parties, concerts, and film screenings. In 2015, vacation home rental company Airbnb even offered a Halloween night stay in the ossuary.
While the Catacombs of Paris initially opened to the public in 1809 by appointment only, today they’re one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, welcoming over 500,000 visitors every year. Tickets can only be purchased online, up to seven days in advance and by reserving a specific time slot.
The entrance to the Catacombs can be found in a small, green building at Place Denfert-Rochereau. To start, you’ll descend 131 steps, then proceed with a 15-minute walk to the ossuary. As you make your way through the dimly lit, narrow hall, you’ll be able to see street names, sculptures, and historical information, before finally making it to the remains, which are artfully arranged into several sections of awe-inspiring skeleton sculptures. The tour lasts about an hour, after which you’ll walk back up 112 stairs to resurface on Avenue René-Coty.
The Catacombs are kept at a constant temperature of 57 degrees Fahrenheit. It is recommended to dress in light layers that can be carried easily if need be (there is no coat check). Due to the small, dark, and damp nature of the space, the Catacombs are not wheelchair accessible and are not recommended for people with motor ability constraints, cardiac or respiratory issues, or for pregnant individuals. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult, and no strollers can be taken in.
And of course, touching the bones is expressly forbidden. They’re not only fragile — but they are also human remains, not decorations, and warrant respect and care. Indeed, the Catacombs and its inhabitants are a testament to the history and geology of Paris and a reminder of the transience of life. A visit should be on every tourist’s agenda.
Advertisement
More from our network
Daily Passport is part of Inbox Studio, an email-first media company. *Indicates a third-party property.
Have You Visited These Incredibly Tiny Buildings and Landmarks?
By
Julia Hammond
Read time: 5 minutes
September 18, 2023
Updated: May 28, 2024
Have You Visited These Incredibly Tiny Buildings and Landmarks?
Architecture •September 18, 2023•Updated: May 28, 2024
By Julia Hammond
Author
Julia Hammond
Julia is a U.K.-based travel writer whose work has been featured in The Independent, The Telegraph, The New Zealand Herald, and Culture Trip, among others. She’s an enthusiastic advocate for independent travel and a passionate geographer who has had the privilege of traveling to more than 130 countries in search of a story.
Many of us are fascinated by the world in miniature, which helps explain the enduring appeal of tiny tourist attractions such as Mini Europe in Brussels, Belgium, and Tobu World Square in Nikko, Japan. But there are also many examples of small-scale buildings and landmarks that have appeared organically, developed for residential or commercial purposes. Love a bite-sized building? Here are five of the best incredibly tiny buildings and landmarks that you should seek out on your travels.
Though it only measures 72 inches across, 122 inches high, and 120 inches deep, the Smallest House in Great Britain is hard to miss. Painted bright red, it sits on the quayside at 10 Lower Gate Street in the historic town of Conwy, Wales. The cozy abode has room for a single bed, a fireplace, and a coal bunker. Its original 16th-century owner saw an opportunity presented by a small gap between two existing rows of cottages and filled it in.
The house had a succession of residents until 1881, when a fisherman named Robert Jones (who, incredibly, was 6 feet, 3 inches tall) became its last inhabitant. It was declared unfit for human habitation in 1900, but Jones wasn’t going to give up “the Smalls,” as it was affectionately known, without a fight. After a long campaign to save it, the Guinness Book of World Records officially recognized it as Britain’s Smallest House. It remains in the same family to this day, operating as a social history museum.
Tucked out of sight and buried beneath a manhole cover near the real Washington Monument is the Washington Mini Monument. Forty-four times smaller than the real thing, the tiny replica served an important purpose during construction of the Washington Monument, as a benchmark for surveyors keeping an eye on its structural integrity. The replica stands just 12.5 feet tall, compared to the 555-foot Washington Monument, which was once the tallest building in the world after its completion in 1888.
If you’re wondering what the Mini Monument is doing underground, it’s because it stands on what was once ground level. The hill we see today took shape a few years afterwards, so landscapers encased the obelisk within a brick well and covered it over. It was revealed to the public for the first time in 2019.
Canada’s Smallest Library – Cardigan, Prince Edward Island
Despite its diminutive size, Canada’s smallest library — located in the small fishing village of Cardigan on Prince Edward Island — attracts a steady stream of tourist traffic. Established by a local resident named John MacDonald, this fully functional literary landmark measures just 11.5 feet across. Somehow, it manages to squeeze in a collection of around 1,800 books, which visitors can borrow on an honor system. Alternatively, an annual membership costs just $5 CAD. Though it’s not recognized by Guinness World Records, a similar organization, the World Record Academy, considers it the smallest library in the world.
If you thought Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid was small, then you might want to manage your expectations when visiting the Little Prince Statue in Chisinau, Moldova. Standing about 4.5 inches tall, it’s the smallest statue in the city. The statue depicts a character created in the early 1940s by French writer and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in his children’s book of the same name.
In the story, a pilot crashes in the desert and encounters the Little Prince, who tells him to follow his heart to discover life’s true meaning. Moldovan artist Igor Udushlivy, who was captivated by the tale, noticed the similarity between the iron balls that topped the fence surrounding the lake in Valea Morilor Park and the planets illustrated in the story. Inspired, he created an art installation that places the Little Prince on top of his home planet, Asteroid B-612. It’s easy to miss if you don’t know to look out for it, but a delightful find if you do.
Billing itself as the smallest church in America, Memory Park Christ’s Chapel is located in Townsend, Georgia, off Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 17 in McIntosh County. A tiny church has stood on this spot since a local grocer named Agnes Harper commissioned it in 1949. The current building, however, is less than a decade old, as it was reconstructed thanks to community fundraising efforts following an arson attack on the original building. Measuring just 10 feet by 15 feet, the church boasts stained glass windows imported from the U.K. Regular non-denominational services are held regularly, and visiting worshippers are welcome at any time.
However, it’s not the only place to claim the title of America’s smallest church. Another tiny place of worship is the Cross Island Chapel in Oneida, a town located near Syracuse, New York. Built in 1989, this white clapboard building floats on a jetty in the middle of a pond. It seats only two people as its dimensions are just 51 inches by 81 inches. Anyone who can’t fit inside has to remain in a boat, as happened for a 1990 wedding.According to Time magazine, the chapel was only big enough for the happy couple and the minister who married them.
Advertisement
More from our network
Daily Passport is part of Inbox Studio, an email-first media company. *Indicates a third-party property.
Beyond the Parks: 7 National Park Sites to Visit Instead
By
Fiona Mokry
Read time: 5 minutes
September 18, 2023
Updated: September 21, 2023
Beyond the Parks: 7 National Park Sites to Visit Instead
Outdoors •September 18, 2023•Updated: September 21, 2023
By Fiona Mokry
Author
Fiona Mokry
Fiona has spent her career exploring the world and working in the travel industry, turning her lifelong passion into a profession. From planning custom trips to sharing stories as a travel writer for publications such as The Discoverer, she’s all about helping others experience the world in a deeper, more meaningful way.
There are 63 national parks across the U.S., and chances are you can probably name a good number of them — from Yellowstone to Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains, and Death Valley. But there are also hundreds of other protected areas that fall under the U.S. National Park System, which include National Historic Sites, National Monuments, National Seashores, and National Recreation Areas. If you’re looking to get off the well-traveled national park trail and explore the many other natural and historic preserves in the U.S., start by adding these seven fascinating national park sites (that aren’t national parks) to your travel wish list.
One of only three national lakeshores in the country, the 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline that make up the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore were once relatively undiscovered. While the secret may be out — partly thanks to a 2011 Good Morning Americacontest that deemed it the “most beautiful place in America” — the park is no less stunning than before, filled with pristine beaches fringed by dense forests, a lighthouse-dotted shoreline, and giant sweeping sand dunes.
The park, established in 1970, gets its name from a particular sand dune that once resembled a sleeping bear and is a sacred landmark for the Anishinaabe peoples. Climbing the dunes, biking and driving the scenic trails, and tubing or kayaking on Lake Michigan are all popular activities for the 1.5 million annual visitors to the national lakeshore.
Cutting through the wild and rugged Ozark Mountains, which cover nearly 50,000 square miles of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri, Buffalo National River was established in 1972 as the country’s first official national river. One of the last remaining undammed rivers in the U.S., the Buffalo National River flows for 135 miles through untouched wilderness that is home to a wide variety of wildlife — including 55 species of mammals, 250 species of birds, and 59 species of fish. The national river offers canoers and kayakers an epic waterscape of churning rapids and calm pools. Hiking is also a big draw, as are the many camping sites found along the river’s banks.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park – Maryland
The 185-mile Chesapeake & Ohio Canal once served as an important route for transporting coal, lumber, and agricultural products from western Maryland to Washington, D.C., as well as an essential means of transportation for the communities along the Potomac River. Today, remnants of the canal’s significance can still be seen in over 1,000 preserved structures such as lockhouses and aqueducts. A cruise down the meandering waterway is a wonderful way to not only admire the natural scenery of the Potomac River Valley but also delve into the transportation history of the region. Established in 1971, the C&O Canal today is the most visited national historical park in the country, attracting over 4 million visitors annually.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park – Texas
History buffs can brush up on early U.S. colonial history at the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Although it was more recently inscribed on the UNESCO list in 2015, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park was established in 1983 to preserve four of the original frontier missions built by Spanish settlers in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries along the San Antonio River. Here, you can learn about the colonial history of South Texas and how the Indigenous population was Christianized by the settlers. The remains of Missions San José, San Juan, Espada, and Concepción are located within a few miles of one another, and renting a bicycle is a great way to hop from site to site and explore the ruins.
Located in the Gulf of Mexico off southern Mississippi and eastern Florida, the Gulf Islands National Seashore comprises a group of seven barrier islands that offer an abundance of natural resources and several sites of historical significance. It is not only the largest national seashore in the National Park System but also the eighth-most visited national park site in the country, attracting 5.7 million visitors in 2022.
Accessible only by boat, the park offers visitors the chance to walk along windswept white-sand beaches, explore nature trails, spot an array of flora and fauna, and see 19th-century fortifications and historic lighthouses. As you might expect, water activities are plentiful, with opportunities to enjoy the warm turquoise waters via scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and fishing.
Klamath Wild and Scenic River – Oregon and California
Part of the National Wild and Scenic River Program since 1981, the Klamath River flows for 257 miles through Oregon and Northern California. The river is known primarily for its population of salmon, which have long sustained the Indigenous communities who live along the river. The Klamath is home to several important fish species, including chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead trout, coastal cutthroat trout, green and white sturgeon, and Pacific lamprey.
Open year-round for recreational use, the national park site attracts visitors with a myriad of recreational opportunities, from camping to fishing, non-motorized boating, white-water rafting on Class II to Class V rapids, swimming, and floating. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails cross the rugged region and offer access to lakes, surrounding peaks, and the famous Pacific Crest Trail.
Alcatraz Island has sparked public interest for decades, thanks in part to Hollywood movies — such as The Rock, Murder in the First, and Escape From Alcatraz — that tell captivating tales of convicted felons and daring escapes from this infamous former maximum security prison. But the history of Alcatraz runs much deeper.
When Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala sailed into San Francisco Bay in 1775, the 22-acre rocky isle, located 1.5 miles off the coast, was a prosperous pelican habitat. The island took its name from the Spanish word alcatraces, which meant pelican or strange bird. It later became the site of California’s first lighthouse in 1854. A military base was erected in 1859 which later served as a residence for military offenders. After defending California from Confederate forces during the Civil War, the island served as a federal prison from 1934 to 1963. In 1973, the island was officially opened for tourism, and today over 1.5 million people visit annually.
Advertisement
More from our network
Daily Passport is part of Inbox Studio, an email-first media company. *Indicates a third-party property.
6 U.S. Beach Towns That Are Just as Great in the Off-Season
By
Daily Passport Team
Read time: 6 minutes
September 15, 2023
Updated: September 15, 2023
6 U.S. Beach Towns That Are Just as Great in the Off-Season
Outdoors •September 15, 2023•Updated: September 15, 2023
By Daily Passport Team
Author
Daily Passport Team
Daily Passport writers have been seen in publications such as National Geographic, Food & Wine, CBC, Condé Nast Traveler, and Business Insider. They're passionate about uncovering unique destinations and sharing expert tips with curious travelers.
The long, warm summer days may be gone, but the good news is so are the crowds from America’s most popular coastal towns. And you don’t have to let the cooler weather stop you from soaking up the fantastic food, interesting architecture, nature activities, and cultural events that these scenic destinations have to offer. Discover a new way to fall in love with these six U.S. beach towns in the off-season.
Mystic — located on the east end of Connecticut’s coast — is a quintessentially charming New England town rich in maritime history. Founded in 1654, the city was a hub of shipbuilding in the era of clipper ships. The Mystic Seaport complex, the largest maritime museum in the country, includes a collection of historic clipper ships and sailboats across dozens of preserved period buildings. Beyond boats, the complex offers stunning Mystic River views, charming gardens, a working shipyard, and a living history coastal village that will transport you back to the 19th century.
All that said, Mystic may still be best known for Mystic Pizza, the iconic 1980s film starring Julia Roberts. Well, movie fans will be happy to know that Mystic Pizza is a real, memorabilia-filled pizzeria — and a delicious one at that. While downtown, you’ll have plenty more charming eateries and shops to choose from. And don’t miss the fantastic views of the century-old Mystic River Bascule Bridge, which swings upward each hour for boat traffic below.
Asbury Park, on the Jersey Shore, is famous for launching the career of Bruce Springsteen, and maintains a thriving music scene with iconic venues such as the Stone Pony and Asbury Lanes. Bruce is still known to stop by for impromptu performances, but the city also hosts everything from legacy musicians to upstart punk bands, as well as Sea Hear Now, an annual music and surf-culture festival at the end of September. Events continue throughout winter and early spring, culminating in April with the Asbury Park Music + Film Festival and RunAPalooza, which includes multiple running and relay events for athletes from all over the country.
Beyond Asbury Park’s stages, the city has enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance in recent years, with new boutique hotels, quirky shops and galleries, and an impressive array of restaurants that offer old-school Italian options, Korean tacos, and, of course, terrific seafood. Asbury Park’s boardwalk is also a must-see. You’ll find the usual soft serve, taffy, and souvenir tee shirts, as well as historic architecture, palm reading, fusion food, and the Silverball Museum Arcade, a time capsule of vintage arcade games.
Seaside, located on Florida’s panhandle on the Gulf Coast, served as the picture-perfect backdrop in the film The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey. The town’s charm is no accident: Seaside is a planned community that prioritizes pedestrian travel and a neighborly feeling, thanks to narrower streets, front porches, and spaces to gather. Plus, winter in Seaside is mild, ideal for exploring the town’s sandy alleys, native plantings, open spaces, and — of course — white sand beaches.
Seaside is centered around a town plaza, and its buildings primarily feature southern-coastal architecture in soft, pastel colors. The architecturally significant beach pavilions and Seaside Chapel are worth visiting, as is Airstream Row, a collection of independent food vendors in iconic Airstream trailers.
The artsy town also is home to a delightful collection of boutique shops, galleries, and eateries famous for Florida seafood, Southern staples, and over-the-top pastries. A weekly farmer’s market, an amphitheater, and a repertory theater group offer ongoing events. Plus, the off-season is peppered with marathons, wine festivals, and the Annual 30A Songwriters Festival in January — when the town hosts dozens of musicians to fundraise for a local non-profit art organization.
Sea Ranch, a small Pacific coast city at the north end of California’s Sonoma County, is another planned community. Founded in the 1960s as an eco-utopia resort on former grazing land for sheep, Sea Ranch is known for unfussy homes that blend into the area’s breathtakingly rugged coastline.
While Sea Ranch is popular year-round, there’s something special about visiting post-summer. Sonoma’s famous wineries harvest their grapes in early fall, so it’s a great time for area tastings and festivals. And as autumn progresses, the vines turn maroon and orange, echoing the area’s aspen trees and creating some incredible photo opportunities.
Of course, superb food and wine abounds in and around Sea Ranch, but the main draw of this 10-mile strip is nature. Six public trails meander along the cliffs and hillsides, occasionally surprising dedicated hikers with incredible views of the ocean. Some trails offer access to untouched inlets and beaches ideal for seashell collecting, birding, and whale watching. Humpback whale migration occurs in November and December, as the giant mammals travel south, and again in March and April, which coincides with the area’s spring wildflower bloom.
The town of Nantucket, on the island of the same name, is about 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts’ Cape Cod. The island’s population swells from 11,000 to over 50,000 people during the summer. And for good reason, since the former fishing village is endlessly charming, with gorgeous sand dunes as a backdrop for its cedar-shingled homes and cobblestoned streets.
But there’s a lot to love about off-season Nantucket, as well. The whaling museum is a must-visit for maritime history buffs, and fishing and lobstering excursions and scenic boat tours are available well past Labor Day. Come fall, you can enjoy the rare combination of beautiful beaches and stunning fall foliage. In October, a cranberry festival celebrates the island’s famous harvest. November brings peak leaf-peeping season and the Thanksgiving morning Cold Turkey Plunge, when swimmers gather to take an icy dip in the ocean.
Cannon Beach, on the Oregon coast northwest of Portland, often sees dramatic weather in the fall and winter — but that’s part of what makes it so alluring. Visitors can expect surreal sunrises and sunsets, roaring ocean waves, sunshowers breaking to reveal spectacular rainbows, and otherworldly mists hugging the shoreline.
Beyond the storms, Cannon Beach is a well-known destination for the arts, home to numerous art galleries and abundant live music. All that art culminates each November with the Stormy Weather Arts Festival, when visitors can enjoy live musical performances and wander among several galleries admiring art.
Nature lovers won’t want to miss the top-notch wildlife sightings here, including resident bald eagles, a local herd of elk that often ends up grazing in area parks or on beaches, or the incredible migration of up to 20,000 gray whales passing through the area each December and January. And, for a holiday escape, Cannon Beach goes all-out with a special lamp-lighting ceremony, winter concerts, charming winter decorations, and plenty of independent shops to search for gifts.
Advertisement
More from our network
Daily Passport is part of Inbox Studio, an email-first media company. *Indicates a third-party property.
7 of the Largest Oktoberfest Celebrations That Aren’t in Germany
By
Daily Passport Team
Read time: 5 minutes
September 15, 2023
Updated: September 15, 2023
7 of the Largest Oktoberfest Celebrations That Aren’t in Germany
Culture •September 15, 2023•Updated: September 15, 2023
By Daily Passport Team
Author
Daily Passport Team
Daily Passport writers have been seen in publications such as National Geographic, Food & Wine, CBC, Condé Nast Traveler, and Business Insider. They're passionate about uncovering unique destinations and sharing expert tips with curious travelers.
Each autumn, Oktoberfest welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to Munich, the capital of Germany’s Bavaria region, for two weeks of beer drinking, bratwursts, folk dancing, and lederhosen. Though the celebration is now world-famous, it all began with the festivities for a royal wedding in 1810. Munich, of course, still hosts the original Oktoberfest to this day, but other cities around the globe put their own spin on the Bavarian tradition. Here are seven of the best Oktoberfests to visit outside of Germany.
In late September, the twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo join forces for not only the biggest Bavarian festival in Canada but also the largest Oktoberfest celebration outside of Germany. The inaugural Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest kicked off in 1969, when patrons consumed an incredible 57,000 gallons of beer and 50,000 pounds of sausages.
It’s now become an 18-day event with more than a dozen family-friendly event halls (festhalle in German) and beer gardens spread throughout the two towns. Locals come dressed in lederhosen and dirndl dresses to enjoy activities such as barrel racing and a Miss Oktoberfest pageant. The festival coincides with Canadian Thanksgiving (the second Monday in October) and includes the country’s largest Thanksgiving Day parade.
Craft beer aficionados head to the Mile High City year-round to sample artisanal and experimental brews at dozens of brewpubs, microbreweries, and taprooms. But during the last two weekends of September, it’s time for German beer-drinking customs to take center stage at Denver Oktoberfest.
The festival, which began in 1969, features pop-up venues spread all across the city. Alongside abundant ales and German fare, there’s keg bowling, sausage eating, and stein hoisting competitions. Judges keep an eye on everyone’s outfits, too, and hand out awards for the best dressed attendees. The first weekend of Oktoberfest coincides with Denver Beer Week, so the city is literally swimming in beer and beer-centric activities.
The moment you set foot in Frankenmuth, Michigan, the city’s German connections are obvious. Bavarian-style buildings line Main Street and serve as breweries, chocolate shops, hotels, and even a cuckoo clock store. It’s fitting that this city nicknamed “America’s Little Bavaria” puts on an annual beer festival, Frankenmuth Oktoberfest, which has even gained recognition from across the pond. (Lord Mayor Christian Ude of Germany gave the event an official blessing in 1996.) Frankenmuth was also the first city in the U.S. to import beer from the historic Munich brewery Hofbrauhaus in 1997.
Each September, Midwestern beer lovers flock to Heritage Park for steins of pilsner, pretzels, schnitzels, and dancing at a replica German beer hall. Those planning on staying for a few extra days can continue on the German beer trail at the 150-year-old Frankenmuth Brewery and the Frankenmuth Historical Museum.
Harvest Haus – Vancouver, Canada
For one weekend in October, the PNE Forum events venue in Vancouver’s Hastings Park becomes a place of non-stop beer drinking and European harvest traditions. Drinkers at Harvest Haus can choose from more than 25 European craft beers, wines, and spirits to fuel their merriment. Paired with the beer are seasonal dishes and Oktoberfest classics, such as schnitzel and spaetzle, and an oompah band brings German sounds to the party. The Stein Olympics at Harvest Haus also offers sporting entertainment — including axe throwing, beer pong, darts, and giant Jenga.
Brits are known to enjoy their beer, so boisterous Bavarian beer parties aren’t out of place in the United Kingdom. London Oktoberfest features multiple weekends of revelry from early October to mid-November. The events take place at three citywide venues and welcome over 50,000 guests. Revelers can find beer tents with long communal tables and waiters and waitresses dressed in the iconic blue and white colors of Bavaria. There are also special family and Halloween days, when guests are encouraged to join the party dressed in costume. Otherwise, the rest of the time, almost everyone comes in dirndls and lederhosen, chilly British weather be damned.
A German chemist and pharmacist named Hermann Otto Blumenau founded the city of Blumenau in southeastern Brazil in 1850. Today, the city’s German heritage is proudly displayed each fall at one of the world’s largest Oktoberfest festivals. First held in 1984, Oktoberfest Blumenau welcomes over 500,000 guests. Events kick off with a parade and beauty pageant on XV de Novembro Street, which is notable for its replica Bavarian landmarks.
The beer-chugging, bratwurst-feasting fun then moves to Villa Germanica Park, a square also surrounded by Bavarian buildings. Serious beer drinkers can enter the Chope em Metro contests, in which participants try to down a meter-tall glass of beer without spilling a drop. While here, it’s worth visiting the Beer Museum Blumenau to learn how the city grew to become Brazil’s capital of beer.
America’s largest Oktoberfest is held every September on the riverfront of Cincinnati, Ohio. Oktoberfest Zinzinnati first took place in 1974 and now draws more than half a million people each year. It’s a colorful showcase of Southwest Ohio’s German heritage, as German immigrants were among the first to settle the city in the late 1700s. Visitors can expect typical Bavarian food and beer provided by Samual Adams and local craft breweries. It all comes with a soundtrack of oompah music from Cincinnati’s finest German-American bands, regional musicians, and karaoke.
Among the festival’s major highlights is the Running of the Wieners, when one hundred dachshunds compete in a race while dressed in hot dog costumes. The course is only 75 feet long, but the owners and dogs take the 10 heats and final seriously. To top off the festivities, there are also beer barrel rolling and stein carrying contests.
Advertisement
More from our network
Daily Passport is part of Inbox Studio, an email-first media company. *Indicates a third-party property.
Do You Know the Hidden Meanings Behind These National Flags?
By
Bennett Kleinman
Read time: 5 minutes
September 13, 2023
Updated: September 13, 2023
Do You Know the Hidden Meanings Behind These National Flags?
History •September 13, 2023•Updated: September 13, 2023
By Bennett Kleinman
Author
Bennett Kleinman
Bennett is a New York City-based staff writer for Daily Passport. He previously contributed to television programs such as the Late Show With David Letterman, as well as digital publications like the Onion. Bennett has traveled to 48 U.S. states and all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums.
Flags are a proud symbol of national identity. Their vibrant palettes and intricate designs often possess a deep cultural meaning. For example, the distinct panels of the many tricolor flags around the world have historic and religious ties, while emblems such as Canada’s red maple leaf correspond to a country’s economy and natural beauty. The backstories behind some national flags may be more straightforward, but the design of others may be slightly more ambiguous without a helpful explainer. Below, discover the hidden meanings behind eight national flags.
The flag of Nepal is the only national flag with a non-quadrilateral shape, with two triangular pennants stacked atop one another. The dual triangles not only represent the pointed peaks of Nepal’s sacred Himalayan mountains, but also the country’s two primary religions: Hinduism and Buddhism.
The coloring of Nepal’s flag features a deep red interior surrounded by a blue border. The red represents the color of the country’s national flower, the rhododendron, as well as the fierce resolve of its people as well as victory in war — in contrast to the blue border, which is the color of peace. The Nepalese flag also features a white moon emitting eight rays and a white sun emitting 12 rays. These symbols have connections to past Nepalese dynasties, and they express hope that the country will last as long as those celestial bodies.
The Brazilian flag features a green border containing a yellow diamond, which itself contains a blue circle adorned with white stars. The green and yellow represent past regional dynasties — the green denotes the House of Bragança, which ruled over Brazil from 1822 to 1889, while the yellow honors the European House of Habsburg. It’s said that Brazilian emperor Pedro I’s wife — a descendant of the Habsburgs — suggested the yellow color to honor her heritage.
Meanwhile, the flag’s blue circle and its stars symbolize the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere as seen from Rio de Janeiro on November 15, 1889 — the day that Brazil became a republic. Those 27 stars also represent the individual states of Brazil. Lastly, the blue orb is adorned with the slogan Ordem e Progresso, which translates to “Order and Progress,” the foundational elements of Latin American democracy.
The Mexican flag features a tricolor design of green, white, and red panels. The green symbolizes Mexican independence, the white represents the Roman Catholic religion, and the red denotes Mexican unity. These are the three basic principles established as part of the “Three Guarantees” of Iguala, an agreement that allowed Mexico to gain freedom from Spain in 1821.
The flag of Mexico also features an intricately designed emblem at its center. It showcases an eagle with a snake in its beak standing over a cactus, reflecting the rich culture of the Aztec peoples who once inhabited the region. The design is said to represent a vision that the Aztec founders of the ancient city of Tenochtitlan saw back in 1325.
The Malaysian flag is similar to that of the United States, containing 14 red and white horizontal stripes. Thirteen of those stripes represent the individual states of Malaysia, whereas the fourteenth stripe honors the Malaysian government as a whole. The flag also features a blue square in its upper left corner, which is meant to reflect the unity of the Malaysian people. Inside that square are a yellow crescent moon and a 14-pointed star. Yellow is considered the color of royalty in Malaysia, and the coloring of the flag pays homage to past Malay rulers. The shapes themselves are reflective of Islam, the country’s official religion.
The flag of the United Kingdom is one of the world’s most recognizable national emblems, but many people might not know the meaning behind its design. Nicknamed the “Union Jack,” the U.K. flag consists of three heraldic crosses overlaid atop one another. These joint crosses are meant to convey the unification of separate nations under one kingdom in 1707.
The red cross represents St. George, the patron saint of England, and includes both the countries of England and Wales. The patron saint of Scotland, St. Andrew, is represented by the color blue and a white “X.” Lastly, St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is represented by a red “X.” All three of these distinct crosses combine to form the tricolor British flag.
The South African flag contains six colors, making it one of the world’s most colorful flags. The black, green, and gold colors are shared with the banner of the African National Congress, while the remaining three colors were inspired by the flag of the South African province of Transvaal.
South Africa’s national flag was adopted in 1994 to commemorate the country’s post-Apartheid era. The government made it clear that no individual group is represented by any one color. Instead, the colors serve a more abstract purpose to signify the harmony of different racial groups without calling out any specific ones in particular. The shape of the flag’s design, however, does have a specific meaning — its Y-shape symbolizes converging paths and the merging of the country’s history with its present.
Greece’s national flag features only two colors: blue and white, which are the country’s national colors. The blue symbolizes the Greek skies, whereas the white honors the purity of the Greek quest for independence. The design of the flag also holds significance. A white cross in the upper left corner pays homage to the country’s Eastern Orthodox religion. The nine alternating blue and white stripes represent the total number of syllables in the country’s national motto, “Freedom or Death,” as written in the Greek language.
First proposed in 1921, the Indian flag initially had deep religious meaning, incorporating the colors of the Hindu and Muslim peoples to form a two-color flag that was bisected horizontally. But after reviewing the proposal, independence leader Mahatma Gandhi suggested adding a third white horizontal line in the center. This additional white line represented the diversity of the country’s various religious communities.
However, upon official adoption of the flag, all religious meaning was stripped away. Instead, the colors were reattributed to represent bravery, harmony, and faith. The national flag of India also features a blue wheel with 24 spokes at its center known as the Ashoka Chakra. The spokes of this “wheel of time” represent the principles of life and also reflect each hour of the day.
Advertisement
More from our network
Daily Passport is part of Inbox Studio, an email-first media company. *Indicates a third-party property.
Take in the View From 6 of the World’s Tallest Sea Cliffs
By
Bradley O'Neill
Read time: 5 minutes
September 13, 2023
Updated: October 12, 2023
Take in the View From 6 of the World’s Tallest Sea Cliffs
Outdoors •September 13, 2023•Updated: October 12, 2023
By Bradley O'Neill
Sea cliffs are steep, often vertical faces of rock and soil that rise above coastlines. They are created by geological actions such as sea erosion — when waves relentlessly crash against the shore, the base of a cliff erodes progressively until a distinct sheer face appears. Weathering forces the process to repeat itself, thus causing the sea cliff to retreat over time. Dramatic to look at and a photographer’s dream, sea cliffs also provide natural habitats to hundreds of species of flora and fauna around the world. Below, explore six of the tallest sea cliffs on the planet.
Slieve League (also known as Sliabh Lag) is home to some of the tallest sea cliffs in Europe, soaring nearly 2,000 feet over Ireland’s northwest Atlantic coastline in County Donegal. Visitors can drive almost all the way to the main lookout over the cliffs, Bunglas Viewpoint, and take in stunning views of Donegal Bay, Rathlin O’Birne Island, and the so-called “Giant’s Chair and Desk” — which, according to folklore, belonged to the giant Finn McCool.
Hikers can also explore routes such as One Man’s Path and Pilgrim’s Path. They cross land once traversed by Christian pilgrims, who consider the cliffs to be sacred. Be sure to stop by the Slieve League Cliffs Centre to learn about local history and legends or arrange a guided tour of the area.
Just a few hundred feet taller than Slieve League, Croaghaun boasts the tallest sea cliffs in Ireland. They occupy the northern side of Croaghaun Mountain, which towers over the western edge of the remote and windswept Achill Island. The vertical rock faces stretch for around 11 miles along the island’s Atlantic coastline.
Part of the mysticism that surrounds Croaghaun is that the cliffs are only accessible by foot or boat. A hike to the top takes between two and five hours, depending on the route and individual fitness levels. Keem Beach marks the start of the shortest (yet still challenging) trail. The reward for reaching the summit are views of the nearby Benmore cliffs, Achill Head promontory, far-reaching deep blue seas. Many include a stop here while journeying on the Wild Atlantic Way, a popular 1,600-mile coastal tourism trail.
Qingshui Cliff is a layered rock formation consisting of marble and gneiss, a high-grade metamorphic rock. It’s the tallest of a 13-mile-long stretch of sea cliffs that hug Taiwan’s Pacific shores within Taroko National Park. In 1953, the breathtaking cliffs were designated as one of Taiwan’s “Eight Wonders.”
One of the best ways to appreciate this area is to drive along Suao-Hualien Highway, which features vegetation-clad cliffs on one side and a sheer drop into the Pacific Ocean on the other. Scenic lookouts provide the chance to stop and appreciate the enormity of the cliffs, which reach nearly 2,500 feet above the sea. Another option is to walk the short Chongde Trail to more observation points and spot the lithophyte plants that grow in the cracks and crevices along the way.
For intrepid explorers, a hike to the summit of Cape Enniberg is at the top of the list of adventures in the remote and rugged Faroe Islands, a territory of Denmark. Carved over centuries by the wind and rain, this enormous volcanic sea wall marks the northernmost tip of both Viðoy Island and the Faroes archipelago.
A full-day journey to the cliffs starts with a hike up 2,759-foot Mount Villingadalsfjall, the islands’ third-tallest peak, before continuing to the edge of Cape Enniberg. The soaring heights and surrounding icy waters will make you feel as if you’re at the edge of the world. Those who prefer a more laid-back visit can experience the cliff and island on a boat tour departing from Klaksvik, on the neighboring island of Borðoy.
Looming over the vast fjords and islands of Norway’s southwestern coastline, Hornelen is the tallest sea cliff in Europe. Historically utilized as a navigational point for passing ships, the imposing landmark is also associated with Norwegian folklore, which says that witches gather here for the summer solstice and to rest when traveling to nearby Bloksberg mountain. Another legend states that King Olav Tryggvason once scaled the entire rock face unaided.
Traditionally, the route to the summit was via a demanding hike across moorland and rocky terrain. However, the new Hornelen Via Ferrata, which opened in 2023, now offers guided tours climb to varying heights of the cliff. Whichever adventure you choose, you’ll get wondrous views of Norway’s emblematic fjordland.
According to the Guinness World Records, the world’s highest sea cliffs are found on the northern coastline of Hawaii’s Molokai island. The Kalaupapa Cliffs form part of the Kalaupapa National Historical Park, an area of jaw-dropping scenery that includes everything from volcanic craters and crater lakes to lush valleys and rain forests. The cliffs themselves appeared between 1 to 1.5 million years ago, when a northern portion of the island gave way and fell into the sea.
Once reachable via mule rides, sections of the cliffs today are accessible on self-guided tours. Visitor numbers are controlled to protect the park residents, who are the descendants of a Hansen’s disease colony banished to the Kalaupapa Peninsula by King Kamehameha V. Less than 10 miles to the east are the Haloku Sea Cliffs, the site of some of the tallest waterfalls in the U.S.
Advertisement
More from our network
Daily Passport is part of Inbox Studio, an email-first media company. *Indicates a third-party property.
Outdoors •September 13, 2023•Updated: April 17, 2025
By Jersey Griggs
Author
Jersey Griggs
Jersey is a travel and lifestyle writer whose work has appeared in publications such as Condé Nast Traveler, Business Insider, and Bust. When she’s not exploring her adopted home state of Maine, she’s likely planning her next big trip.
You may know that the U.S. is home to 63 national parks, but what country has the most national parks? The answer lies Down Under, in Australia, and the number of parks there may surprise you. But no matter what part of the world you travel to, protected lands allow visitors to experience a country’s natural beauty, wildlife, and biodiversity in one fell swoop. When it comes to conservation efforts, the following countries surpass all others, with some of the best national parks in the world.
Venture to the “Land of the Midnight Sun” and you’ll have 41 national parks at your disposal — not to mention 24 hours of sunlight if you visit in the height of summer. An hour’s drive from Helsinki, Nuuksio National Park, one of Finland’s most popular parks, offers hiking trails, lakes, and camping sites. Further north in sparsely populated Lapland, the country’s largest and northernmost region, you’ll find a bevy of national parks known for their arctic wilderness.
Home to rainforests, savannas, caves, and tepuis (flat-topped mountains), Venezuela boasts incredible biodiversity across its 43 national parks. The country’s most famous national park, Canaima National Park, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to the legendary Angel Falls — the world’s tallest waterfall — and the 115 tepuis found throughout the park.
Established in 1937, Venezuela’s oldest national park is Henri Pittier National Park, which has 500 bird species and cloud forests at high elevations. To see the largest population of the rare nocturnal oilbird, head to Cueva del Guácharo National Park, an elaborate cave system that stretches for 6 miles underground.
Like many countries on this list, Chile is a treasure trove for adventure seekers, and each of Chile’s 46 national parks — covering roughly 20% of the country’s area — is different from the next. The most well-known park is Torres del Paine in the Patagonia region in southern Chile. The park’s striking turquoise lakes, granite spires, and glaciers make it a popular spot among trekkers from around the world.
Located 2,200 miles off the Pacific coast of Chile, Rapa Nui National Park on Easter Island is famous for the mysterious Moai statues. In the Atacama Desert, travelers will find the unusual combination of penguins and cacti within Pan de Azúcar National Park’s unique ecosystem.
The Great White North has 37 national parks and 11 national park preserves that extend from coast to coast. In Canada’s Maritimes region, Fundy National Park boasts the highest tides in the world, while the grassy dunes and red sand beaches at Prince Edward Island National Park are straight out of Anne of Green Gables. (Indeed, P.E.I. was the setting for the classic novel.)
On the west coast, Canada’s Pacific Rim National Park Reserve has a rainforested coastline known for its frequent whale sightings. To the north, Auyuittuq National Park is home to glaciers and polar bears, while world-famous favorites like Banff National Park (the country’s first national park, established in 1885) and Jasper National Park provide unforgettable experiences in the Canadian Rockies.
From fjords to glaciers, Arctic tundra, and snowy peaks, Norway’s network of national parks showcases a jaw-dropping array of natural landscapes. Of Norway’s 48 national parks, 41 are on the mainland and seven are located in the Svalbard archipelago, a small group of remote islands above the Arctic Circle.
Some of the country’s best wildlife spotting can be found in Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park, where wild musk oxen range alongside reindeer and arctic foxes. Meanwhile, Lofotodden National Park provides a mixture of dramatic seascapes and mountain vistas in the Lofoten Islands, and the country’s highest mountains, Galdhøpiggen (8,100 feet) and Glittertind (8,045 feet), are in Jotunheimen National Park.
11. Turkey (tie)
Credit: Алексей Облов/ Moment Unreleased via Getty Images
Number of parks:48
With 48 national parks to choose from, Turkey has almost everything an outdoorsy traveler could want. On Turkey’s western coast, the Dilek Peninsula is home to white-sand beaches and pine forests, providing access to hiking trails with views of the nearby Greek Islands.
For a taste of the mountains, Aladağlar Milli Parkı contains four climbable peaks, lush valleys, and an abundance of waterfalls and glacial lakes. Köprülü Kanyon Milli Parkı also draws adventure seekers, with opportunities to white-water raft, rock climb, and traverse the historic St. Paul Trail, a 300-mile route that follows the route St. Paul the Apostle took on his first missionary journey to Anatolia.
The archipelagic nation of Indonesia is home to an estimated 18,100 islands and islets. With so many islands to explore, Indonesia’s national parks help to narrow down the options. Adventure seekers should head to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, a volcanic region with mountain summits, horseback riding, and an exotic “sand sea.”
To spot the world’s largest reptile in its natural habitat, Komodo National Park — established in 1980 in Indonesia’s first group of national parks — is composed of three different islands, all with numerous hiking paths to search for the park’s eponymous Komodo dragon.
Thanks to decades of conservation efforts, Colombia now has 59 national parks and protected areas, adding up to 77,220 square miles. The country’s diverse landscape — from the Andes mountains to tropical rainforests and the Caribbean coastline — means that no two parks are the same.
Situated on the coast, Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona is a slice of paradise, with sandy beaches and swaying palm trees. Further inland, Los Nevados National Park provides a more rugged experience in Colombia’s coffee-growing region. Home to natural hot springs, an active volcano, and a hummingbird sanctuary, this high-altitude region provides no shortage of outdoor activities.
America’s National Park System is vast, with a total of 423 national park sites — a distinction that includes historic sites, monuments, seashores, and recreation areas. Of these sites, only 63 are designated national parks. (Several of these, such as Gates of the Arctic and Denali, are jointly classified as national parks and preserves.)
As to be expected for the world’s largest country by area, Russia’s national park system is extensive. Situated in the remote Kamchatka Peninsula, Nalychevo Nature Park contains mineral springs, snow-capped mountains, and wild rivers, making it a coveted destination for anglers. The aptly named Land of the Leopard National Park is home to an estimated 80 Amur leopards, one of the rarest big cat species on Earth. South of Moscow, Sochi National Park is one of the most-visited national parks in Russia, with waterfalls, caves, and the Black Sea coastline.
Spread throughout 23 states, Mexico’s national parks are notable for their biodiversity. Located off the Baja Peninsula, Cabo Pulmo National Park was described by French naval officer and author Jacques Cousteau as “the aquarium of the world.” The 27.5-square-mile marine protected area is home to sea turtles, tropical fish, and one of the oldest coral reefs in North America.
In Cañón del Sumidero, spider monkeys and crocodiles live within the confines of the park’s rainforest canyon. To fully experience the park, book a river float down the Grijalva River, which formed the canyon’s dramatic cliffs millions of years ago.
As the largest country in South America, Brazil’s landscape is incredibly diverse. Located in the state of Ceará, Jericoacoara National Park contains no roads — only sandy paths that meander between the park’s stunning white sand beaches, exotic dunes, and inland lakes. In Brazil’s southern region, Aparados da Serra National Park is an outdoor playground for eco-travelers. Home to the mesmerizing Itaimbezinho Canyon, the park is known for its dramatic views, staggering waterfalls, and rainforest hiking trails.
With 81 national parks and a further 400 sites designated as nature reserves, Israel’s national park system covers approximately 20% of the country. Of these parks, Masada National Park, established in 1966, is perhaps the best known. Overlooking the Dead Sea, the archeological site welcomes tourists who climb to see where the Judea rebels fought the Romans in 73 and 74 CE. Near the Sea of Galilee, the Hula Nature Reserve is one of the only wet habitats in the Middle East. It’s home to eucalyptus groves, water buffalo, and thousands of birds who stop for water on their migratory routes.
India’s protected lands offer something for everyone. Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park is a famous wildlife sanctuary and one of the best spots to see tigers in the world. Visitors can tour the former hunting ground on a Jeep safari in search of tigers, birds, and reptiles. Situated between Bhutan and Nepal, Khangchendzonga National Park draws adventurous trekkers who come to climb Kanchenjunga, the third-tallest summit in the world at 28,169 feet above sea level.
Thailand’s national parks range from the picture-perfect coastlines to wild inland jungle. Lauded as one of the best diving sites in the world, the Similan Islands park contains a protected coral reef, while Khao Sok National Park is home to caves, tropical forests, and floating accommodations. Along the Burmese border, Kaeng Krachan is the country’s largest national park, covering 1,125 square miles. It’s an ideal playground for naturalists hoping to spot the park’s varied wildlife, including leopards and sun bears.
Home to a whopping 726 protected sites, Australia is the country with the most national parks. The nation’s public lands cover 13.5 million square miles, equal to roughly 4% of the country’s total land mass. With so many parks to choose from, travelers can take their pick between jaw-dropping views at Great Otway National Park, turquoise bays at Cape Le Grand National Park, or the famous 4.4-billion-year-old rock monolith, Uluru, at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Advertisement
More from our network
Daily Passport is part of Inbox Studio, an email-first media company. *Indicates a third-party property.
