1. The Christ Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A symbol of Christianity, the statue has become an icon of Rio and Brazil.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Chichén Itzá, Mexico
Chichén Itzá 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.
7. 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.
Back here in our own country, we do have another structure, also a mosque near KLCC which resembles the Taj Mahal. This is the Asy-Syakirin Mosque. See the similarity?
Although the votes has been casted and the new 7 Wonders has been chosen, there are still a few icons which dropped out of the list, which I would say, are Incredible and Unbelievable. Among them are the Angkor Wat, Stonehenge, Acropolis, Kremlin/St. Basil's, Neuschwanstein Castle, Statues of Easter Island, and many more. As time passes by, hopefully these Wonders will still be around for many many years to come.
2 comments:
And the St Francis Xavier's statue on top of St Paul's hill in melaka, is short of one hand!! There were stories behind in I heard...some say when St Francis Xavier's (the real person) hand was chopped down, his statue's hand dropped off too...dunno how true is tat though...
true, they tried to fix it back but was struck by lightning. so it remained that way till now.
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