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Sicily, Italy"I shot this picture in Sicily, with my drone. Those waves of lava are from Etna's big eruption back in 2002, this eruption was so spectacular that was recorded by Lucasfilm and integrated into the landscape of the planet Mustafar in the 2005 film Star Wars: Episode III"

Photograph by Placido Faranda, National Geographic Your Shot

41 Breathtaking Views From Above

Experience a bird's-eye perspective of places around the world from the 2017 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest.

ByNational Geographic Staff

June 26, 2017

Humans always dreamed of flying. Thanks to the Wright Brothers, we're able to hop from one destination to the next in just a few hours. People take to the air to learn about new cultures and travel to unexplored places all over the world. Photographers always look for new perspectives. Without flight, we wouldn't be able to see the world's full picture.

The 2017 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest featured submissions with amazing aerial views—from scenic streets in New Hampshire to city lights in China. Take a look at some of our editors' favorites and get read to join the next competition.