The Rio Tinto, in Andalusia, Spain, gets its strange color from dissolving iron deposits in the highly acidic water. Beginning more than 5,000 years ago, this area was mined for gold, silver, and other treasures. And archeological evidence suggests that about 3,000 years ago this may have been the site of King Solomon’s legendary mines. Scientists believe that pollution from the mines contributed to the extreme ecological conditions we see in the Rio Tinto today.
The otherworldly red river
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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The birth of Bauhaus
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Deep in the North Woods wetlands
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Flying high on National Bird Day
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Dog days of summer
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Albion Falls, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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A bridge too Fawr
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Ardez, Graubunden, Switzerland
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An Alpine fairy-tale castle
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Mid-Autumn Festival
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Aurora borealis
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Is that a buzzing sound?
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Beech trees and wild anemones, Jutland, Denmark
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’Chess on ice’
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Happy Holi!
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The Badlands celebrates a milestone
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Meandering through Patagonia
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St. Patricks Day
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Jamaica celebrates its independence
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San Francisco’s City Hall illuminated by the iconic colors of Pride
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Road to Hana, Maui, Hawaii
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International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, Harbin, China
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International Day for Biological Diversity
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Here, fishy!
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Splashes of color for Watercolor Month
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Happy Panda Day!
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Belgium celebrates its independence
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Glacier cave in Iceland
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Summer winds down in the Hamptons
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National Museum of African American History and Culture
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International Kissing Day
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

