Australia

The Sydney Opera House may be the country's most recognizable landmark: thanks to the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and the world-renowned prestige of the Opera House's shows, this anomalous structure is known even to those who haven't been Down Under. Visit the "About the House" section of the SOH's homepage to see a timeline, with pictures, of the house's design, development, and building, which spans decades, beginning in 1947.

Next, visit the "Image Bank" page to see dozens of photos of the house, interior and exterior, including a photo op during the Queen's visit in 2006.

But just how did it get to look this way? It’s the creativity behind the Sydney Opera House that makes it stand out, and for that we have Jørn Utzon to thank. This Copenhagen native began designing the SOH in 1957. Read more about him from Great Buildings Online.

No image of Sydney Harbor is complete without the background of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, which connects central Sydney with the up-and-coming sprawl of North Sydney. The Harbor Bridge offers climbs to its summit, with jaw-dropping views of Sydney and the surrounding coastal areas. Check out the photos under "The Bridge" tab for pictures from the top.

The bridge is located in The Rocks, another trendy part of Sydney known for great restaurants, bars and hotels. At The Rocks' official site, view a live Web cam of the Sydney Harbor area.

Steps away from the Bridge and the Opera House are Sydney’s Botanic Gardens. Head over to their site to see pictures of this spectacular microcosm of flora and fauna (fruit bats, frequently seen hanging from their nests in palm trees, are particularly fond of the Gardens). While you’re at it, browse the pages to learn more about the Mount Annan and Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens. Mount Annan is near Lake Gilinganadum in New South Wales, Sydney's home state, and Mount Tomah is in the Blue Mountains, also in New South Wales.