Back to a series of images from United States. One of the most recognized natural landscape images – entrance to the valley in Yosemite National Park in California. The iconic Half Dome sandwiched between El Capitan on the left and Bridalveil Fall on the right.

Designated a World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, lakes, mountains, glaciers, and biological diversity. Almost 95% of the park is designated wilderness.

The name “Yosemite” (meaning “killer” in Miwok) originally referred to the name of a renegade tribe which was driven out of the area (and possibly annihilated) by the Mariposa Battalion. Before then the area was called “Ahwahnee” (“big mouth”) by indigenous people.

Yosemite Valley Entrance