![]() ![]() Related: In photos: 'Most beautiful lakes' discovered beneath Aegean Sea It is famous for its rugged landscape, towering cliffs displaying distinct and colorful geologic layers, volcanic beaches, romantic sunsets and 360-degree view of the deep-blue Aegean Sea. Situated in the southern Aegean Sea and forming the southernmost of the Cyclades group of islands, Santorini is a volcanic island located 120 miles (200 km) southeast of the Greek mainland. The caldera is the remnant of the ancient island of Thera, now called Santorini. ![]() But these particular houses, along with those of Fira's sister city Oia, are perched impossibly on the ridge of a caldera and command a bold, panoramic view of the surrounding Aegean Sea. ![]() The whitewashed, blue-capped houses of the Greek village of Fira are typical of the many picturesque villages of modern-day Greece. During warmer periods, the glaciers retreated, giving the fjord its unique geography and configuration.įira town on Santorini island, Greece (Image credit: Shutterstock) (opens in new tab) As the glaciers coalesced, flowing down from the South Island's Southern Alps mountain range, they made deep cuts in the surrounding landscape. Several fern species live in the environment, including the silver fern ( Alsophila dealbata), another one of New Zealand's most iconic plants.Īs is the case with all fjords, Milford Sound was formed as the result of glacial activity occurring over several million years. Ferns, however, are among Milford Sound's most common plants. Beech ( Nothofagus sp.), an iconic tree of the Southern Hemisphere, is ubiquitous, but equally profuse are other trees, such as the podocarp ( Podocarpus sp.), or native conifer, and the kahikatea ( Dacrycarpus dacrydioides), or white pine, which can reach heights of 196 feet (60 m). Mosses, lichens and ferns thrive in the wet environment and grow in abundance. It is one of the wettest places on Earth, receiving an estimated average yearly rainfall of 22 feet (7 m). Buttressed by towering sheer cliffs and high mountain peaks, several of which soar to heights of 3,940 feet (1,200 meters), Milford Sound is a unique ecosystem. Beginning at a small village, also called Milford Sound, the fjord zigzags through a lush, green environment for nearly 10 miles (16 km) before opening into the Tasman Sea, situated between Australia and New Zealand. Milford Sound is the crown jewel of New Zealand's Fiordland National Park, which is the largest of the island nation's 14 national parks, according to the New Zealand Department of Conservation. ![]()
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