#876 Islas Ballestas, Peru

Just off Pisco (of alcohol fame) and Paracas, just outside of Iwa and Huacachina (#923) are the Islas Ballestas, the guano (bird poop) producing center that helped support Peru's economy at the turn of the century because of their phosphorus (and therefore fertilizer) capacity!

While the candelebra above is actually on the Peruvian coast, it astonished early European sailors and its origins are unknown, but perhaps connected to the nearby Nazca line civilization. An hour's sail off the coast, they have no permanent residents except for the noisy sea lions, fur seals, waddling Humboldt penguins, pelicans, blue footed boobys and other sea birds.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islas_Ballestas

#924 Homer, Alaska, USA

At the very southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula is spectacular Homer. I think it is one of the only places that I know of where the main street of the town goes along a narrow strip that juts miles into the sea (except perhaps in the Florida Keys?), although this was significantly altered in the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake. Surrounded by the beautiful Kachemak Bay which in turn is surrounded by spectacular mountains of the Kenai Fjords National Park, it's a beautiful spot. Originally a coal and gold mining center, it is now famous for halibut fishing.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer,_Alaska