The New Seven Wonders of the World
The new Seven Wonders of the World were announced in July 2007. They are Taj Mahal of India, Christ Redeemer of Brazil, the Great Wall of China, Roman Colosseum of Italy, Petra of Jordan, Pyramid at Chichen Itza of Mexico and Machu Picchu of Peru. These sites were selected on a tally of around 100 million votes cast by people around the world over the Internet and mobile text messages.
The Taj Mahal is located in Agra, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Mughal Emperor Shahjahan constructed it in 1631 as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The construction work began after the death of Queen in 1632. It was completed in 1648. The monument is considered as the finest example of Mughal architecture. The white marble mausoleum is the most familiar part of the monument. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the monument is quoted as, The jewel of Muslim art in India’. It is one of the universally admired masterpieces. It is a symbol of love and has stood for centuries as an example of most beautiful human emotion.
The Christ Redeemer is the statue of Jesus. It was inaugurated in 1931. It stands 125 feet tall on the Corcovado Mountain overlooking the Brazilian capital of Rio de Janerio. It was built by the Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa. It took five years to build the statue. It is made of strong concrete. Its outer layers are made from soapstone helping it to resist extreme weather. This statue is one of world’s best-known monuments, which is now being included in the Seven Wonders of the World.
The Great Wall of China was built over 2200 years ago by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huandi during the Qin dynasty in 220 BC. It is the largest building ever constructed by man. It stretches across the mountains of northern China, curving north and northwest of Beijing. It is constructed of masonry rocks and packed earth. It is about 5,000 kilometers long, with thickness ranging from 4.5 to 9 meters and height up to 7.5 meters.
The Colosseum is one of the most famous buildings of Rome. Its construction was initiated by the Emperor in around 72 AD. Later his son resigned over its completion.
Petra of Jordan is yet another one of the Seven Wonders of the World. On the edge of Arabian Desert, Petra was the magnificent capital of the Nabataea Empire. It is famous for having many stone structures carved into the rock. In 1812, the long-hidden site was revealed to the western world by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.
Another of the seven wonders is the sacred city of Itza, called Chichen Itza. It is located in Maya, Mexico. This archaeological site is rated among the most important of the Maya Culture displays. It covers an area of approximately 6 square miles where hundreds of buildings once stood. Today, thirty of them may still be seen by tourists.
Finally, the ruins of Machu Picchu, rediscovered in 1911 by archaeologist Hiram Bingham, arc the most beautiful and mysterious ancient sites in the world. It is said that Machu Picchu was reserved as a sacred place from earlier times. One of its functions was that of astronomical observatory.
These new seven wonders of the world are the most popular sites in the world. Millions of tourists go to see them every year. However, the inclusion of Taj Mahal as the most photographed monument in the world has enhanced India’s prestige and glory in the world.
Thanks