Great Wall of China
This newly
elected world wonder was built along China's northern border over many centuries
to keep out invading Mongol tribes. Constructed between the fifth century B.C.
and the 16th century, the Great Wall is the world's longest human-made
structure, stretching some 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers). The best known
section was built around 200 B.C. by the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang
Di.
Petra, Jordan
Perched on
the edge of the Arabian Desert, Petra was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom
of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to A.D. 40). Petra is famous for its many stone
structures such as a 138-foot-tall (42-meter-tall) temple carved with classical
facades into rose-colored rock. The ancient city also included tunnels, water
chambers, and an amphitheater, which held 4,000 people. The desert site wasn't
known to the West until Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt came across it
in 1812.
Great Wall of China
This newly
elected world wonder was built along China's northern border over many centuries
to keep out invading Mongol tribes. Constructed between the fifth century B.C.
and the 16th century, the Great Wall is the world's longest human-made
structure, stretching some 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers). The best known
section was built around 200 B.C. by the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang
Di.
Petra, Jordan
Perched on
the edge of the Arabian Desert, Petra was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom
of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to A.D. 40). Petra is famous for its many stone
structures such as a 138-foot-tall (42-meter-tall) temple carved with classical
facades into rose-colored rock. The ancient city also included tunnels, water
chambers, and an amphitheater, which held 4,000 people. The desert site wasn't
known to the West until Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt came across it
in 1812.
Christ the Redeemer
The
105-foot-tall (38-meter-tall) 'Christ the Redeemer' statue in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, was among the "new seven wonders of the world" announced July 7, 2007
following a global poll to decide a new list of human-made marvels. The winners
were voted for by Internet and phone, American Idol style. The other six new
wonders are the Colosseum in Rome, India's Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China,
Jordan's ancient city of Petra, the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, and the
ancient Maya city of Chichen Itza in Mexico. Great Wall of China
This newly
elected world wonder was built along China's northern border over many centuries
to keep out invading Mongol tribes. Constructed between the fifth century B.C.
and the 16th century, the Great Wall is the world's longest human-made
structure, stretching some 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers). The best known
section was built around 200 B.C. by the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang
Di.
Petra, Jordan
Perched on
the edge of the Arabian Desert, Petra was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom
of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to A.D. 40). Petra is famous for its many stone
structures such as a 138-foot-tall (42-meter-tall) temple carved with classical
facades into rose-colored rock. The ancient city also included tunnels, water
chambers, and an amphitheater, which held 4,000 people. The desert site wasn't
known to the West until Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt came across it
in 1812.
Christ the Redeemer
The
105-foot-tall (38-meter-tall) 'Christ the Redeemer' statue in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, was among the "new seven wonders of the world" announced July 7, 2007
following a global poll to decide a new list of human-made marvels. The winners
were voted for by Internet and phone, American Idol style. The other six new
wonders are the Colosseum in Rome, India's Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China,
Jordan's ancient city of Petra, the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, and the
ancient Maya city of Chichen Itza in Mexico.
Machu Picchu, Peru
One of three
successful candidates from Latin America, Machu Picchu is a 15th-century
mountain settlement in the Amazon region of Peru. The ruined city is among the
best known remnants of the Inca civilization, which flourished in the Andes
region of western South America. The city is thought to have been abandoned
following an outbreak of deadly smallpox, a disease introduced in the 1500s by
invading Spanish forces. Great Wall of China
This newly
elected world wonder was built along China's northern border over many centuries
to keep out invading Mongol tribes. Constructed between the fifth century B.C.
and the 16th century, the Great Wall is the world's longest human-made
structure, stretching some 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers). The best known
section was built around 200 B.C. by the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang
Di.
Petra, Jordan
Perched on
the edge of the Arabian Desert, Petra was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom
of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to A.D. 40). Petra is famous for its many stone
structures such as a 138-foot-tall (42-meter-tall) temple carved with classical
facades into rose-colored rock. The ancient city also included tunnels, water
chambers, and an amphitheater, which held 4,000 people. The desert site wasn't
known to the West until Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt came across it
in 1812.
Christ the Redeemer
The
105-foot-tall (38-meter-tall) 'Christ the Redeemer' statue in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, was among the "new seven wonders of the world" announced July 7, 2007
following a global poll to decide a new list of human-made marvels. The winners
were voted for by Internet and phone, American Idol style. The other six new
wonders are the Colosseum in Rome, India's Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China,
Jordan's ancient city of Petra, the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, and the
ancient Maya city of Chichen Itza in Mexico.
Machu Picchu, Peru
One of three
successful candidates from Latin America, Machu Picchu is a 15th-century
mountain settlement in the Amazon region of Peru. The ruined city is among the
best known remnants of the Inca civilization, which flourished in the Andes
region of western South America. The city is thought to have been abandoned
following an outbreak of deadly smallpox, a disease introduced in the 1500s by
invading Spanish forces.
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Chichen Itza
is possibly the most famous temple city of the Mayas, a pre-Columbian
civilization that lived in present day Central America. It was the political and
religious center of Maya civilization during the period from A.D. 750 to 1200.
At the city's heart lies the Temple of Kukulkan (pictured)-which rises to a
height of 79 feet (24 meters). Each of its four sides has 91 steps-one step for
each day of the year, with the 365th day represented by the platform on the top. The Colosseum, Rome, Italy
The only
finalist from Europe to make it into the top seven—the Colosseum in Rome,
Italy-once held up to 50,000 spectators who came to watch gory games involving
gladiators, wild animals, and prisoners. Construction began around A.D. 70 under
Emperor Vespasian. Modern sports stadiums still resemble the Colosseum's famous
design. Taj Mahal, India
The Taj
Mahal, in Agra, India, is the spectacular mausoleum built by Muslim Mughal
Emperor Shah Jahan to honor the memory of his beloved late wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Construction began in 1632 and took about 15 years to complete. The opulent,
domed mausoleum, which stands in formal walled gardens, is generally regarded as
finest example of Mughal art and architecture. It includes four minarets, each
more than 13 stories tall. Shah Jahan was deposed and put under house arrest by
one of his sons soon after the Taj Mahal's completion. It's said that he spent
the rest of his days gazing at the Taj Mahal from a window.