The new seven wonders of the world A private Swiss foundation called New Open World Corporation (NOWC) launched the contest in January, allowing Internet and telephone voters to choose between 21 sites short-listed from 77 selected by a jury. It said it had gathered nearly 100 million votes by the end of polling at midnight Friday. The final list was announced on July 7, 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal, in the Estádio da Luz, SL Benfica's stadium at 9:30pm (local time). Voting closed on July 6, 2007.

The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal (India) Defining the principles of Mughal architecture -- combining Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic styles -- the Taj Mahal is one of the world's most recognizable buildings. Regarded as the symbol of love, the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Its construction began in 1632 and was completed in approximately Some dispute surrounds the question of who designed the Taj Mahal; it is clear a team of designers and craftsmen were responsible for the design, with Ustad Ahmad Lahauri considered the most likely candidate as the principal designer.

The Roman Colosseum

The Colosseum (Italy) The Roman Colosseum is originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre. It is a giant amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy. The Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles was originally capable of seating around 50,000 spectators. It was built on a site just east of the Roman Forum, with construction starting between 70 and 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian. The Colosseum is the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It was completed in 80 AD under Titus, with further modifications being made during Domitian`s reign. Nothing conjures up the spirit of ancient Rome quite like the sight of the Colosseum. But its history also brings up the chilling image of killed Christians in the gruesome spectator sport. Constructed in 80, only parts of the original structure have survived the earthquakes and time.

The Pyramid of Chichen

The Pyramid of Chichen Itza Mexico Another site providing a view of a lost culture, Chichen Itza shows the intricacies of Mayan life through architecture. The temples and pyramids most likely only scratch the surface of what this society achieved, from a writing a system to the calendar. The Pyramid of Chichen Itza is located in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula. Chichen Itza was built by the Maya civilization, present-day Mexico and is a prestigious pre-Columbian archaeological site. Archaeological data, such as evidence of burning at a number of important structures and architectural complexes, suggest that Chichen Itza`s collapse was violent. Following the decline of Chichen Itza`s hegemony, regional power in the Yucatán shifted to a new center at Mayapan.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu (Peru) Hiram Bingham in 1911 provided the much-needed attention to Machu Picchu which was forgotten for centuries by the outside world, although not by locals. Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian city created by the Ruby/Prabhjot. Located on a mountain ridge It is at 2,430 m (7,970 ft) above sea level. Machu Picchu is located above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, about 70 km (44 mi) northwest of Cusco. Machu Picchu offers the most telling glimpse into Inca life. But for the small view it gives, it is equally mysterious. Possibly once home to a palace, the ruins appear to have been deserted and questions still linger.

Christ the Redeemer (statue)

The Statue of Christ Redeemer (Brazil) A potent symbol of Christianity, the statue has become an icon of Rio and Brazil. It was 12th October 1931 when Statue of Christ the Redeemer was inaugurated. The final design of the monument was authored by the fine artist Carlos Oswald and the French Sculptor Paul Landowski was placed in charge of executing the sculpture. Up till today, several reforms have been completed to ensure the quality of O Christo Redentor. Lighting has been added, and the latest renewal of September 2002 is the addition of a panoramic elevator and motorized staircase to ease the difficulty for elderly persons. ( It used to be a hard rise of 220 steps to get to the top). One-hundred, twenty-five-feet tall and 2,330-feet high, this enormous monument to Christianity gazes down upon Rio de Janeiro. If the allure of the statue isn't enough, the city also is home to one of the seven wonders of the natural world: the harbor at Rio de Janeiro.

Petra

Petra (Jordan) Lying in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank Arabah (Wadi Araba), Petra is an archaeological site in Jordan. Petra is the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. It is famous for having many stone structures carved into the rock. Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt revealed the long-hidden site to the Western world. It was famously described as "a rose-red city half as old as time" in a Newdigate prize-winning sonnet by John William Burgon. There is still plenty to be uncovered in this ancient city. Excavation is still occurring in The Great Temple, which was remarkably untouched until What little is known has served as a key window into the past.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China was built to protect the northern borders of the China. A series of stone and earthen defence in China, the Great Wall was built, rebuilt, and maintained between the 5th century BC and the 16th century. Several walls, referred to as the Great Wall of China, were built since the 5th century BC, the most famous being the one built between 220 BC and 200 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Just how big is the largest construction project of all time? Large enough to be seen from space during orbit. Built as a means of defense during the reign of the Qin Dynasty ( BC), the wall has survived as a hand-built monument to human achievement.

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