Wonders of the world

Various lists of the Wonders of the World have been compiled throughout hitory. The most well known list is the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. These lists have been compiled over the ages to catalogue the most spectacular man-made constructions and natural things in the world. The number seven was chosen because the Greeks believed it to be the representation of perfection and plenty.

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

Main Article:Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

The historian Herodotus (484 BC–ca. 425 BC), and the scholar Callimachus of Cyrene (ca 305–240 BC) at the Museum of Alexandria, made early lists of Seven wonders but their writings have not survived, except as references. The seven wonders included:

• Great Pyramid of Giza
• Hanging Gardens of Babylon
• Statue of Zeus at Olympia
• Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
• Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus
• Colosseum of Rhodes
• Lighthouse of Alexandria

The earliest lists had the Ishtar Gate as the seventh wonder of the world instead of the Lighthouse of Alexandria.

The Greek category was not Wonders but "thaumata"(Greek: Θαύματα), which translates closer to "miracles". The list that we know today was compiled in the Middle Ages—by which time many of the sites were no longer in existence. Today, the only ancient world wonder that still exists is the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Wonders of the Medieval World

Main Article:Wonders of the Medieval World

Many lists of wonders of the world are said to have existed during the Middle Ages, although it is unlikely that these lists originated at that time because the word medieval was not even invented until the Enlightenment-era, and the concept of a Middle Age did not become popular until the 16th century.

These lists typically include:

• Stonehenge
• Colosseum of Rome
• Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
• Great Wall of China
• Porcelain Tower of Nanjing
• Hagia Sophia
• Leaning Tower of Pisa

Wonders of the Modern World

Main Article:Wonders of the Modern World

The American Society of Civil Engineers compiled a list of wonders of the modern world:

• Channel Tunnel
• CN Tower
• Empire State Building
• Golden Gate Bridge
• Itaipu Dam
• Delta Works/Zuiderzee Works
• Panama Canal

New Seven Wonders of the World

Main Article:New Seven Wonders of the World

In 2001 an initiative was started by the Swiss corporation New7Wonders Foundation to choose the New Seven Wonders of the World from a selection of 200 existing monuments for profit.[11] Twenty-one finalists were announced January 1, 2006. Egypt was not happy with the fact that the only original wonder would have to compete with the likes of the Statue of Liberty, the Sydney Opera House, and other landmarks; and called the project absurd. To solve this, Giza was named an honorary Candidate. The results were announced on July 7, 2007 in Benfica's stadium in a big ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal, and are listed here:

• Great Wall of China
• Petra
• Christ the Redeemer
• Machu Picchu
• Chichen Itza
• Roman Colosseum
• Taj Mahal
• Great Pyramid of Giza

USA Todays New Seven Wonders

Main Article:USA Todays New Seven Wonders

In November 2006 the American national newspaper USA Today in conjunction with the American television show Good Morning America revealed a list of New Seven Wonders as chosen by six judges. The wonders were announced one per day over a week on Good Morning America. An eighth wonder was chosen on November 24 from viewer feedback.

• Potala Palace
• Old City of Jerusalem
• Polar Ice Caps
• Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
• Internet
• Maya ruins
• Grea Migration of Serengeti and Masai Mara
• Grand Canyon (Viewer Chosen Eighth Wonder)