White Sands is one of the most stunning landscapes in the United States.  Not only is it the largest collection of sand dunes in the United States, but the beautiful white, gypsum sand dunes are also some of the most unique sand dunes found anywhere in the world.  While gypsum is one of the most common minerals on the planet, because it easily dissolves in water, it is very rarely found on the surface of the ground.  These unique and amazing traits made White Sands worthy of becoming a National Monument back in 1933.