Up to 35% of Mongolians still live a nomadic life, depending on their land to survive. But environmental changes, particularly desertification, means this way of life is under threat. Korean photographer Daesung Lee’s Futuristic Archaeology images show billboard-size backdrops of lush steppe contrasting with actual scenery as former nomads enact scenes of hunting, herding and Mongolian wrestling. (Photo by Daesung Lee)

Male is the capital and most populous city in the Republic of Maldives. The city is geographically located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll (Kaafu Atoll). Administratively, it is a city-class constituency and is governed by the Malé City Council. Traditionally it was the King's Island, from where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties ruled and where the palace was located. The city was then called “Mahal”. Formerly it was a walled city surrounded by fortifications and gates (doroshi).

Igor Shpilenok works in the reserve at Kamchatka, Russia. Igor is a fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers and a winner of the 2006 BBC Wildlife Photographer Competition. Igor’s work has been published in numerous international and Russian magazines, including Smithsonian, National Wildlife, Geo, and BBC Wildlife.

“How does a bear behave when encounter a human? In most cases he runs away. But before running he almost always would rise to stand on his rear feet. And this behavior does not indicate the attack, as many people think...” – Igor Shpilenok. (Photo by Igor Shpilenok via Wildlife Photo Russia)

The second of six C-17 Globemaster III airlifters for the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence is being assembled at the Boeing assembly facility on May 10, 2011 in Long Beach, California. The UAE will take delivery of three more C-17s this year and two in 2012 as it modernizes its airlift capabilities. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Children admire the work “Little Lost Boy” by Australian artist Paul Trefry is seen on Tamarama Beach as part of the Sculptures By The Sea outdoor art exhibition on November 10, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Artists preform on a pool suspended above the audience during the Fuerza Bruta dress rehearsal on February 1, 2012 in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)