The humanity has been changing for better. We are aware of the 7 Wonders of the World. What about the New World Wonders? The original 7 Ancient Wonders of the World have now been extinct unable to cope with the onslaught of natural calamities and the human psyche. An attempt was made to identify the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The exercise began way back in 2007 and a list was prepared. Based on the voting and the importance of the monument, a final list of New 7 Wonders of the World came into being.
What are the new Seven Wonders of the World?
Here is the complete list of the New 7 Wonders of the World as per the declaration made in 2007. The list can be quite subjective, given the fact that the voting may not be representative of the entire globe.
A total of 21 finalists were chosen after a thorough exploration. Around 100 million votes were cast that culminated into the selection of the choicest 7 wonders. The entire exercise was undertaken by the New7Wonders Foundation, an organization based in Switzerland.
If you are interested in 7 Ancient Wonders of the World, you may visit this link. We have also covered the Seven Natural Wonders of the World at this link.
#1. The Great Wall of China – China
Great Wall of China is indeed the largest man made military structure in the world, and thus deserves to be among the New 7 Wonders of the World.
Comparable by any standard to the 7 Ancient Wonders of the world, it was constructed more than 2000 years ago. The wall was a means of keeping the invaders from the northern side of the border. It consists of walls and fortifications. The structure stands at a whopping 21,196 kilometers. Incidentally, it is the only structure that can be seen from the Moon!
One of the magnificent New 7 Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China has been a World Heritage Site since 1987. A great history makes it one of the choicest spots flocked by tourists.
#2. Statue of Christ Redeemer, Brazil
The second largest statue of the Lord Christ is yet another worthy addition to the New 7 Wonders of the World. Built in 1931, the statue is all yours to behold in Rio De Janeiro in Brazil.
The Statue of Christ, the Redeemer was designed by Heitor da Silva Costa and built with reinforced concrete-and-soapstone. One of the well-known landmarks of Brazil, the statue has been constructed at a cost of $250,000. The funds were collected through donations from 1921. The statue stands atop the Corcovado peak that looks upon from the height of 2000 feet. The second in our list of New 7 Wonders of the world, the Christ Redeemer statue is 120 feet high.
The statue is illuminated in the night, creating an illusion that the statue is floating in the sky with its arms wide open.
#3. The Taj Mahal – India
A pride for India, the Taj Mahal at Agra has made it to the list of New 7 Wonders of the World. The monument has been a symbol of love and is built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
The Monument that got included in the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World in 2007 was built in the 17th century. The emperor wanted to create the largest mausoleum in the world and present a perfect a perfect example of architectural symmetry. Rumour has it that all the workers involved in the construction were either killed or disabled so that they will not build a similar structure elsewhere.
The mausoleum has a central dome and the surrounding minarets constructed of white marble. It has been treated as one of the world’s most beautiful and recognizable buildings. The gardens on the raised pathways, flower beds and a reflecting pool add to the glory of this wonderful piece of architecture.
#4. Petra – Jordan
Petra was the capital of the Nabataean empire and is the home for the glorious remains of a magnificent civilization. The rock cut architecture is a sight to behold and truly deserved to be among the New 7 Wonders of the World.
Petra, which literally means the Lost City or the Ancient City has been a land mark of Jordan. Discovered only in the Nineteenth Century, Petra is believed to be built in around 312 BC. The city has been a home for a booming trade at the time of Christ.
The most amazing among the rest of the rose colored city is the Monastery that has been constructed straight into the mountain using rock cut technique. There is also a 4,000-seat amphitheater and several other magnificent structures. The site is indeed a technological marvel with its expertise in manipulating water.
#5. The Roman Colosseum –Rome
This can be one of the intriguing icons in the history of Rome. Supposedly built between 70 to 80 AD, the structure was used to watch the public spectacles. These included battle reenactments, executions or other sports.
The elliptically designed theater had a seating capacity of 50,000. The current status has been not an entirely a good one to see, thanks to earthquakes and stone robbers – but still, the Roman Colosseum retains its lost glory and thus has been included in the list of New Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
It is quite accessible among the other entries in the new 7 Wonders of the World and thus can be one of the easiest picks for the tourists exploring these architectural wonders of the world.
#6. Machu Picchu – Peru
A great remnant of the Inca civilization, Machu Picchu is the next in our list of New Seven Wonders of the World. It had been the royal estate and also a religious site for the Inca leaders before being invaded by the Spanish.
The site is tucked inside the Peruvian Andes forests and had been inaccessible for years. It was only in 1911 that it was discovered to the world at large and has since then been a popular tourist destination. The Peruvian addition to the New 7 Wonders of the World has indeed been a masterpiece and a true window to the architectural and agricultural expertise of the Inca civilization.
You can only reach this amazing display of the Inca culture only by foot, train or helicopters. Recently the Peruvian government has introduced the timed ticket system for the site.
#7. Chichén Itzá — Mexico
Just like the Inca civilization that leaves you spellbound in Machu Picchu, be a spectator to the Mayan heritage at Chichén Itzá — Mexico. It was the sacred city for the Mayans between 750 A.D – 1200 A.D.
One of the worthy attractions in this last location in our list of New 7 Wonders of the World, Chichén Itzá is Temple of Kukulkan. It is also known by the name El Castillo. There are several other stepped pyramid structures spread around the area. Temple of Kukulkan has 365 steps which are indicative of the 365 days of the year. In fact, it can be an indication of the expertise that Mayans had in astronomy.
The city was abandoned in the 1400’s by the Mayans and the scientists are baffled to know why. It is assumed that the droughts, epidemics or the conquests could have been the reasons for deserting such an amazing center of architectural mastery.
The Concluding Thoughts
We are glad to present you with the list of the New 7 Wonders of the World in this concise post. Unlike the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World or the 7 Wonders of the Natural World, the New 7 Wonders of the World have not been free from controversies. It is bound to happen, as it may not be an easy task to compile just a handful of seven structures from among the versatile architectural expertise experienced across the globe. The huge 21 finalists list for the selection of the New 7 Wonders of the World in itself should be an indication of the mammoth exercise that the foundation had to undertake.
However, the list is now officially agreed upon and quite standard by almost all accounts. Please note that there isn’t any ranking for the entries we have featured above and they form a part of a global village.