The New 7 Wonders of the World

The New7Wonders organization is happy to announce that the following 7 candidates have been elected by more than 100 million votes to represent global heritage throughout history. The listing is in random order, as announced at the Declaration Ceremony on 07.07.07. All the New 7 Wonders are equal and are presented as a group without any ranking.

Official New 7 Wonders of the World status is subject to a final validation process, and will be confirmed during a forthcoming New7Wonders Inauguration Tour.
~I really think it's high time they did this. I personally am not familiar with the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (Pyramid of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Colossus of Rhodes, Pharos of Alexandria) -- well, not really, I am familiar with the pyramids but the rest are a total blur to me. Out of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, only the pyramids remain standing. Kudos to the Egyptians! In fact, the pyramids were finalists in the selection of the new 7 wonders but sadly it was not chosen. Anyway, here are the New 7 Wonders of the World (not in any order because as they say, they are equal in popularity and prestige)

The Pyramid at Chichén Itzá (before 800 A.D.) Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Chichén Itzá, the most famous Mayan temple city, served as the political and economic center of the Mayan civilization. Its various structures - the pyram id of Kukulkan, the Temple of Chac Moo l, the Hall of the Thousand Pillars, and the Playing Field of the Prisoners – can still be seen tod ay and are demonstrative of an extraordinary commi tment to architectural space and composition. The pyramid itself was the last, and arguably the greatest, of all Mayan temples.
~ According to The Discovery Channel, this pyramid is a perfect one. every summer solstice, an image of a snake would be seen beside the steps of this pyramid (or something to that effect I can't really remember). There are other structures around the pyramid and they are equally as impressive.

Christ Redeemer (1931) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This statue of Jesus stands some 38 meters tall, atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. Designed by Brazilian Heitor da Silva Costa and created by French sculptor Paul Landowski, it is one of the world’s best-known monuments. The statue took five years to construct and was inaugurated on October 12, 1931. It has become a symbol of the city and of the warmth of th e Brazilian people, who receive visitors with open arms.
~ I have friends in Brazil and they tell me the Christ Redeemer statue is real ly awesome. However, did you know that this is not the tallest Christ statue in the world? The tallest would be, I think, is the one in Bolivia. It's called Cristo de la Concordia.

The Roman Colosseum (70 - 82 A.D.) Rome, Italy

This great amphitheater in the centre of Rome was built to give favors to successful legionnaires and to celebrate the glory of the Roman Empire. Its design concept still stands to this very day, and virtually every modern sports stadium some 2,000 years later still bears the irresistible imprint of the Colosseum's original design. Today, through films and history books, we are eve n more aware of the cruel fights and games that took place in this arena, all for the joy of the spectators.
~ Too bad we are glorifying this place. A lot of people died within the walls of this massive arena. It's virtually a slaughter house. I'm more sadden by the fact that it beat the Parthenon by being one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Anyway, it was a glorio us structure when it was constructed. Well, yeah, it still is.

The Taj Mahal (1630 A.D.) Agra, India

This immense mausoleum was built on the orders of Shah Jahan, the fifth Muslim Mogul emperor, to honor the memory of his beloved late wife. Built out of white marble and standing in formally laid-out walled gardens, the Taj Mahal is regarded as the most perfect jewel of Muslim art in India. The emperor was consequently jailed and, it is said, could then only see the Taj Mahal out of his small cell window.
~ One of the most symmetrical structures in the world, made of premium grade white marble, a monument of true love, need I say more? Finally something from Asia. This is really a majestic piece of art. Glad to know that this was included as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

The Great Wall of China (220 B.C and 1368 - 1644 A.D.) China

The Great Wall of China was built to link existing for tifications into a unite d defense system and better keep invading Mongol tribes out of China. It is the largest man-made monument ever to have been built and it is disputed that it is the only one visible from space. Many thousands of people must have given their lives to build this colossal construction.
~ Hurrah! Strike two for the Asians. The only man-made structure visible from space. I so want to visit this place and just admire it. I also want to bring my family to this place but I don't think my parents could endure the long walk hehehe

Petra (9 B.C. - 40 A.D.), Jordan

On the edge of the Arabian Desert, Petra was the glittering capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to 40 A.D.). Masters of water technology, the Nabataeans provided their city with great tunnel constructions and water chambers. A theater, modelled on Greek-Roman prototypes, had space for an audience of 4,000. Today, the Palace Tombs of Petra, with the 42-meter-high Hellenistic temple facade on the El-Deir Monastery, are impressive examples of Middle Eastern culture.
~ Three-in-a-row! Another Asian wonder. The Petra is one of the most impressive stone sculptures/structures in the world. I believe this was also used as one of the backdrops for the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It is still as wonderful as ever.

Machu Picchu (1460-1470), Peru

In the 15th century, the Incan Emperor Pachacútec built a city in t he clouds on the mountain known as Machu Picchu ("old mountain"). This extraordinary settlement lies halfway up the Andes Plateau, deep in the Amazon jungle and above the Urubamba River. It was probably abandoned by the Incas because of a smallpox outbreak and, after the Spanish defeated the Incan Empire, the city remained 'lost' for over three centuries. It was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.
~ One of the most majestic ancient structures man has ever discovered. It must have taken a great deal of hardship to build this "city in the sky". We actually have a jigsaw puzzle of this place. It must have been really something to have lived in this place. However, it must have been really, really cold hehehe

Well, there you have it. The New 7 Wonders of the World. If you want to know more about these Wonders, you can go and visit the website. Just >>>click here<<<. You can also go to that website to vote for the next big thing! The New 7 Wonders of Nature. Please vote for the Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines as well.

* All post written in italics are from me, the rest, I took from the website.