Uluru Ayers Rock in Australia

Uluru Ayers Rock in Australia

A sacred site of the local Aboriginal tribes, Uluru (named Ayers Rock by European colonists) is a natural landmark of Australia that has come to represent the nation and its native ancestry. Made up primarily of sandstone, the rock has a reddish appearance, which often varies at sunrise and sunset. The rock protrudes 348 meters (1,142 feet) high, and has a circumference of about 9.4 kilometers (5.8 miles).

While some visitors make the steep climb up to the top of Uluru, which takes about an hour, the Aboriginal people of the region prefer that visitors walk around the sacred site, rather than climb it. Guided walks are available around the landmark, on which visitors can learn about the various sites and rock art.