Introduction. In July 2007, an unique election was held in Portugal capital Lisbon, where seven sites have been chosen as the new wonders the world in an online poll that drew more then 100 million voters. A foundation (Seven New Wonders Foundation) created by Swiss adventurous Bernard Weber has announced the 7 new sites. The Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located at Agra in Uttar Pradesh, in India. The Mughal Emperor Shahjahan constructed it in the memory of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction began in 1632 and was completed in approximately 1648. In 1983 the Taj became a UNESCO World Heritage site and was cited as 'the jewel of Muslim art, in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.
The Great Wall of China. Its construction started over 2000 years ago. The longest monument in the world, it extends from the Pacific Ocean to the borders of central Asia. The wall was selected as a world Heritage- site by UNESCO in 1986.
The Pink Ruins of Petra in Jordan. The centuries old pink coloured ruins of Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage site located 200 kms south of the capital Amman. It comprises stunning temples and tombs carved in the rocks. It was the capital of Arab Nabataea nomads. It was a junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India and Southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome.
The Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. Christ the Redeemer, is a statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue stands 39.6 metres tall and 700 tons in weight. A symbol of Christianity, the statue has become an icon of Rio and Brazil.
Incan Ruins of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian city created by the Inca Empire. It is located at 2,430 metres altitude on u mountain ridge. Machu Picchu is located above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, about 70 kms north-west of Cusco. Machu Picchu was constructed around 1450, during the glory of the Inca empire.
The Ancient Mayan City of Chechen Itza in Mexico. Chechen Itza is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Maya civilization located in the northern centre of the Yucatan Peninsula, present day Mexico. It was built around 500 A.D.
The Colosseum in Rome. The Colosseum, symbol of the city of Rome, was built nearly 2000 years ago around the first century AD, during the Roman Empire. Financed by the Roman victories in Judea and the Pillage of the temple of Jerusalem, it is Rome's largest ampitheatre.
