NatGeo: "Bodies" Fill Underwater Sculpture Park

More than 400 of the permanent sculptures have been installed in recent months in the National Marine Park of Cancún, Isla Mujeres, and Punta Nizuc (map of the region) as part of a major artwork called "The Silent Evolution." The installation is the first endeavor of a new underwater museum called MUSA, or Museo Subacuático de Arte.

Created by Mexico-based British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, the Caribbean installation is intended to eventually cover more than 4,520 square feet (420 square meters), which would make it "one of the largest and most ambitious underwater attractions in the world," according to a museum statement.

In doing so, Taylor hopes the reefs, which are already stressed by marine pollution, warming waters, and overfishing, can catch a break from the approximately 750,000 tourists who visit local reefs each year.

"That puts a lot of pressure on the existing reefs," Taylor told National Geographic News. "So part of this project is to actually discharge those people away from the natural reefs and bring them to an area of artificial reefs."

Published January 5, 2011 for National Geographic: Daily News

Lonely Planet: The 10 best things to do in 2011

Punctuate this year with meaningful experiences. Choose from options that girdle the globe – from cricket bats and birthday parties to sobering memorials or a copy of Led Zeppelin IV. Here are the 10 best things to do next year, fresh from Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2011.

1. Hug a tree in the Amazon
2. Cricket in India and Sri Lanka
3. Visit the new 9/11 memorial
4. DIY Wonders of the World list
5. Pan American Games, Guadalajara, Mexico
6. FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, Oslo, Norway
7. Climb a ‘stairway to heaven’
8. Isle of Man motorbike race
9. Indy 500, Indianapolis, USA
10. Write a postcard

Fun in the Sun! - The Pacific

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The Hawaiian Islands
South Pacific Tourism Organisation

Fun in the Sun! - Mexico, Central & South America

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Visit Costa Rica
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Fun in the Sun! - Caribbean

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Caribbean Travel
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Puerto Rico

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VisitFlorida.com
Florida's Paradise Coast
Greater Miami and the Beaches
Florida Keys

Fun in the Sun! - Southern California

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Anaheim/Orange County

VisitCalifornia.com - Explore Deserts

San Diego - Vacation, Travel & Tourism

Fun in the Sun! - Arizona

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Visit Phoenix
Visit Tuscon
Arizona Tourism & Travel