Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States

Yellowstone National Park is a national park located in the western United States, specifically in the state of Wyoming, with small portions extending into Montana and Idaho. It was established on March 1, 1872, as the world's first national park, and it covers an area of approximately 3,468 square miles (9,000 square kilometers). The park sits atop a volcanic hotspot where magma from deep beneath the Earth's surface heats up groundwater, producing the park's famous geothermal features.

The park is home to a diverse range of geothermal features, including Old Faithful, hot springs, and geysers. Yellowstone Lake, the largest high-altitude lake in North America, is situated within the park, along with the Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States. The park's unique geology is characterized by its location over a mantle plume, which is a column of hot, buoyant rock that rises from the Earth's core to its surface.

Yellowstone National Park is renowned for its abundant wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, elk, and moose. The park's diverse ecosystems support over 2,000 species of plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. The park's natural beauty, unique geological features, and rich biodiversity make it a popular destination for tourists and a significant area for scientific research.

The park's significance extends beyond its natural features, as it also holds cultural and historical importance. Yellowstone has been home to numerous Native American tribes for thousands of years, and it contains many archaeological sites and artifacts. The park is managed by the National Park Service, which works to preserve its natural and cultural resources for future generations.