Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile 13 May 2025

Wildlife roams freely in one of Chile"s most stunning protected areas, where towering peaks and ancient glaciers shape the land. Established on this day in 1959, Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia turns 66 years old today and covers over 448,000 acres. Originally called Grey Lake National Tourism Park, it was renamed in 1970 and later designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. Its most recognisable feature—the three massive granite peaks known as the Torres—stands over 2,500 metres tall. These formations took shape through magma intrusion and uplift, followed by millions of years of glacial erosion, leaving behind the jagged spires seen today.

© Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Tis the season for travel
Solo on the savanna
13 May 2024Fish River Canyon, Namibia

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Get ready for the blood moon
6 Sep 2024Glenariff Forest Park, Northern Ireland, UK
13 Feb 2024Pancake Day
A Balearic islet
4 Apr 2025National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, DC, United States
Poetry in suspense
24 Oct 2025Night view of the RMS Queen Mary, Long Beach, California, United States
A smooth landing, feet first
12 Jul 2024Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA
21 Feb 2025Champaka Sarasi, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India
20 May 2024World Bee Day
Here we go!
18 Dec 2023Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA
8 Aug 2025Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
13 Apr 2024Grand National
15 Apr 2025World Art Day
18 Mar 2024Elephant Rock, Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia
30 Aug 2024International Whale Shark Day
World Population Day
1 Jan 2025Happy New Year!
28 Feb 2024Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England
30 Sep 2023Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA
10 Sep 2025Hay bales in North Yorkshire, England
Nap your worries away
Night outside the museum
13 Dec 2023Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands, Norway
Looking sharp
Heavenly hot springs
8 Jan 2025Great Wall of China
Santa slalom