Three new national monuments named by President Obama

The United States of America is full of both natural and historic landmarks. Three new sites have been proclaimed national monuments by President Barack Obama.

They are the Basin and Range in Nevada, home to 4,000-year-old rock art; Waco Mammoth in Texas, home to the remains of more than 24 mammoths; and Berryessa Snow Mountain in California, a site of unusual biodiversity.

Altogether, that's over a million acres now protected from development.

Environmentalists were happy with the news, and one noted, "By creating these...President Obama is continuing his commitment to preserving America's treasured places and cementing his well-deserved place in conservation history."

During his tenure in the White House, President Obama has created or expanded 19 national monuments.

Obama made these classifications under the Antiquities Act of 1906.

A statement released by the White House mentions that, "Altogether, he has protected more than 260 million acres of public lands and waters — more than any other President."