REVISITED: SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD

Have you heard of the "Seven Wonders of the World"? Do you know that there is an ANCIENT list and a NEW list of the Seven Wonders of the world?

Well, I have heard of the original (now known as ancient) list since I was a child. It is compiled in the middle ages and it listed seven most remarkable natural wonders and man-made structures in the world. The original members of this list are...

1. Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt
2. Hanging Garden of Babylon
3. Statue of Zeus in Olympia
4. Temple of Artemis in Ephesus
5. Mausoleum of Maussollos at Harlicarnassus
6. Colossus of Rhodes
7. Lighthouse of Alexandria.

However, from the seven members in the list, only the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt survived until today. Others in the list no longer in existence. 

In 2001, and initiative was carried out to re-visit the list and identify wonders in the world that still exist. After a worldwide survey and after much deliberation, a new list was finally announced in 2007.

From there, the earlier (original) list is now known as "The Seven Wonders of The ANCIENT World". While the new list announced in 2007 is known as "The NEW Seven Wonders of the World".

Ironically, the new list of seven wonders -- has eight members!!

Here are the NEW Seven Wonders of the World:

1. The Great Wall of China in China -- is a series of fortification walls, generally built along the east-to-west line across the historical northern border of China to protect the Chinese Empire from any intrusion. It is famously built between 220-206 BC by the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang.

2. Petra in Jordan -- is famous for its rock cut architecture and water conduit system. It is establish during the 6th century BC as the capital city of Nabataens. It is located in the slopes of Mount Hor in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Wadi Araba. The BBC has named Petra as one of 'the 40 places you have to see before you die'.

3. Christ the Redeemer in Brazil -- Is a statue of Jesus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue is located at the peak of the 700-meter Corcovado mountain of Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city. It was constructed between 1922 - 1931 and has become a well-known icon for Rio de Janeiro.

  

4. Machu Picchu in Peru -- is a pre-Columbian 15th Century Inca site, located in the Cusco region of Peru. Most archaeologist believe that Machu Picchu was build as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438 - 1472). It is often regarded as the 'Lost City of the Incas'. The site remains 'lost' to the outside world until 1911. and it has been a great tourist attraction ever since.

5. Chichen Itza in Mexico -- is located in the eastern portion of Yucatan state in Mexico. It is believed to have been built between 700AD and 900AD. It is a focal point in the northern Maya lowlands from the Late Classic era (c. 600AD - 900AD) to the Early Postclassic era (c. 900AD - 1200AD). Chichen Itza is likely to have been one of the mystical great cities, or Tollans.

6. Colosseum in Italy -- Is regarded as one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. Its constructions begin in 72AD during the rule of emperor Vespasian, and completed in 80AD under the rule of Titus. The Colosseum can host about 50,000 spectators and was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunt, execution and dramas.   

7. Taj Mahal in India -- is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan between 1632 - 1653, in memory of his 3rd wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as  "the jewel of Muslim art in India" and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.

8. The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt -- needs little introduction and is regarded as an honorary member to the NEW list as it is the only surviving member of the original list (now known as the ANCIENT list). It was built between 2560BC - 2540BC as a tomb for the fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Kufu. The Great Pyramid of Giza remains as the tallest man-made structure in the world for 3,800 years, before modernization came by with its sky-scraper buildings.