Seven New Wonders

• Chichen Itza - Mexico
• Christ the Redeemer - Brazil
• Great Wall of China - China
• Machupicchu - Peru
• Petra - Jordan
• Roman Colosseum - Italy
• Taj Mahal - India

Useful Resources

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The Highlands

Majestic Mountain Towering over Verdant Forests, with Unique Trails and Opportunities for Recreation, Games and Outdoor Activities

The verdure and majestic heights of the Highlands span eastern Oklahoma, southern Missouri, western and northern Arkansas, and the southeast extremity of Kansas. It is one of the most favorite natural sites for many Americans. The Ozark Eco region which is located in Arkansas, the Ouachita National forest which occupies parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas, the Ozark – St. Francis National Forest, also in Arkansas, and the Missouri located Mark Twain National Forest promise verdant vistas and crisp air, as well as unforgettable trails and diverse fun-filled outdoor activities.

The charm of the Ozark – St. Francis National forest in Arkansas is that it comprises two separate forests which are different in biology, topography, etc. The area offers 23 camp grounds as well as 9 swimming areas. Fishing opportunities abound in the streams. The total of hiking trails amounts to 395 miles. The Ozark National Forest offers 1,200,000 acres of picturesque mountains, with highlights such as Mount Magazine and the Blanchard Springs Caverns. In the south, the forest lines the valley of the Arkansas river. The over 500 species of trees include oak and hickory. For keen hikers there is the Ozark Highlands Trail, offering 165 miles for enjoyable hiking, and several multiuse trails, including some wheelchair accessible ones and trails for canoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding, all terrain vehicles. The other part, the St Francis National Forest in eastern Arkansas, includes 22,600 acres long the Mississippi. Located mostly on Crowley’s Ridge, it descends along the Mississippi and St Francis river. There are no vast recreational opportunities here, but those for fishing are splendid, with two large lakes, the Bear Creek Reservoir and the Storm Creek Lake, being the home to large fish populations.

Finally, the Mark Twain National forest, covering about 1,490,870 acres, is located in southern Missouri and boasts Greer Spring, the largest one in any national forest. Follow the Glade Top Train National Scenic Byway to enjoy mountain beauty and views extending to the Boston Mountains in Arkansas. Summer recreation activities in the famous Missouri outdoors are delightful. The Eleven Point River, meandering through southern Missouri hills among steep bluffs and forested valleys, is gem of the area. But, of course, there are much more gems here than we think. Some of them are hidden and some of them are like the Highlands.