by Simon Coates
In the 23rd century, holidays are as popular as ever amongst the population. With Mars and the Moon being colonised, there are now many places for people to visit. From the initial Seven Wonders of the World on Earth, we now have the Ten Wonders of the Solar System, which include sites on Mars and the Moon. They are as follows:
Yellowstone National Park, USA, Earth
Yellowstone became the first national park in 1872, and over four hundred years later, still enthrals and fascinates people who visit today. Unique across the solar system for the diversity of wildlife and unique geographical features, including most famously the fabulous range of hot water geysers.
Black Forest, Germany, Earth
Huge forest area in Germany, one of the most popular areas for people wanting a peaceful holiday. It is the location for Ultra Natural group, who live life as naturally as possible, doing away with modern methods and technologies.
Olympus Mons, Mars
The largest peak in the known universe, Olympus Mons stands head and shoulders above any other natural wonder on Mars and anywhere else for its sheer size. With a summit over 14 miles from the ground, and 600 kilometres in diameter, Olympus Mons stands three times higher than Mount Everest on Earth. There is a permanent base for scientists to study the volcano at the summit. Visitors are advised to consider the unique atmosphere on the upper slopes of Olympus Mons before travelling there, where temperatures are below minus fifty degrees and the air unbreathable the higher you go. Automobiles require special modification to tyres and other parts to enable them to cope with the extreme conditions there.
Valles Marineris, Mars
Extending to a simply incredible 3,000 kilometres long, 30 kilometres across and up to 8 kilometres deep, this is the largest canyon known in the solar system, far larger than the Grand Canyon on Earth. Various viewing points and tourist places are dotted along the whole area offer spectacular views of this amazing natural wonder.
Lake District, England, Earth
The Lake District is an area in north-west England, popular with people wanting a holiday in a place to ‘get away from it all’. Features multiple hills (known locally as 'fells'), forest and diverse wildlife. Many villages remain there as they were many centuries ago, with the population upholding many traditions unique to the area.
Human landing sites on the Moon and Mars
In 1969 Neil Armstrong was the first human to set foot on the Moon, and a little over a quarter of a millennium later, Sergy Abramov did the same on Mars. The sites these men visited and laid the first human footprints down have become protected areas, which tourists can go and visit. The actual footprints themselves are preserved on the very ground they were created on.
Amazon rainforest, Earth
The biggest forest on Earth, the Amazon rainforest was under serious threat during the early part of the 21st century due to deforestation until protected by law. Today, the forest is preserved as a magnificent natural wilderness. Popular with people who want a peaceful holiday within nature.
Various lunar craters on the Moon
The Moon is littered with impact craters which are the result of meteorite impacts which pelted the lunar surface. Each crater is named and is a protected site, and is of great interest for people studying the history of the Moon.
Galapagos Islands, Pacific Ocean, Earth
Became famous as the main study place of Charles Darwin, which formed the basis of his theory of evolution in the 19th century, which is still seen as a hugely important study today, nearly 500 hundred years later. The islands themselves became a protected site after human activity placed a lot of the unique animal species under threat. Today, with the population made up of researchers and natural history scientists, human interference is no longer a factor, guaranteeing the future of the islands as a nature paradise. The numbers of tourists are strictly limited, making a visit to the islands a rare privilege for a lot of people.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Earth
The largest reef system in the world. The reef system was yet another natural wonder that may not have existed past the 22nd century if the human population had continued the way it had. Thankfully, due to measures to protect it from erosion and the effects of pollution, the great reef can be once again enjoyed by many people.
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