Hello All:
You would think this
would be a trivial question and everyone would surely be able to name
them off. But, seriously, not everyone knows. I didn’t know! Maybe I just didn't pay attention in school?
For some reason the
Seven Wonders popped in my head one morning in February, and I could
not answer. I knew the Great Pyramid was one of them. I knew that the
Taj Mahal and the Grand Canyon were considered wonders. But what
about the entire list? And what about information on these wonders.
So, what are the
Seven Wonders of the World?
The Seven Wonders
of the World?
Well, first you need to recognize that there are different
classifications for these wonders.
There are the
Ancient Wonders:
Colossus of
Rhodes
Great Pyramid
of Giza
Hanging Gardens
of Babylon
Statue of Zeus
at Olympia
Temple of
Artemis at Ephesus
Mausoleum at
Halicarnassus
Lighthouse of
Alexandria
There are the
Natural Wonders
Northern Lights
Grand Canyon
Paricutin
Mount Everest
Harbor of Rio
de Janeiro
Victoria Falls
Great Barrier
Reef.
There are the New
Wonders
The Ancient
Wonders
The Colossus of
Rhodes was a statue of the Greek sun god Helios, erected in the
city of Rhodes on the Greek island of the same name by Chares of
Lindos between 292 and 280 BC. Constructed of bronze, it is generally
considered one of the largest statues of the ancient world.
The Colossus stood
approximately 70 cubits (105 feet [32 metres]) high, making it taller
than the Statue of Liberty from base to head. It was one of the first
known examples of a colossal statue, and it is said to have been one
of the most impressive sights in the ancient world.
The Colossus was
destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC. It lay in ruins on the ground
for nearly 900 years, until it was finally sold for scrap in 654 AD.
The Colossus of
Rhodes has been the subject of much speculation and debate over the
centuries. Its exact appearance is unknown, as no contemporary
descriptions or images of it have survived. However, it is generally
believed to have depicted Helios standing with his arms outstretched,
holding a torch in one hand and a globe in the other.
The Colossus of
Rhodes was a symbol of the power and wealth of Rhodes. It was also a
popular tourist attraction, and it is said that people would travel
from all over the world to see it.
The destruction of
the Colossus was a major blow to the city of Rhodes. It was a symbol
of the city's power and wealth, and its loss was a sign of its
decline. However, the Colossus of Rhodes remains one of the most
famous and iconic statues of the ancient world. It is a reminder of
the power and beauty of ancient Greece, and it continues to fascinate
people today.
The Great Pyramid
of Giza is the largest of the three pyramids in the Giza pyramid
complex bordering present-day Giza in Greater Cairo, Egypt. It is the
oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to
remain largely intact.
The pyramid was
built as a tomb for the Fourth Dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Khufu and was
constructed over a 20-year period. It is estimated that the pyramid
contains 2.3 million blocks of stone, each weighing an average of 2.5
to 15 tons.
The Great Pyramid of
Giza is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Egypt. It is
estimated that over 1 million people visit the pyramid each year.
The Hanging
Gardens of Babylon were described as a remarkable feat of
engineering with an ascending series of tiered gardens containing a
wide variety of trees, shrubs, and vines, resembling a large green
mountain constructed of mud bricks. It was said to have been built in
the ancient city of Babylon, near present-day Hillah, Babil province,
in Iraq.
The Hanging Gardens'
name is derived from the Greek word κρεμαστός (kremastós,
lit. "hanging"). The Greek historian Herodotus, who visited
Babylon in the 5th century BC, did not mention the gardens in his
writings, but later Greek writers such as Strabo and Diodorus Siculus
described them in great detail.
The exact location
of the Hanging Gardens is unknown, and there is some debate about
whether they ever actually existed. Some scholars believe that the
gardens were located in Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire,
while others believe that they were located in Babylon.
The Hanging Gardens
were said to have been built by Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of
Babylon, for his wife Amytis, who missed the green hills and valleys
of her homeland. The gardens were said to be a series of terraces,
each one higher than the last, with a wide variety of plants and
trees. The terraces were irrigated by a system of canals that brought
water from the Euphrates River.
The Hanging Gardens
were one of the most famous wonders of the ancient world, and they
were a popular tourist attraction. They were destroyed by an
earthquake in the 2nd century BC, and they have not been rebuilt
since.
The Hanging Gardens
of Babylon are a reminder of the power and wealth of the ancient
world. They are also a reminder of the importance of gardens, which
provide us with beauty, food, and a connection to nature.
The Statue of
Zeus at Olympia was a chryselephantine statue (made of ivory and
gold) of Zeus, the king of the Greek gods, created by the Greek
sculptor Phidias. It was commissioned by the Eleans in the 430s BC,
and was completed in 435 BC. The statue was housed in the Temple of
Zeus at Olympia, Greece, until it was destroyed by a fire in the 5th
century AD.
The statue was about
12.4 meters (41 feet) tall and was made of ivory and gold over a
wooden frame. The skin of Zeus was made of ivory, and his hair,
beard, and clothing were made of gold. The statue was seated on a
throne, which was also made of ivory and gold. The throne was
decorated with reliefs of scenes from Greek mythology.
The statue of Zeus
was one of the most famous and revered works of art in the ancient
world. It was said to be a masterpiece of Greek sculpture, and it was
a popular tourist attraction. The statue was destroyed in a fire in
the 5th century AD, and no copies of it have survived. However, there
are many descriptions and drawings of the statue, and it is still
considered one of the greatest works of art of the ancient world.
The Temple of
Artemis at Ephesus was a temple dedicated to the Greek goddess
Artemis, and it was located in the city of Ephesus, in what is now
modern-day Turkey. The temple was built in the 6th century BC, and it
was destroyed by a mob in 401 AD.
The Temple of
Artemis was one of the largest and most impressive temples in the
ancient world. It was made of marble, and it was decorated with
statues and reliefs. The temple was a popular pilgrimage site, and it
was said to be a place of healing.
The destruction of
the Temple of Artemis was a major event in the history of the ancient
world. It was a symbol of the decline of the Greek city-states, and
it was also a sign of the rise of Christianity.
The Temple of
Artemis is still an important archaeological site. Visitors can see
the ruins of the temple, and they can also learn about its history.
The Temple of Artemis is a reminder of the power and beauty of the
ancient world.
The Mausoleum at
Halicarnassus was a tomb built for Mausolus, a satrap (governor)
in the Persian Empire, and his wife Artemisia II of Caria. The
mausoleum was built in Halicarnassus (now Bodrum, Turkey) between 353
and 350 BC.
The mausoleum was
designed by the Greek architects Satyros and Pythius of Priene. It
was a rectangular building with a colonnade on all four sides. The
roof was a pyramid, and on top of the pyramid was a statue of a
four-horse chariot.
The mausoleum was
decorated with sculptures by some of the most famous Greek artists of
the time, including Scopas, Praxiteles, and Bryaxis. The sculptures
depicted scenes from the life of Mausolus and Artemisia.
The mausoleum was
destroyed by an earthquake in the 13th century. Today, only a few
fragments of the mausoleum remain. However, the mausoleum is still
considered to be one of the most impressive buildings of the ancient
world.
The Lighthouse of
Alexandria was built by the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Ancient Egypt,
during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (280–247 BC). It has
been estimated to have been at least 100 metres (330 ft) in overall
height. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, for many
centuries it was one of the tallest man-made structures in the world.
The lighthouse was
constructed in the third century BC. After Alexander the Great died,
the first Ptolemy (Ptolemy I Soter) declared himself king in 305 BC,
and commissioned its construction shortly thereafter. The building
was finished during the reign of his son, Ptolemy II Philadelphus,
and took twelve years to complete at a total cost of 800 talents of
silver.
The lighthouse was
built on the island of Pharos in the harbor of Alexandria, Egypt. It
was made of white limestone and had three levels. The first level was
square, the second level was octagonal, and the third level was
cylindrical. The top of the lighthouse was crowned with a statue of
Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea.
The lighthouse was
used to guide ships into the harbor of Alexandria. It was also a
symbol of the power and wealth of the Ptolemaic Kingdom.
The lighthouse was
damaged by several earthquakes over the centuries. It was finally
destroyed by an earthquake in the 14th century.
Today, the ruins of
the lighthouse are located on the island of Pharos. They are a
popular tourist destination.
The Natural
Wonders
The Northern
Lights are a natural light display in the sky. They are caused by
the collision of charged particles from the sun with the Earth's
atmosphere. The Northern Lights can be seen in the northern
hemisphere, and they are most commonly seen in countries like Norway,
Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.
The Grand Canyon
is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River over millions of
years. It is located in the U.S. state of Arizona, and it is one of
the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The Grand
Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and
attains a depth of over a mile (6,093 feet or 1,857 meters).
Paricutin is
a cinder cone volcano that erupted in 1943. It is located in the
Mexican state of Michoacan, and it is one of the youngest volcanoes
in the world. Paricutin is only 333 feet (101 meters) tall, but it is
a popular tourist destination because of its unique shape and
history.
Mount Everest
is the highest mountain in the world. It is located in the Himalayas,
and it is a popular destination for mountaineers. Mount Everest is
29,032 feet (8,848.86 meters) tall, and it is the only mountain in
the world that is over 29,000 feet tall.
Harbor of Rio de
Janeiro is a natural harbor that is located in the city of Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil. It is one of the most beautiful harbors in the
world, and it is a popular tourist destination. The harbor is home to
Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, and Copacabana Beach.
Victoria Falls
is the largest waterfall in the world. It is located on the border
between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and it is a popular tourist destination.
Victoria Falls is 1,708 feet (519 meters) wide and 355 feet (108
meters) tall.
Great Barrier
Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world. It is located
in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The Great
Barrier Reef is home to over 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of
coral, and 4,000 species of mollusks.
The New Wonders
The Taj Mahal
is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river
Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was commissioned in 1631 by
the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan ( r. 1628–1658) to house the
tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal; it also houses the tomb of
Shah Jahan himself. The tomb is the centrepiece of a 17-hectare
(42-acre) complex, which includes a mosque and a guest house, and is
set in formal gardens bounded on three sides by a crenellated wall.
Construction of the
mausoleum was essentially completed in 1643, but work continued on
other phases of the project for another 10 years. 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".
The tomb is the centrepiece of a 17-hectare (42-acre) complex, which
includes a mosque and a guest house, and is set in formal gardens
bounded on three sides by a crenellated wall.
The construction of
the Taj Mahal involved an estimated 20,000 workers and took 22 years
to complete. The white marble used in the mausoleum was quarried from
Makrana, Rajasthan, and transported to Agra by a fleet of 1,000
elephants. The intricate inlay work was done by master craftsmen from
all over India and Central Asia.
The Taj Mahal is a
symbol of love, devotion, and beauty. It is a must-see for anyone
visiting India.
The Great Wall of
China is a series of fortifications that were built across the
historical northern borders of ancient Chinese states and Imperial
China as protection against various nomadic groups from the Eurasian
Steppe. Several walls were built from as early as the 7th century BC,
with selective stretches later joined by Qin Shi Huang (220–206
BC), the first emperor of China. Little of the Qin wall remains.
Later on, many successive dynasties built and maintained multiple
stretches of border walls.
The best-known
sections of the wall were built by the Ming dynasty (1368–1644).
The Ming wall built on the foundations of earlier walls, and also
included stretches built on new alignments. The wall served as a
military barrier against the raids and invasions of the various
nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe with an eye to expansion.
Additionally, the defensive characteristics of the Great Wall were
enhanced by the construction of watchtowers, troop barracks, garrison
stations, signaling capabilities through the means of smoke or fire,
and the fact that the path of the Great Wall also served as a
transportation corridor.
The Great Wall is
one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. It is
estimated that 100 million people visit the wall each year.
Machu Picchu is
a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of
southern Peru on a 2,430-meter (7,970 ft) mountain ridge. Often
referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas", it is the most
familiar icon of the Inca Empire. It is located in the Machupicchu
District within Urubamba Province above the Sacred Valley, which is
80 kilometers (50 mi) northwest of Cusco. The Urubamba River flows
past it, cutting through the Cordillera and creating a canyon with a
tropical mountain climate.
Machu Picchu is both
a cultural and natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since its
rediscovery in 1911, growing numbers of tourists have visited the
site each year, with numbers exceeding 1.4 million in 2017. As Peru's
most visited tourist attraction, and a major revenue generator, it is
continually exposed to economic and commercial forces. In the late
1990s, the Peruvian government granted concessions to allow the
construction of a cable car and a luxury hotel, including a tourist
complex with boutiques and restaurants and a bridge to the site.
The exact purpose of
Machu Picchu is still a mystery. Some believe it was a royal estate,
while others believe it was a religious center or a military
stronghold. Whatever its purpose, Machu Picchu is a stunning example
of Inca architecture and engineering. The site is made up of over 200
buildings, including temples, palaces, terraces, and agricultural
fields. The walls of Machu Picchu are made of huge stones that were
quarried and transported to the site without the use of wheels or
draft animals. The stones were then fitted together without the use
of mortar, creating a seamless and incredibly strong structure.
Machu Picchu is a
truly unique and awe-inspiring place. It is a must-see for anyone
interested in history, architecture, or simply the beauty of the
natural world.
The Colosseum,
also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an oval amphitheatre in
the centre of the city of Rome, Italy. Built of concrete and sand, it
is the largest amphitheatre ever built. The Colosseum is situated
just east of the Roman Forum. Construction began under the emperor
Vespasian in 72 AD, and was completed in 80 AD under his successor
and heir, Titus. Further modifications were made during the reign of
Domitian (81–96). These three emperors are known as the Flavian
dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named in Latin for its association
with their family name (Flavius).
The Colosseum could
hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators, and was used for
gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles,
animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas
based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for
entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such
purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a
quarry, and a gunpowder store. The Colosseum is one of the most
popular tourist attractions in Rome.
Christ the
Redeemer is a colossal statue of Jesus Christ on top of Corcovado
mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue is 98 feet (30 metres)
tall, excluding its 8-metre (26 ft) pedestal. The arms stretch 28
metres (92 ft) wide. It is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone.
Christ the Redeemer
is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world and is a major
tourist attraction. It was declared a National Monument of Brazil in
1981 and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007.
Petra is
located in Jordan. It is a historical and archaeological city that
was built by the Nabataeans in the 6th century BC. The city is famous
for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. Another name
for Petra is the Rose City due to the color of the stone out of which
it is carved.
Petra was founded in
the 6th century BC by the Nabataeans, a nomadic people who came from
the Arabian Peninsula. The Nabataeans were skilled traders and
engineers, and they built Petra as a trading center. The city was
located on an important trade route between Arabia and the
Mediterranean Sea.
Petra is famous for
its rock-cut architecture. The city is carved into the sandstone
cliffs of the Wadi Musa valley. The most famous building in Petra is
the Treasury, which is a large tomb that was carved into the side of
a cliff. The Treasury is one of the most popular tourist attractions
in Jordan.
Petra is also famous
for its water conduit system. The Nabataeans built a complex system
of canals and cisterns to collect and store water. The water system
was essential for the survival of the city, as Petra is located in a
desert region.
Petra was abandoned
in the 7th century AD, after the Muslim conquest of the region. The
city was rediscovered by Western explorers in the 19th century. Petra
has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
Petra is a popular
tourist destination, and it is one of the most visited sites in
Jordan. The city is open to visitors year-round, but it is best to
visit during the spring or fall when the weather is cooler.
Chichen Itza
is a Mayan archaeological site located in the Yucatán Peninsula of
Mexico. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico
and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
Chichen Itza was
founded around 500 AD and was a major center of Mayan culture for
over 600 years. The city was abandoned around 1200 AD, but its ruins
were rediscovered by Spanish explorers in the 16th century.
Chichen Itza is
famous for its many impressive buildings, including the Kukulkan
Pyramid, the Temple of the Warriors, and the Ball Court. The Kukulkan
Pyramid is the largest building at Chichen Itza and is one of the
most important structures in Mayan architecture. The pyramid is
believed to have been built as a temple to the Mayan god Kukulkan,
who is also known as Quetzalcoatl.
The Temple of the
Warriors is another important building at Chichen Itza. The temple is
dedicated to the Mayan god of war and is decorated with sculptures of
warriors. The Ball Court is a large, open field that was used for
playing a game called pok-a-tok. Pok-a-tok was a ritual game that was
played with a rubber ball and was considered to be a test of skill
and endurance.
Chichen Itza is a
fascinating place to visit and is a great place to learn about Mayan
culture. The site is open to the public and is located in the Yucatán
Peninsula of Mexico.
