Most have heard of the Egyptian pyramids and possibly the Mayan pyramids. What about Bonaire’s salt pyramids? Reaching approximately 50 feet high, each is about 10,000 tonnes of pure salt. The pyramids and flat salt pans cover slightly less than 15% of the southeastern end of Bonaire. The deep pink-red colour — from a cell membrane containing carotenoid pigments — intensifies sunlight absorption, which then raises the temperature and increases evaporation, leading eventually to the production of salt. After harvesting, these “sun gems” are stacked into Bonaire’s striking pyramids.
The Bonaire salt pyramids | Natural wonder
Snapshots of the Caribbean region’s natural wonders
