7 Mysterious and Unknown Places in the World: From the Blood Waterfall to the Forest with Crooked Trees

Bermuda Triangle
The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil’s Triangle, is an astonishing area in the North Atlantic Ocean where airplanes and ships disappear without a trace. However, disappearance is not considered a given in this region, as many planes and ships safely pass through it every day, which means there's no evidence to support the idea that something extraordinary occurs there.
The idea that this area is a unique and prone point for disappearances arose in the mid-20th century, but most credible sources reject this mysterious concept. Before the use of GPS systems, compasses were the primary navigation tools, and the compass was one of the reasons cited for incidents in the Bermuda Triangle. Many theories suggested there could be unusual magnetic anomalies in the region that could never be found. The compass has a magnetic inclination and can sometimes cause errors. The Bermuda Triangle is also located near the magnetic north pole, a fact sailors have known for centuries.

For example, in 2000, U.S. sailors traveling along the Wisconsin line ended up in the Gulf of Mexico, which is often misinterpreted as a mysterious phenomenon. Another scientific explanation for this phenomenon is the Gulf Stream, a deep-sea current originating from the Gulf of Mexico and flowing into the North Atlantic Ocean through the Florida Strait. In fact, there is a river beneath the ocean that can carry floating objects. The flow of this current is 2.5 meters per second. One of the most important explanations for the disappearance of ships and planes is human error.

Crooked Forest, Poland
The Crooked Forest (Krzywy Las) is home to 400 pine trees that grow crookedly, with 90-degree bends at the base of each tree, all leaning toward the north. The trees' trunks are shaped like the letter 'C'. No one knows why the trees in this forest have grown in such a way, though many theories exist. The most convincing explanation is that the trees grew initially but were buried under heavy snow during their sapling phase. Others believe the trunks were altered by the gravitational pull of the region. The forest is located near the town of Gryfino. One theory suggests that forest rangers intentionally bent the trees between 1925 and 1928, possibly to make curved furniture. They prevented the trees from growing straight by bending them when they were 10 years old. The trees were likely abandoned after the start of World War II in 1939.

Blood Falls
Blood Falls is an unconventional site in Antarctica. Its water is extremely salty. In 1911, Australian geologist Thomas Griffith Taylor stumbled upon this waterfall while exploring a valley in Antarctica. Over the past century, many hypotheses have been proposed to explain this strange phenomenon. Now, a team of scientists believes they have found the answer: the presence of tiny iron-rich nanospheres, as well as silica, calcium, aluminum, sodium, and other elements. These amorphous nanospheres are not considered minerals and were largely overlooked in previous analytical methods. The iron in the nanospheres oxidizes, turning the water flowing in Blood Falls red. Other elements such as chlorine, magnesium, and sodium might contribute to the orange hue in some areas.

Area 51
Area 51 is a highly classified military base located 130 kilometers northwest of Las Vegas, United States. It is said to be used for testing advanced flight systems and highly classified weaponry. The U.S. federal government officially recognizes it as part of Edwards Air Force Base. However, its nature, missions, and objectives remain unknown, and the identity and number of its staff are also undisclosed. The U.S. government has released very little official information about the base, and like many military bases in the country, its purpose is unclear. Entry or approaching the base, either by land or air, is prohibited, which has fueled numerous conspiracy theories and rumors about the area. Claims about UFOs and extraterrestrial research being conducted there have been made, although none have been proven. However, more reasonable speculations suggest it is used for testing modern aircraft and weapons. In a declassified CIA document from August 2013, the agency acknowledged the existence of a test facility named "Area 51" which had been the subject of curiosity for decades.

Nazca Lines
The Nazca Lines are a series of lines found in the Nazca Desert, located between the towns of Nazca and Palpa in Peru, about 80 kilometers away from each other. These lines are drawn in geometric shapes and feature over seventy figures resembling insects, animals, and humans. The area covered by the lines is roughly 500 square kilometers, and the largest figures are approximately 270 meters long. These lines have remained intact due to the dry conditions, low wind, and stable weather in the Nazca region. Some theorists believe that ancient people couldn't have created such lines with primitive tools and attribute the lines to extraterrestrial beings. In 1985, archaeologist Johan Reinhard published archaeological, ethnological, and historical evidence showing that mountain worship and other water-related rituals were important in the economy and religion of Nazca people throughout history.

Island of the Dolls
The Island of the Dolls is a small island located in a network of canals south of Mexico City. The island is filled with disturbing and numerous dolls hanging from trees. According to an old legend, a little girl drowned in the waters surrounding the island, and her body was found by a man named Julian, who lived alone in the forest. After finding the girl's doll nearby, Julian hung it on a tree in her honor. Over time, more and more dolls were added to the trees in an effort to calm the girl's spirit. Julian continued to collect and hang dolls for over 50 years until his death in 2001. His body was found in the same spot where he had previously discovered the girl's body.

Fiery Falls
The Fiery Falls, located in Yosemite National Park in the United States, are not made of lava but are a normal waterfall that, during sunset, appears to flow with glowing volcanic lava. The "Horsetail" Falls is a seasonal waterfall that flows in winter and spring, reaching a height of 650 meters. The waterfall flows at certain times of the year, typically early winter and early spring. For the waterfall to appear fiery at sunset, the sky must be clear so that sunlight can directly reach the waterfall.