Did you know that there are new SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD???

The New Seven Wonders of the World include an ancient site in Mexico, a statue of Christ, and a rose colored city.

A contest that began in 1999 to draw attention to enduring global architecture ended on July 7, 2007 after 100 million votes were cast worldwide.

“It was time for the concept to be revived, encompassing the whole world, celebrating the cultural heritage of our many continents and peoples,” said Bernard Weber, the Swiss-Canadian who was the guiding force behind the campaign.

Criticized by some as an elaborate publicity stunt and lauded by others for bringing attention to the need to preserve important architectural sites, the official “New Seven Wonders of the World” are:

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

Located approximately at the midway point between Cancun and Merida, the Pyramid at Chichén Itzá remains one the great cultural relics of the Mayan civilization.

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

The Roman Colosseum (Amphitheatrum Flavium) was the first permanent amphitheatre to be built in Rome and has, since that time, served as the heart of the city. Constructed with enough room to seat 50,000 spectators, The Colosseum can still invite one to imagine gladiators waging fierce battles and shouting, “iHoc habet!” (”Now he’s done for!”).

The Great Wall of China (220 B.C. and 1368–1644 A.D.) People’s Republic of China

Famously one of the few manmade structures that can be viewed from outer space, The Great Wall of China, originally built to keep the enemy out, now serves as a tourist destination that attracts millions annually. Spanning more than 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers), the Great Wall of China is now the focus of an effort to preserve the structure for future generations.

Machu Picchu (1460-1470), Peru

Machu Picchu is nestled high in the Andes Mountains above the Urubamba Valley in Peru. Relatively forgotten, the site captured the world’s attention in 1911 when Hiram Bingham wrote the book “Lost City of Incas.” Bingham was credited with discovering Machu Picchu, but to the indigenous people who have always lived nearby it was never forgotten.

Petra (9 B.C.–40 A.D.), Jordan

The ancient city of Petra has been a relatively unknown site on the map of the world’s great architectural locations. That is until it was “discovered” in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Petra is often referred to as “The Rose Colored City” because of its pink sandstone. Located within a 100-square mile (60-square kilometre) park is the stunning heart of Petra, the Treasury building, also known as Al Khazneh.

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

The Taj Mahal was built by Muslim Emperor Shah Jahan as a lasting tribute to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Described as an “elegy in Marble,” construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631 and was not complete until 1648. A masterpiece of Mughal architecture, “the Taj,” as it is often called, is capped by a gleaming white marble dome that reaches into the glorious Indian sky.

Christ Redeemer (1931) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Located at the top of Corcovado Mountain in Tijuca Forest National Park, Christ Redeemer is a 105-foot (32-meter) high statue that overlooks Rio de Janeiro with outstretched arms. Only 76 years old, it stands as one of the most recognizable monuments in the world today.

For more information about the New Seven Wonders of the World, visit: www.new7wonders.com.

In comparison view this, The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. So the question is why we need the new 7 Wonders of the World? It must be for some reasons. . . .perhaps one reason that I could think of is for tourism, that is to create awareness that these new 7 wonders are the new tourist destinations and to make money out of it =)

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