Natural wonders of the world

10 Natural Wonders of the World

Last updated on January 16, 2022

With so many beautiful places on earth, a list of the top ten natural wonders of the world is unlikely to create a consensus. This is our version of the natural wonders of the world which we think represent the best of what nature has to offer.

10. Sahara [SEE MAP]

The Sahara is the world’s largest hot desert covering most of Northern Africa, making it almost as large as the United States. Contrary to popular belief, large sand dunes (called ergs) form only a minor part of the Sahara. Most of the desert consists of largely barren, hard, rocky plateaus, with very little sand. The Sahara receives less than three inches of rain a year on average. Even in the Sahara’s wettest areas, it may rain only twice a week and not rain again for years.

9. Ha Long Bay [SEE MAP]

Ha Long Bay is situated in north Vietnam round a 120 kilometer long coast line and is literally translated as “Bay of Descending Dragons”. The bay features thousands of islands, each topped with thick jungle vegetation, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves, others islands include lakes and some support floating villages of fishermen.

8. Mount Everest [SEE MAP]

At 8,848 meters (29,029 ft), Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth. It is located on the border between Nepal and Tibet. The highest mountain in the world attracts climbers of all levels. Although other eight-thousanders such as K2 are much more difficult to climb, Mount Everest still has many inherent dangers such as altitude sickness, weather and wind. People who die during the climb are typically left behind and it is not uncommon to find corpses near the standard climbing routes.

7. Antarctica

Antarctica, on average, is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent on the planet, and has the highest average elevation of all the continents. Although about 98% of Antarctica is covered by ice, it is technically a desert (the largest on earth) with very little precipitation. Antarctica is colder than the Arctic because much of the continent is more than 3 kilometers (2 miles) above sea level, and because the Arctic Ocean covers the north polar zone transferring the ocean’s relative warmth through the icepack. Sea life of Antarctica include penguins, blue whales, orcas, and seals.

6. Great Barrier Reef [SEE MAP]

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest system of coral reef in the world, stretching more than 3000 kilometers (1,900 miles). It is the only reef on Earth that can be seen from space and is the world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms. The reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms. The Great Barrier Reef also features a host of wildlife including green sea turtles, dolphins, whales, sea snakes and clown fish.

5. Grand Canyon [SEE MAP]

The Grand Canyon is located in northern Arizona and is one of the great tourist attractions in the United States. Carved over several million years by the Colorado River, the canyon attains a depth of over 1.6 km (1 mile) and 446 km (277 miles) long. The Grand Canyon is not the deepest or the longest canyon in the world but the overwhelming size and its intricate and colorful landscape offers visitor spectacular vistas that are unmatched throughout the world.

4. Iguazu Falls [SEE MAP]

One of the great natural wonders of the world, Iguaçu Falls is situated on the border between Brazil and Argentina. The waterfall system consists of 275 falls along the Iguazu River. The majority of the falls are about 64 meters (210 ft) in height. The most impressive of them all is the Devil’s Throat a U-shaped, 82 meter high (269 ft), 150 meter (492 ft) wide and 700 meter (2300 ft) long waterfall.

3. Amazon [SEE MAP]

The Amazon is the largest river in the world by volume, with a total river flow that accounts for approximately one-fifth of the world’s total. The river has over 3,000 recognized species of fish and new species are still being discovered. The Amazon Rainforest represents over half of the planet’s remaining rainforests. As the largest tropical rainforest it has has an unparalleled biodiversity. One in ten known species in the world live in the Amazon Rainforest.

2. Galapagos Islands [SEE MAP]

The Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of volcanic islands belonging to Ecuador in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The islands are quite remote and isolated, lying some 1000 km (620 miles) west of the South American continent. The archipelago is world renowned for its unique island ecosystem which was the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection. Seeing the amazing sites and wildlife is best done by joining a boat tour. Booking a Galapagos Islands cruise with a company in your home country is usually the most convenient, but is often more expensive. There are also a lot of companies that can book Galapagos Islands tours either in Puerto Ayora or from Guayaquil or Quito.

1. Serengeti [SEE MAP]

The Serengeti ecosystem is located in northwestern Tanzania and extends to southwestern Kenya. The region hosts the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet and one of the most breathtaking events in the animal kingdom. African safari tours follow the one million wildebeest and 200,000 zebra that make a 500 kilometer (310 miles) round trip from the Southern Serengeti in Tanzania to the northern edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The Great Migration is probably Africa’s greatest safari spectacle and the most exceptional natural wonder of the world.

A Guide to the 7 Natural Wonders of the World

Written by Lana Law
May 4, 2020

The Earth offers spectacular natural wonders that only a small percentage of people will ever see in their lifetime. A global popularity poll announced seven provisional winners that outrank other splendid sights. These 7 natural wonders of the world include the Northern Lights, the Grand Canyon, Paricutin, Mount Everest, Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Victoria Falls, and the Great Barrier Reef.

Many of these naturally-formed displays require an aerial view to capture the vastness of each phenomenon. Avid explorers, daredevils, backpackers, expatriates, and tourists should place these 7 natural wonders on their bucket lists.

1. The Northern Lights: Aurora Borealis

Northern Lights over Norway

The Northern Lights have become a sensation for tourists traveling in the Northern Hemisphere. The Northern Lights are auroras, or naturally occurring phenomena that consist of mystifying displays of light in the sky. The northern lights dance across the sky and emanate a diffused glow along the northern horizon.

The intensity of northern lights increases as you head north towards the magnetic pole in the Arctic. Unfortunately, the northern lights appear only randomly, making it a challenge for travelers to see while on a short trip. They are more often experienced by locals who live in these northern regions.

Planning a trip to the see the northern lights presents a variety of options for interesting destinations around the world. The best places to see the northern lights are in the far part of the Northern Hemisphere, including Canada’s far north, Alaska, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

The probability of seeing Northern Lights increases during the winter months. They occur throughout the year but the dark skies in winter make them easier to see.

2. The Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon | Photo Copyright: Lana Law

You only need to stand on the rim of the Grand Canyon once to know why it’s one of the 7 natural wonders of the natural world. The Grand Canyon’s massive and colorful landscape provides breathtaking views that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

Most visitors head to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and spend a full day admiring the views from the overlooks that stretch along the top of the canyon. If you are in good shape and want to have a more immersive experience, head down into the canyon on one of the numerous hiking trails. For something a little less strenuous, take a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon for an unforgettable lifetime experience.

If you are interested in the formation and geology of the canyon, stop in at the Geological Museum to learn about what you are seeing. From Lipan Point along Desert View Drive, you can get a great view of the rock layers in the canyon wall.

The Grand Canyon is located in Arizona, USA. The closest major cities are Las Vegas and Phoenix.

3. Paricutin

Paricutin

Even avid travelers may not know about Paricutin, mainly because this natural wonder resides in MichoacГЎn, Mexico. This cinder cone volcano was named one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, even over famous volcanoes, such as Yellowstone.

Paricutin last erupted in 1952. It was coined one of the natural wonders of the world because mankind witnessed its birth and rapidly growing formation. You can venture on a twelve-mile round-trip to the peak of the volcano, either by hiking or horseback. Hikers will walk through sandy banks and lava fields surrounding the volcano.

You can explore Paricutin at any time of the year. It’s located about a seven-hour drive from Mexico City. Combine a trip to the volcano with a visit to the capital city for a bit of nature and culture all in one. Accommodation near the volcano can be found in the city of Urapan.

4. Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is located in Africa along the borders of Zambia and Zimbabwe. This spectacular waterfall runs off from the Zambezi River.

Visitors can access the falls from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Livingston in Zambia. Cross the border to gain different perspectives of this magnificent natural wonder. The best views are from Zimbabwe, but you can get a closer experience from Zambia. Helicopter tours and microlight tours are another great way to see the falls. If you are brave, consider a swim in the Devil’s Pool, located pretty much at the edge of the falls on the Zambia side

The rainy season runs from late November through early April. A good time to visit is immediately after this, when the volume of water coming over the falls is still immense, but the weather is pleasant.

Getting to Victoria Falls is easy whether you choose to fly into Zambia or Zimbabwe. The airport in Zambia, Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI), is closer and the more popular of the two. Most people fly into Johannesburg and then fly out from there to the falls. Be sure to keep an eye on your baggage weight, as the smaller planes flying into these airports have lower limits.

5. Mount Everest

Mount Everest

Mount Everest has an approximate elevation of 29,029 feet. Mountaineers consider this mountain the highest spot on Earth; however, it is not the tallest mountain in the world, a title that belongs to Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Everest lies within the Himalayan mountain range on the border of Nepal and Tibet, China.

If you don’t want to climb Mt. Everest, you still have options. Visitors can schedule a flight around the mountain for an awe-inspiring aerial view. Adventurous trekkers can hike to base camp to fully experience Mount Everest’s landscape. Alternatively, you can capture a distant view of the peak from the comfort of a lodge at a hill station in Nepal.

6. Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef

As the world’s largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef includes over 900 islands, roughly 3,000 separate reefs, and sustains a diverse ecosystem. Measuring approximately 2,300 kilometers in length, it covers an immense area of the ocean, much of it a long way offshore.

Boat trips and excursions offer visitors a chance to experience the highlights of the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkeling or dive trips can be arranged, and provide opportunities to see colorful fish, coral, and marine life. Tours can be day trips or multi-day excursions. Popular destinations from which to explore the reef include Cairns, Port Douglas, and the Whitsunday Islands.

7. Harbor of Rio de Janeiro

Harbor of Rio de Janeiro

The Harbor of Rio de Janeiro is surrounded by granite mountains and pinnacles covered in greenery. Iconic sights surrounding the harbor include Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the Tijuca hills.

The traditional way of seeing this natural wonder is to travel via the rack railway to Tijuca National Park. This takes you to the uppermost region, where the statue of Christo Redentor stands atop one of the granite peaks that overlooks the harbor. From the viewing platforms, soak up the spectacular views of the beautiful beaches below you and the mountains in the distance.

For a jaw-dropping experience, explore the Harbor of Rio de Janeiro on a helicopter flight to capture a breathtaking aerial view.

More Wonders of the World

The above list covers only natural wonders. A number of compiled lists exist from classical antiquity to the present day that catalog the world’s most amazing wonders, including man-made structures. Some of these ancient sights, many of them lost for various reasons over time, include the Great Pyramid of Giza, Statue of Zeus at Olympia (lost), the Colossus of Rhodes (lost), and the Lighthouse of Alexandria (lost).

Other no less spectacular sights from around the globe include some of the most fantastic World Heritage Sites. A few of the more well-known ones include Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Machu Picchu in Peru, Tikal in Guatemala, and the Taj Mahal in India.

An international non-profit organization named CEDAM International produced the 7 wonders of the underwater world that includes Palau, Lake Baikal, the Northern Red Sea, the Galapagos Islands, and the Deep-Sea Vents. The 7 wonders of the industrial world include the SS Great Eastern, Brooklyn Bridge, Panama Canal, and the Hoover Dam.

If you’re looking for more inspiration to guide your travels, the top tourist attractions in the world may be just the answer.

The 7 Natural Wonders Of The World

When thinking of the wonders of the world, the Great Pyramids or the Colosseum may spring into mind. While unmistakeably incredulous, the list below describes the wonders that Mother Nature created at her own will to enchant and put humans in awe at the mere sight of these wonders. From mountain peaks to waterfalls, underwater marvels and dazzling sky optics, each natural wonder highlights a different aspect of the beauty of Earth’s natural world.

The 7 Natural Wonders Of The World

The official list of the 7 Natural Wonders was compiled by CNN, the broadcasting network in collaboration with the Seven Natural Wonders organisation.

Mount Everest

When thinking of some of the most impressive natural landscapes in the world, it is impossible not to think of Mount Everest. Mount Everest is known as the tallest peak on Earth and measures 8,848.86 meters tall. Generally, people think of it as the tallest mountain in the world, but that isn’t quite accurate. Mauna Kea, in Hawaii, is actually a taller mountain, but much of it is underwater, and thus it does not have the tallest peak ‘above sea level.’ This is why Everest is generally considered to be the overall tallest, as it is much easier to see and comprehend the sheer size of the mountain and its summit.

Mount Everest is part of the Himalayan mountain range, and is located along the China(Tibetan)-Nepal border. The official border line actually runs across the summit of the mountain, meaning it technically belongs to both countries. The English name, Everest, is named after George Everest, who was a surveyor of India. The Nepali term for the mountain peak is Sagarmatha, and in Tibet it is known as Chomolungma, which roughly translates to “Mother Goddess of the World.”

Paricutin Volcano

The Paricutin Volcano.

Another one of the natural wonders of the world is Parícutin. It is a cinder cone volcano which can be found in Michoacán, Mexico. The cone has only really existed as it is since 1943, when it surged up out of the ground in a relatively flat corn field, making it the youngest volcano in the Northern Hemisphere. At the time that it surged, it also erupted, and continued to erupt over a period of 9 years. Now, the volcano is considered to be dormant, and is popular as a tourist attraction. Visitors are able to climb the volcanic peak and view the hardened lava flows, including encased ruins of the San Juan Parangaricutiro Church.

The Grand Canyon

A spectacular view of the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon is a striking canyon located in Arizona, United States. The canyon was formed by the natural erosion of rock and soil by the Colorado River, over the period of billions of years. The canyon is stunning not only for its deep rust-red colours, and the visible layers of rock and sediment that can be seen throughout its cliff walls, but mainly it is impressive for its size and depth.

The Grand Canyon is aptly named, as it measures some 446 kilometers in length, up to 29 kilometers wide at its widest point, and a whopping 1.8 kilometers deep. The magnitude of the canyon is awe inspiring, but the age is also astounding, as the phenomenon reveals millions of years of geological history. Many visitors choose simply to gaze at the sight, but it is also possible to hike along the top of the canyon cliff, in the ravine, or raft and boat in the river below.

Victoria Falls

Aerial view of the Victoria Falls.

The falls are located along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, in southern Africa, and are formed by the Zambezi River. Tourists come from all over the world to see the spectacular natural wonder, and witness the 500 million literes of water which cascade over the cliff edge every minute. Visitors can view the falls from vantage points, or more adventurous travellers can swim in the river right up to the fall’s edge (in low season) and even bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge.

The Harbor Of Rio de Janeiro

The Guanabara Bay.

The Harbor of Rio de Janeiro can be found in the southeast of Brazil. Also known as Guanabara Bay, it is the world’s largest natural bay, based on volume, and that is why it is classified as one of the seven Natural Wonders of the world. The bay is a huge expanse of water, which is surrounded by granite rock formations and monoliths which add to the striking visual appeal of the area.

Though the harbor has also become a massive hub of human activity, from the city of Rio to public beaches such as copacabana and an active harbor, the natural beauty of the bay remains, and it is clear to any visitors that the region is a true natural beauty.

Great Barrier Reef

Aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world. It is made up of 2,900 smaller reef sections and 900 islands which together make up some 2,300 kilometers of reef across 344,400 square kilometres of ocean. These reefs, or reef system, is located in the fittingly named Coral Sea, which is off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

The reef contains a huge variety of coral, fish and marine species, from plantlife and tiny aquatic organisms to sharks, turtles and rays. This region has historically been one of the most biologically diverse areas, and the array of colours and life that can be found here is remarkable.

Visitors and tourists come from all over the world to marvel at the reefs and the sea life that lives among them, diving and snorkelling amongst the forests of coral and reef. Though tourism and climate change have had negative affects on the reef, conservation efforts hope to protect this beautiful and delicate habitat to ensure the world does not lose this amazing natural wonder.

Northern Lights

A man enjoying the view of the spectacular Northern lights.

Generally the northern lights can be seen more clearly and frequently closer to the Arctic Circle. Polar regions have some of the most phenomenal displays, especially as light pollution from cities is virtually nonexistent there. However, the aurora can be seen in several countries including the US state of Alaska, large sections of northern Canada, as well as Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and Finland.

Each of the seven wonders offers a different look at a natural phenomenon that has occurred or continues to occur on Earth. By reflecting on these wonders, we can help to appreciate the beauty around us, as well as marvel at the stunning natural phenomena around the world.

Top 10 Natural Wonders of the World

What are top 10 Natural Wonders of the World? Our world is full of wonders. From the evolution of Human life to till date, People are busy in exploring these wonders. Many of them are still hidden and undiscovered yet. These spectacular structures always inspires us and shows us that there is a a power who created all these mighty things.

Compiling a list of top 10 natural wonders of the world is never an easy task because various lists of the Wonders of the World have been compiled from ancient to the present day, to catalog the most spectacular natural wonders and man-made structures.

Similar to the other lists of wonders, there is no consensus on a list of ten natural wonders of the world, and there has been a debate over how large the list should be. We did our best to compile this top 10 natural wonders of the world in a list. Hope you will like it. How many of them you have visited? Have a read and enjoy!

What are the original 7 natural wonders of the world? Below is the list of natural wonders everyone should see in their lifetime.

10. Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. The site’s outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by many nature lovers.

The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. The limestone in this bay has gone through 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments. The evolution of the karst in this bay has taken 20 million years under the impact of the tropical wet climate.

Ha Long Bay is home to 14 endemic floral species and 60 endemic faunal species. Historical research surveys have shown the presence of prehistorical human beings in this area tens of thousands years ago.

9. Table Mountain

Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa. It is one of the New natural Wonders of the world. It is a significant tourist attraction, and also one of the top natural wonders of the world; with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top.

8. Puerto Princesa Underground River

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is one of the most distinguished protected areas of the Philippines. It is located some 360 miles southwest of Manila. It was established as a National Park in 1971; primarily to protect and preserve the intact old growth forest, interesting wildlife, pristine white sand beaches, unspoiled natural beauty and one of the most impressive caves systems in the world.

7. Jeju Island

Jejudo is a volcanic island, 130 km from the southern coast of Korea. The largest island and smallest province in Korea, the island has a surface area of 1,846 sqkm. The island contains the natural World Heritage Site Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes. A central feature of Jeju is Hallasan, the tallest mountain in South Korea and a dormant volcano, which rises 1,950 m above sea level.

6. Parícutin

Parícutin (volcano) is a cinder cone volcano in the Mexican state of Michoacán. The volcano is unique in the fact that its evolution from creation to extinction was witnessed, observed and studied by human beings. It appears on many versions of the Natural Wonders of the World. Parícutin is part of the Michoacán-Guanajuato volcanic field, which covers much of west central Mexico. It is part of the Ring of Fire.

5. Iguazu Falls

The Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s throat) with its U-shape is undoubtedly the highlight of these majestic waterfalls. It is 82 metres high, 150 metres wide and 700 metres long, while the rest of the falls average 64 metres. Iguazu Falls has long been one of Argentina and Brazil’s most popular touristic destinations. Over 2000 species of plants, 400 of birds and 70 mammals have been registered in the area.

4. Aurora

One of the greatest natural wonders, Aurora. The auroras, also known as the Northern Lights, are naturally occurring lights that create intriguing and spectacular displays in the sky. The aurora lights frequently appear as diffused glow lighting up the horizon. The most amazing sight is when the northern lights appears as waves across the sky; it is almost as if the lights are dancing.

3. Mount Everest

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world with the summit reaching a peak of 29,029 feet (8,848 m). It is located in the Himalayan mountain range on the border between Nepal and Tibet, China. Mt. Everest has a great deal of history behind it. It was named after Sir George Everest, surveyor-general of India.

On May 28, 1953 Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were left behind by their companions. They hoped to be the first to climb the world’s highest mountain. The next day they became the first people in the world to climb Mount Everest.

2. Great Barrier Reef

Located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The great barrier reef is also the world’s largest individual formation created by living organisms. As the largest coral reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef includes over 900 islands, over 2,900 separate reefs, and supports one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. It is possible one of the grandest natural wonders of the world. It is the only wonder of nature that may be visible recognized from outer space.

1. Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of the most remarkable natural wonders of the world. Located in the state of Arizona, USA, it is one of the deepest gorges on Earth with an average depth of one mile (1.6km) and an average width of ten miles (16km). The canyon was carved over the past 6 million years by the action of the Colorado River as it drops over 2,200 feet (670m) along the 277-mile (446 km) length of the gorge.

For thousands of years, the area has been continuously inhabited by Native Americans who built settlements within the canyon and its many caves. The Pueblo people considered the Grand Canyon a holy site and made pilgrimages to it.

The original seven wonders of the world are;

The seven wonders of modern world are;

Seven Natural Wonders of the World

In 1997, CNN announced a listing of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

The new seven wonders of the world are;

On July 7, 2007, based on online voting from around the world, a new set of the Seven Wonders of the World announced…

Is Niagara Falls one of the 7 natural wonders of the world?

According to the National Geographic Society, there are no official seven natural wonders of the world. Therefore, Niagara Falls is not on any special list.

25 Amazing Natural Wonders of the World

Our wonderful planet is home to some extraordinary natural wonders, which have formed over millions and millions of years due to volcanic action, water and wind erosion, and other forces. Beyond our coastlines lie yet more offshore wonders, like the Galapagos Islands, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Great Blue Hole of Belize. We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1. Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

In a country that is liberally dotted with volcanoes, Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano is one of the most impressive. Arenal is a stratovolcano, meaning that it adheres to the typical symmetrical cone shape that one associates with a volcano, and at 5,437 feet it towers very impressively over the surrounding landscape. After a long dormant period, Arenal erupted violently in 1968, covering a vast area of over 15km in lava, rocks, and ash. For several years after this dramatic eruption, Arenal regularly lit up the sky with smaller eruptions and has become a popular tourist attraction. The impressive volcano is surrounded by Arenal Volcano National Park, where you can go hiking in the rainforest, enjoy canopy tours and repelling adventures, or relax in a natural geothermal hot spring.

2. Bay of Fundy, Canada

Considered to be one of the seven natural wonders of North America, the Bay of Fundy is located approximately halfway between the equator and the North Pole on the remarkably picturesque east coast of Canada. What makes this particular bay so special is that it is subject to the highest tides on Earth (a difference of over 50 feet between high tide and low tide), which have been responsible for carving dramatic rocky outcrops, sea caves, and towering cliffs. The area is also renowned for its Triassic-age dinosaur fossils as well as unusual minerals and gemstones. The bay attracts large numbers of rare whales (whale watching tours in the Aquarium Zone are very popular from May to October) as well as a huge number of migratory seabirds. Kayak tours are an ideal way to explore this natural wonder.

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3. Great Belize Blue Hole, Belize

Located approximately 60 miles off the mainland of Belize, the Great Belize Blue Hole is a large underwater sinkhole near the center of Lighthouse Reef. The Blue Hole measures about 900 feet in diameter, making it the largest formation of its kind in the world. The Blue Hole (which forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Barrier Reef Reserve System) is more than 400 feet deep and is arguably one of the best scuba diving destinations in the region. Divers can expect to see some really unique underwater landscapes and a huge variety of marine life, including many species of shark, giant groupers, and much more. Day trips usually include one dive in the Blue Hole and two other reef dives.

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Our experts’ top picks for a long weekend getaway: WA, Charleston, New England, Cleveland, San Diego

4. Natural Wonders of the World: The Galapagos Islands

The world-renowned Galapagos archipelago is located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,000 km off the coast of Ecuador. The remote islands are one of the world’s premier wildlife viewing destinations and feature on many an adventurer’s bucket list. Because the islands are home to such an exceptional diversity of wildlife, much of which is found nowhere else on earth, tourism is very carefully controlled to protect the fragile environment. The waters around the islands are home to a vast collection of marine life, which makes scuba diving in the area one of the highlights of any visit. You can either explore the islands on a live-aboard boat or choose to island-hop from one inhabited island to another and do day-trips to the more remote uninhabited islands.

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5. Wonders of the World: Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Located in County Antrim on the scenic north coast of Northern Island, the Giant’s Causeway is an area of over 40,000 adjacent basalt columns that were created by a series of ancient volcanic eruptions. What makes these remarkably “stepping stones” so special is that each and every one of them is symmetrical and interlocking, as though they were carefully set in place by a giant hand. You can learn more about the 60-million-year formation of the causeway at the visitor’s center, where you can view an interactive audiovisual presentation before setting off to explore the site. Thousands of years of natural erosion have polished many of the stones to a smooth finish and you are advised to wear sturdy walking shoes.

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6. Natural Wonders of the World: Glencoe, Scotland

Beautiful Glencoe is a very scenic valley in Argyllshire, Scotland, and is named for the River Coe which runs through it. Back in 1692 the valley was the site of a devastating massacre of the MacDonald clan by the Campbells and the English, but today’s visitors can expect to find a very peaceful, beautiful, and historic valley surrounded by superb mountains that are part of the Western Highlands. It is an idyllic region for mountaineering and hiking and visitors can also enjoy a wide selection of watersports on the River Etive. If you’re not up to hiking, you can visit the Glencoe Mountain Ski Resort and take a chair lift up to one of the viewpoints. Other enjoyable activities include guided walks, Segway and Land Rover tours, and a great deal more.

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7. Natural Wonders of the World: The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

As one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef occupies a prominent position on many people’s must-see wish lists. Just imagine – the world’s largest reef, made up of over 3,000 individual reef systems, hundreds of perfect tropical islands, and some of the best beaches in the world, all nestled in crystal-clear azure waters. The reef system is home to an exceptional diversity of marine life and attracts millions of visitors, who come to enjoy an unbeatable marine experience. Apart from scuba diving and snorkeling you can also observe the marine bounty from a glass-bottomed boat or semi-submersible or go whale watching, swimming with dolphins, sailing, and island-hopping. Most popular coastal departure points include Cairns, Port Douglas, Rockhampton, and Townsville.

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8. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Beautiful Ha Long Bay (Bay of Descending Dragons) is located in northern Vietnam, approximately 100 miles east of the city of Hanoi. Nothing quite prepares you for the dramatic scenery encountered in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is often included as one of the natural wonders of the world. The enormous bay is liberally dotted (there are nearly 2,000) with unique limestone karsts, which rise majestically from the sea, many of them covered in dense forestation and hiding extensive sea caves. The best way to see as much of this magical bay as possible is to take a bay cruise (day trip or overnight) on a traditional “junk” boat. It is also possible to island-hop between the inhabited islands and to visit some of the remarkable caves.

9. Iguazu Falls, Brazil-Argentina

Iguazu Falls are without doubt one of the world’s most impressive natural wonders, located on the border between Brazil and Argentina. The impressive waterfalls span an awesome 1.7-mile width, broken up by several islands, which causes the mighty curtain of water to separate into hundreds of individual waterfalls and cataracts, which vary in height between 170 and 260 feet. The waterfalls are shared between Iguazu National Park (Argentina) and Iguacu National Park in Brazil, both of which are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On the Argentinean side, you can access the falls using the Rainforest Ecological Train, while on the Brazilian side there is a canyon walkway and scenic helicopter flights are available for a bird’s-eye view.

10. Natural Wonders of the World: Jeju Island, Korea

Jeju Island is a volcanic island located off the coast of the Korean Peninsula that has received UNESCO World Heritage Status for its outstanding natural assets, which include the finest lava tube system on the planet. In addition to the remarkable Manjanggul Lava Tube Cave, which has multi-colored carbonate roofs, floors, and lava walls, the island is home to Mount Hallasan, the tallest mountain in Korea, which boasts waterfalls, forests, and a lake-filled crater. You can learn all about the remarkable geology of the island on a guided day tour from Seoul, or spend a little longer on the island and visit Mount Halla National Park, where you can hike along a very scenic 9-mile shaded forest trail.

11. Natural Wonders of the World: Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Towering majestically over the surrounding Tanzanian landscape, mighty Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain on the African continent. The mountain is composed of three dormant volcanic peaks, the highest of which is Kibo peak, which reaches an impressive altitude of over 19,000 feet above sea level. The mountain is a renowned trekking and mountaineering destination and visitors come from all over the world to rise to the challenge of reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest summit on the rim of the Kibo Crater. The mountain is surrounded by Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and at lower altitudes trekkers may come across elephant, buffalo, and many other smaller animals. Many visitors who come to see Mount Kilimanjaro will combine their visit with a Big Five Safari in one or more of the nearby national parks and reserves.

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39 of the Most Breathtaking Natural Wonders in the World

T o point out that the world is full of wonders is hardly a revelation, whether you’re talking about ancient or modern marvels, feats of architecture and engineering, or geologic and natural wonders that take your breath away with their beauty. So that’s why it’s surprising that so many lists limit their wonders of the natural world to the single digits. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of natural wonders, incorporating places nominated on other top lists as well as places our editorial team thinks are the most beautiful and impressive on the planet.

From African deserts to European volcanoes to rare phenomena occurring across the globe, here are 39 of the planet’s most spectacular natural wonders of the world.

The new seven natural wonders of the world

Back in 2000, the New7Wonders Foundation decided to reboot the seven wonders of the world concept so that the places on the list were actually still standing, organizing a global poll to determine what the new wonders would be. In light of the campaign’s success, the foundation decided to tally another set of votes, which totaled over 500 million, to name the new Seven Wonders of Nature. Here’s the final list:

The Amazon River

One of the most impressive water bodies on Earth, the Amazon is the longest river in South America at over 4,000 miles and has the largest drainage system on the planet, discharging roughly 7,4000,000 cubic feet per second. Whether or not the Nile is, in fact, longer is a point of contention for some as debates rage over the Amazon’s true headwaters.

Surrounding the river’s drainage basin, the Amazon Rainforest is just as impressive, stretching out over nine different countries and roughly 40 percent of Brazil’s land mass. With all that space, it’s no wonder the South American rainforest plays host to more species than any other bioreserve on the planet, including countless species that have yet to be recorded.

Jeju Island

Jeju Island is a volcanic island and province of South Korea that sits to the south of the peninsula between South Korea and Japan. It’s where you’ll find the Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, including both the extensive Geomunoreum lava system and Mount Hallasan (the highest mountain in South Korea).

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam is a popular tourist destination thanks to its gorgeous limestone karsts and floating fishing village. The landscape formed by its 1,600-2,000 islands and islets, most of them uninhabited, is just spectacular. Thanks to these unusual landforms, many of them still unaffected by human impact, the area became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.

Iguazu Falls

The famous Iguazu Falls straddles the Iguazu River on the border between Argentina and Brazil. Its name, Iguazu, means “big water” in Guarani, and it seems appropriate — made of 275 waterfalls, it’s the largest waterfall system in the world. The tallest of these waterfalls, where approximately half of the river’s flow falls, is called the Devil’s Throat — a long, narrow, U-shaped chasm whose thunderous sound visitors never forget.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is located on the Philippine Island of Palawan and leads into a cave that you can take boat tours through. It was impressive enough as it was, but in 2010, a group of environmentalists discovered the river has a second floor, so there are small waterfalls inside the cave. As the river emerges directly into the sea, its lower portion is subject to tidal influences.

Komodo Island

Komodo Island is part of the Indonesian archipelago and is famous for being home to komodo dragons, in Komodo National Park. Its history also makes it a special place as its inhabitants (around 2,000, compared to the island’s 5,700 remaining Komodo dragons) are said to be descendants of former convicts who were exiled to the island in the 19th century by a sultan in Sumbawa. Also found on the island is Pink Sand Beach, one of the world’s best destinations for snorkeling and diving when the island is open to visitors.

Table Mountain

Table Mountain is a famous landmark that towers over Cape Town, South Africa. There are some great views of the city from the top (accessible via a hiking trail and cableway). Its main feature is a level plateau that stretches approximately two miles from side to side, edged by impressive cliffs. It’s also a cool place to practice some cloud watching — from afar — as the plateau is often covered by the famous tablecloth clouds.

Other wonders of the natural world nominations

While the wonders below didn’t make the final list with the New7Wonders foundation, they’re arguably just as impressive, and you’ll find them nominated on many a list of potential new additions.

The Great Barrier Reef

Australia’s famous, gigantic barrier reef is sadly at risk of being destroyed by climate change, overfishing, and tourism. Coral bleaching is more widespread than previously thought, and scientists have admitted this great wonder is at a terminal stage and in desperate need of humans to alter their behavior. It’d be a sad end for the largest natural structure inthe world.

The Grand Canyon

The famous, massive canyon cut by the Colorado River through Arizona is one of the few wonders that belongs on every iteration of this list. At 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and attaining a depth of over a mile, it’s not the longest nor the steepest canyon in the world, but its overall scale combined with the beautifully colored landscape makes it one of the most amazing natural wonders. The Colorado River has been carving this canyon over the course of, according to several studies, five to six million years.

Harbor of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil’s most famous city fills in the spaces between the surrounding mountains and the ocean, making it one of the most beautiful cities on Earth. Above it all, it’s watched over by the Christ the Redeemer statue — one of the regularly cited man-made wonders of the world.

Mount Everest

Everest’s peak is 29,035 feet above sea level, or at least it was. Nepal’s earthquake in 2015 is believed to have clipped the mountain’s height, so India and Nepal are about to measure it afresh. For the sake of counting these, if you’ve seen Mount Everest, located on the border of Nepal and Tibet, you’ve been to it. You don’t have to have made it to the summit.

Nighttime aurorae

The aurora (also known as the aurora borealis, northern lights in the north, and aurora australis in the south) is caused by the collision of solar winds with Earth’s magnetosphere and can be viewed from pretty much anywhere within certain latitudes, depending on the visibility and severity of the geomagnetic storms.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls — on the Zambezi River between Zimbabwe and Zambia — is the largest waterfall by volume in the world at over 5,500 feet wide and 355 feet high. Its local name in Tokaleya Tonga is Mosi-oa-Tunya, which literally means “the smoke that thunders,” gives a perfect explanation of what you’ll feel if you get close to it.

Paricutín volcano

Paricutín volcano in Mexico makes it on most lists just for the sheer bizarreness of its history. It was a cornfield in 1943 and then, in the span of a year, grew to a height of 11,475 feet. By the time the volcano’s eruptions ceased in 1952, its peak measured a whopping 9,210 feet above sea level. The villages around it are buried in lava, and only a church bell tower juts out from the rock.

Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake, which you may recognize from many a default screensaver, is one of the most beautiful — and busiest — places in Canada. Near Lake Louise, Moraine Lake shares the same distinctively blue water, caused by tiny rock particles from the nearby glaciers that float on the surface and reflect that brilliant blue color. If you want to visit, you’ll need to take a shuttle from Lake Louise Ski Resort. Try to get there as early as possible. If it’s too crowded, opt for the hike to a high-elevation at nearby Lake Louise, which looks down on the Victoria Glacier.

The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea, on the border of Jordan and Israel, is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world. So salty that you can famously float in it and that no macroscopic organisms can survive in it. It was one of the world’s first health resorts (for Herod the Great) and has supplied a wide variety of products, from asphalt for Egyptian mummification to potash for fertilizers. However, it’s receding at an alarming rate.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest mountain and, as it’s a dormant volcano, the tallest free-standing, or non-massif, mountain in the world. Since Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller reached its summit in 1889, it has remained a popular climbing destination. It has also been the subject of many scientific studies because of its shrinking glaciers.

Jeita Grotto

The Jeita Grotto is a series of karst caves in Lebanon that was inhabited in prehistoric times and is now a major cultural symbol of the nation, not to mention a practical one considering it supplies drinking water to over a million Lebanese people.

Masurian Lake District

This well-connected system of lakes (comprising over 2,000) in Poland is a popular European vacation spot. Connected by rivers and canals, the lakes form an extensive system of waterways surrounded by large forests and historic towns. It’s a great destination if you like water sports like sailing or windsurfing, as well as activities such as hiking, fishing, and kayaking.

The Sundarbans

The Sundarbans — mostly in Bangladesh, though partially in easterm India — is one of the world’s largest tidal mangrove forests, and it’s famous for also being one of the largest Bengal tiger reserves. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987 on the Indian side and 1997 on the Bangladesh side, it covers 140,000 hectares and is home to a wide range of wild fauna, including 260 bird species and other threatened species, such as the estuarine crocodile and Indian python.

Maldives

Kudos to the Maldives for getting the entire country on the list. The Maldives is a series of coral atolls in the Indian Ocean, and if climate change raises sea levels by even a little bit, it will no longer exist — the nation’s highest point is only about seven feet and 10 inches off the water (it’s the world’s lowest country). Its waters are home to several ecosystems, including 187 species of vibrant hard coral. This area of the Indian Ocean alone houses 1,100 species of fish, five species of sea turtles, 21 species of whales and dolphins, 400 species of mollusks, and 83 species of echinoderms.

Angel Falls

The world’s tallest uninterrupted waterfall (at 3,212 feet) is in the jungles of Venezuela and undoubtedly one of the best natural wonders of the world, whether it’s on a list or not. It was not known to the outside world until American aviator Jimmie Angel, following directions given by the explorer Félix Cardona who had seen the waterfall six years before, flew over Angel Falls on November 16, 1933. The falls are named after him.

Bay of Fundy

Canada’s Bay of Fundy is famous for having the highest tidal ranges in the world, with an incredible maximum of 53 feet (though the highest water level ever recorded was a whopping 71 feet in 1869). It’s also a popular whale-watching destination — 12 species of whales, including the rare right whale, call the Bay of Fundy home each summer and fall.

The Black Forest

Germany’s famous Black Forest is famously dense and dark, but it’s also home to the cuckoo clock, charming little towns, and fairytale castles. It’s the place where Hansel and Gretel had their encounter with the witch and where Little Red Riding Hood was followed by the wolf.

The Cliffs of Moher

Western Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher are one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. And for good reason. The cliffs hug the Atlantic Ocean for roughly five miles and, at their tallest, tower around 700 feet over the sea. Not just popular with people, the Cliffs of Moher also provide a habitat for more than 20 different types of seabirds, including puffins and peregrine falcons.

El Yunque

Stretching a modest 29,000 acres, El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System and just a short drive east of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Within the park are opportunities to swim in waterfall pools, rare species of tree frogs called coqui frogs, and excellent hikes through some of the lushest forest in the US. It’s easy to take a day trip from San Juan, but there are plenty of ecolodges and boutique hotels in nearby towns like Fajardo or Ceiba if you think you’ll want to stay for a few days.

The Galapagos Islands

Among the natural wonders, the Galapagos Islands are perhaps most famous for their biological diversity, which informed Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking theory of evolution by natural selection. Among the islands’ most iconic inhabitants are the giant tortoise, blue-footed booby, Galapagos albatross, Santa Fe land iguana, and Galapagos fur seal. Together, all of the species that visitors are most eager to see are known as the Big 15, a play on Africa’s Big Five safari animals.

The Matterhorn

The Matterhorn, which rises to 14,692 feet between Italy and Switzerland, is considered one of the most difficult mountains to climb in the world, particularly from the Italian side. While expert rock climbers may be able to summit it, for everyone else, the best way to see it is to take the Matterhorn Gondola from Zermatt. Though if the weather is really nice, you’ll be able to see the Matterhorn from various vantage points around town.

Milford Sound

Rudyard Kipling called this fiord on New Zealand’s South Island the “eighth wonder of the world.” To see it for yourself, venture out to the northernmost part of Fiordland National Park. While there, snap a photo of the nation’s famous Mitre Peak, conveniently located on the shores of the sound. The drive from Queensland to the park takes about two hours, and the two options for basecamps with lodging and restaurants are the towns of Te Anau and Manapouri. You’ll also find three of New Zealand’s Great Walks in the vicinity.

Mud volcanoes of Azerbaijan

A mud volcano is exactly what it sounds like: a volcano-shaped mud buildup caused by geothermal pressure. It’s not a volcano in the lava/Dante’s Peak sense, but it’s still amazing cool (and pretty rare). Azerbaijan is home to between 350 and 400 mud volcanoes, more than any other country in the world (and half of the world’s total). They’re mostly in and around Gobustan (also spelled Quobustan) National Park, about an hour outside the capital city of Baku.

Uluru

Australia’s Uluru (or Ayer’s Rock) ranks among the continent’s most recognizable natural wonders icons, rising up over the arid Red Centre near Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. The Anangu people, one of the oldest human societies in the world, are the traditional and current custodians of Uluru.

Vesuvius

As impressive as this Italian volcano near Naples is as a geographical landmark, Mount Vesuvius is most famous for its violent history, which includes the destruction of Pompeii and neighboring Herculaneum in 79 AD. If you’re in Rome, you can do a day trip to the site as well as the Antiquarium, where most of the relics and remains from the towns are on display. By the way, you can hike to the top and look into the crater, but keep in mind it’s an active volcano. So if you see headlines saying there have been a few ground tremors in the area recently, maybe re-think your hike.

Yushan

Yushan is Taiwan’s tallest mountain, sometimes referred to as Jade Mountain. It’s surrounded by a national park of the same name where hikers will find several scenic routes to explore. The trek to the summit is rather arduous at 15 miles and a 6,110-foot gain, and you’ll need to make a reservation to stay at Paiyun Lodge — the only option for sleeping along the route — at least four months in advance. If you don’t plan to hike to the summit, you can get great views of Yushan from almost anywhere within the eponymous Yushan National Park.

Yellowstone National Park

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to see Yellowstone National Park — America’s first national park — on this list. The Yellowstone Caldera supervolcano and surrounding Yellowstone National Park represent one of the most striking landscapes in the world. Pictured above is the Grand Prismatic Spring, one of more than 500 geysers (and roughly 10,000 various geothermal features).

The Sahara Desert

The Sahara is the world’s hottest desert, having been known to reach temperatures of 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer, and it’s the largest desert outside the polar regions. It spans most of northern Africa, stretching across 10 countries and the disputed territory of Western Sahara. One of the easiest ways to walk through the Sahara is to book a multi-day trip from Fes or Marrakech in Morocco, which usually includes other stops along the way as it’s roughly a nine-hour drive to Merzouga, the gateway town for the Sahara.

Salar de Uyuni

Bolivia’s salt flat is the world’s largest. During the rainy season, water collects on the ground creating a mirror-like effect, giving photographers something extra surreal to capture. As with many ancient natural wonders, there’s a legend behind it: there was a love triangle between three mountains in the area, and the one was was eventually left out cried so many salty tears that it created this lake.

Pando

Pando is a tree colony spread across more than 100 acres in Utah that’s actually a single organism, the largest in the world. It weighs around 13 million pounds and is also one of the oldest organisms on the planet. Unfortunately, the extensive quaking aspen grove is dying due to grazing wildlife and human encroachment.

Giant’s Causeway

Zhangjiajie

The stunning sandstone pillars of Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area’s Zhangjiajie looks like it belongs on Avatar’s Pandora rather than Earth. Luckily, visitors only have to travel as far as China’s Hunan Province to see this spectacular natural wonder for themselves.

This article about natural wonders was first published in 2014, updated in 2019, and again in 2022.

30 Natural Wonders of the World

Our planet never fails to amaze us with breathtaking landscapes. Crystal-clear waters, deep forests, magnificent mountains, and loft glaciers have always attracted thousands of visitors year after year.

Below we review 30 natural wonders of the world that are worth visiting.

Zhangjiajie, China

Zhangjiajie, China’s first national forest park, inspired “Avatar” makers to create magical floating Hallelujah Mountains. Sure enough, gigantic peaks, caves, and mesmerizing views make this place mysterious for visitors. The highest mountain in the park is Doupeng (1,890m).

The Grand Canyon, Arizona

This immense natural wonder was shaped by glaciers millions of years ago. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long. Alongside enjoying a stunning view, activities such as hiking and rafting along the Colorado River are popular among visitors.

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

One of the best scuba diving destinations, the Great Barrier Reef, is located on Australia’s east coast. It is stretched on more than 1,800 miles and covers more than 3,000 individual reefs. The ecosystem is also home to green sea turtles, whales, dugongs, and starfish.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay covers more than 1,500 limestone green islands. It developed around 500 million years ago and is located in Northeastern Vietnam’s Gulf of Tonkin. The bay is a popular destination for hikers and scuba divers.

Aurora Borealis, Iceland

Aurora Borealis is known for various names such as polar lights, southern lights, and northern lights. It is a natural, colorful dancing light near the Arctic Circle. Auroras form from colliding the solar wind ions with the atoms from the Earth’s atmosphere. As the solar wind strengthens, the auroras become more active.

Uluru, Australia

Uluru is a 348 meters stunning rock formation that dates back 550 million years. For the local community, the rock is sacred. Uluru changes colors and reflects purple, red, and orange hues of sunrise and sunset.

Niagara Falls, Canada

The most famous waterfall, Niagara, is a group of three separate waterfalls situated between Ontario province and New York state. The biggest fall is a horseshoe that drops 167 feet. Visitors can enjoy the mesmerizing view and venture beneath the falls by boat.

Lake Hillier, Australia

Lake Hillier situates on the largest island of Recherche Archipelago, Western Australia. The lake is notable for its pink color and the contrast it creates to the Indian Ocean. It received a unique color from specific bacteria living in the water that secretes red pigments.

Pamukkale, Turkey

In Turkish, the word Pamukkale translates to Cotton Castle. This place is located in Denizli, Turkey, and is known for mineral-rich travertine terraces of thermal waters. It neighbors an ancient Roman spa city, Hierapolis, where visitors can see theater and antique pools.

Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe

The largest waterfall in the world, Victoria Falls, is located in Zambezi National Park, western Zimbabwe. The park is home to elephants and white rhinos. Victoria Falls is two times wider and deeper than Niagara Falls. The sound of water is easy to hear from far away, and its mist can be seen from more than 30 miles away.

Paricutin, Mexico

Paricutin is a young volcano in Mexico that first erupted in 1943 and buried two villages in ash. The name means wonder as its development in a short period was witnessed by people. Over the years, it had risen to 7,480 feet and stopped erupting in 1952.

Socotra, Yemen

Socotra is simply a special place as it has unique life and landforms that can’t be found anywhere else on the planet. The island of continental origin is well known for dragon blood trees that are distinctive in their shape. The territory is a part of Yemen. Visitors can get there by ship routes.

Everest, border of Nepal and China

Everest, or as the locals say, Chomolungma (Goddess Mother of the World), is the tallest mountain on Earth. It stretches over 29,035 feet above the border of Nepal and China. The elevation of Everest is 8,849m. so ascending the peak is challenging. Only a few people manage to do it.

Perito Moreno, Argentina

Glaciers usually tend to melt fast in this region, but Perito Moreno remains the same for the last 100 years. Located in the Los Glaciares National Park, it is one of the visited places in Argentina. Since the 19th century, Perito Moreno has moved forward with at least 2,625 feet. It is supposed to accumulate more mass and survive the warming climate.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

The world’s largest flat salt, Salar de Uyuni, is located in Bolivia. It covers 4,086 square miles and involves white salt, cacti-studded islands, and rock formations. When nearby waters overflow, the place turns into mesmerizing reflective pools. It is more stunning to see when Salar de Uyuni harbors pink flamingos.

The Maldives, Indian Ocean

Pulpit Rock, Norway

Pulpit Rock is Norway’s iconic landmark that was named due to its shape. The rock is flat and almost perfectly square, 25 by 25 meters. After a 90 minute hike to the peak of Kjerag (604 meters), you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Lysefjord and its surrounding mountains.

Jeju Island Lava Tubes, South Korea

The volcanic island of Jeju is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The place covers the system of Geomunoreum lava tubes and coastal rock formations. Situated on the southern coast in South Korea, the island is accessible either by boat or air.

Angel Falls, Venezuela

With 979 meters in height, Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall in the world. The water drops on the Auyan-tepui mountain in the Canaima National Park in Venezuela. Locals call it Devil’s mountain. The place is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is reached by plane as the jungle surrounds Angel Falls.

The Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Ireland’s popular tourist destination, the Cliffs of Moher, stretches on five miles and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the massive landscapes, the cliffs have often been featured in movies such as Harry Potter, Leap year, and more.

Trango Towers, Pakistan

Trango Towers, one of the highest cliffs in the world, is a challenging place for climbers and base-jumpers. Many expeditions are conducted there during the year. The cliffs are more than 6,200 meters tall above sea level, and the granite is hard to climb. However, the place provides mesmerizing views, especially during sunrise and sunset.

Antelope Canyon, United States

Anyone would remember Antelope Canyon from stunning wallpapers and images on the internet. Located in Arizona, the place is known for narrow walkways and rare, wave-like patterns of sandstone walls.

The Navajo Parks and Recreation organization protects Antelope Canyon. So, visitors can see the canyon only if authorized tour companies accompany them.

The 7 Wonders Of The World

Collage of the 7 Wonders of the World

For centuries, human civilizations across the world have built and created cities, buildings, monuments, tombs, temples, churches, mosques, and other structures that continue to inspire awe in millions. Narrowing down the world’s wonders to only seven is a difficult task. Luckily, the New7Wonders Foundation took the initiative to compose a list of the «new» seven wonders of the world by narrowing down a list of 200 monuments from around the world, including some of the world’s most famous landmarks. 21 finalists were selected from this list, and the top seven were selected by popular vote.

Map showing the locations of the New7Wonders of the World.

The 7 wonders of the world are:

The Great Pyramid of Giza has also been added to the list. However, it is an honorary candidate and not one of the seven wonders.

Taj Mahal, India

Taj Mahal in India.

The Taj Mahal is well known across the world for its historical value, its tale of love, and its stunning beauty. The Taj Mahal is located in the historic Indian city of Agra. It houses the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It is said that the Emperor loved his wife dearly and was prompted to build the Taj Mahal after her death as a testament to his love.

The construction of the Taj Mahal was completed by 1632. It took 17 years, 22,000 laborers, stonecutters, painters, and embroidery artists, and 1000 elephants to complete the Taj Mahal. The construction of the temple cost the equivalent of US$827 million today. 28 types of precious and semi-precious stones were used to decorate the Taj Mahal. The monument changes color depending on the time of the day and the moon. In 1983, the Taj Mahal was inscribed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Today, it attracts 7 to 8 million annual visitors each year.

Colosseum, Italy

The Colosseum in Italy.

Rome, Italy, hosts the Colosseum, which is one of the world’s seven wonders. Sometimes called the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum is an oval-shaped amphitheater in the center of the city. Constructed from concrete and sand, it is the largest amphitheater in the world. The Colosseum’s construction was initiated in AD 72 by Emperor Vespasian and was finished by AD 80 by his successor, Titus. Domitian, another emperor of the Flavian dynasty later made certain modifications to the amphitheater. The labor of tens of thousands of slaves were used to build this magnificent structure. The Colosseum had the capacity to host about 80,000 spectators and 80 entrances at the time of its construction.

Mock sea battles, animal hunts, famous battle re-enactments, executions, and mythological dramas were just some of the public spectacles held at the Colosseum. Entry to events in the Colosseum were free and paid from the Emperor’s treasury. However, the Colosseum bore witness to a lot of brutality. Often over 10,000 animals were killed in a day. Today, this wonder of the world is a popular tourist attraction and serves as the iconic symbol of Imperial Rome.

Chichen Itza, Mexico

Chichen Itza in Mexico.

Chichen Itza is an archaeological site located in Mexico’s Yucatán State. It is a pre-Columbian city that was built during the Terminal Classic period by the Maya people. Chichen Itza’s structures like the temples, arcades, and pyramids were sacred to the ancient Maya people. Chichen Itza is believed to have been one of the major cities of the ancient Mayan world and constructions in the city exhibit a variety of architectural styles.

The Temple of Kukulkan in Chichen Itza is an archeological marvel based on Maya astronomy. It has 365 steps for each day of the year. There are 91 steps on each of the four sides and the platform at the top serves as the 365th step. The site even houses a sophisticated ancient observatory that exhibits the excellent advanced astronomical knowledge possessed by the Maya people. Chichen Itza was abandoned in the 1400s. However, it is still not known why people left their homes in the city. The historical value of the site contributes to its status as a wonder of the world.

Machu Picchu, Peru

The archeological site of Machu Pichu in Peru.

The dream destination of millions of people across the world, Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the world. It is located in the Cusco Region of Peru’s Machupicchu District. According to the majority of archaeologists, the Inca emperor Pachacuti built Machu Picchu as an estate around the year 1450. The site developed as a city but was abandoned a century later during the Spanish Conquest. The site remained largely unknown to the rest of the world until its discovery by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. A new theory suggests that Machu Pichu could have been the end stage of an ancient pilgrimage route of the Inca people.

Machu Picchu is a great representation of the Incan way of life. The positions of important structures in Machu Pichu were strongly influenced by the location of nearby mountains regarded as holy by the Inca people. No mortar was used to build the structures in Machu Picchu. The stones were cut and wedged in a manner that even a credit card would not go through the joints. While it definitely improved the aesthetic value of the buildings, it also protected from earthquakes. The stones would ‘dance’ if there were earthquakes and then fall back into place once the tremors subsided. An engineering mavel, a lot of sophisticated civil engineering work had to be done underground to establish Machu Pichu as a city in a notch between two mountain peaks. Most of this is invisible to the visitor’s eye.

Christ the Redeemer, Brazil

Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Christ the Redeemer is 98 feet tall and has a 26-feet tall pedestal. Its arms stretch 92 feet wide. The 635 metric ton statue, made of soapstone and concrete, is located atop the 2,300 feet tall Corcovado mountain. The construction of the statue was initiated in 1922 and completed by 1931. It is the largest sculpture of the art deco style in the world. However, it is not the world’s largest Christ statue. Couples can wed in the chapel at the base of the statue as it was declared a sanctuary in 2006 by the Catholic Church. The statue has been featured in various Hollywood films.

Petra, Jordan

The archeological site of Petra in Jordan.

Petra, a Jordanian wonder, is also listed among the seven wonders of the world. Petra is also nicknamed as the “Rose City” due to the stone color from which it is carved. It has immense archaeological, historical, and architectural value that makes it a jaw-dropping tourist attraction. The water conduit system and the rock-cut architecture are the two most notable features of this ancient city. The water conduit system installed by the ancient Nabataeans helped give rise to a flourishing city in a desert. The Royal Tombs which are large mausoleums with impressive facades carved into rock are a major attraction in Petra.

Petra is not only one of the seven wonders of the world but is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also listed as one of the «28 Places to See Before You Die” by the Smithsonian magazine. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the 1989 Hollywood adventure movie was filmed in Petra.

Great Wall of China, China

The Great Wall of China.

The Great Wall of China, a global tourist hotspot, is known across the world for its uniqueness, great length, and historical value. It is also considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world. The Great Wall of China is associated with thousands of years of Chinese history.

A series of walls were initially built by Chinese empires and states over a period of many years, beginning as early as the 7th century BCE. Over 20 dynasties/states contributed to the building of the wall. These walls were then joined together to result in the Great Wall of China. It was not just a wall but a kind of fortification with watchtowers, beacon towers, trenches, etc., built at intervals as protection from enemy forces. The official length of the Great Wall of China is 21,196.18 km (13,170.7 mi). However, nearly one-third of the Great Wall has disappeared over time. UNESCO inscribed the site as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Although the Great Pyramid of Giza was not officially selected as one of the seven wonders of the world, it was assigned an honorary title because of its undeniable importance. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the biggest and the oldest one among the three pyramids forming the Giza Pyramid Complex. Egyptologists believe that this pyramid was built over a period of 10 to 20 years and completed by around 2560 BC. For over 3,800 years, the Great Pyramid of Giza stood tall as the world’s tallest structure until this position was replaced by the skyscrapers of the modern world. The Pyramid has baffled engineers and architects across the world as to how it was constructed in times when modern infrastructural facilities did not exist. The pyramid houses the tomb of Khufu, the Fourth Dynasty Egyptian pharaoh.

Other Lists Of Wonders

The Seven Natural Wonders of the World is an unofficial list of the most spectacular places in nature from around the globe.

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World include picks from ancient times, such as the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Temple of Artemis, the Statue of Zeus of Olympia, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

The Seven Wonders of the Medieval World include the most impressive wonders of the Middle Ages. Examples of these wonders include Stonehenge, the Hagia Sophia, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

7 Wonders of the World – the New, The Natural, and the Ancient

Updated On: August 15, 2022

The other day I was looking at some lists of the New 7 Wonders of the World and realized that Dave and I have been to them all. I then did some more digging to find out that we’ve also been to a lot of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World and we’ve even been to the only remaining Ancient Wonder of the World.

We are so lucky to be able to have seen these wonders of the world with our own eyes and want you to see them too. It was our dream to travel for nearly two decades before we finally took the plunge to make travel blogging, photography, and video our careers. Since that time we’ve seen a lot. So, while I’m feeling a little nostalgic today, I thought I’d share our thoughts on some of the 7 Wonders of the World that we’ve seen.

New 7 Wonders of the World

Table of Contents

The New 7 Wonders of the World came about in 2000 when a company based in Zurich Switzerland, “The New 7 Wonders Foundation (N7W)”, decided to launch a campaign to name the New 7 Wonders. Considering only one of the original ancient Wonders of the World was still standing, it made sense. More than 100 million votes were cast (This was long before bots came into play on the Internet, so I trust that it was mostly real people) and in 2007 the New Seven Wonders of the World was announced.

It was not without controversy. Many people disagreed with the outcome. However, the votes were cast and the wonders were named. We have been to them all and must admit, we agree with most. There are other amazing places on earth, but the place below definitely filled us with awe and wonder.

1. Petra, Jordan

We had been to a lot of ancient cities before we made our way to Petra. We thought we had seen it all until we walked through the 1.2km long siq (a narrow gorge with high rock walls reaching 80 meters into the air) leading to the incredible Treasury building. The journey was beautiful but once we arrived at the opening in the middle of a canyon, we gasped in awe. This ancient wonder was hidden from the outside world for centuries. It wasn’t until 1812 that it was “discovered” by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Since then the Lost City has become Jordan’s premier tourist attraction.

Read more about Petra, Jordan

Great Wall of China

We have had the privilege of visiting The Great Wall of China, not once, but twice! We have been to two sections the Muytianyu Wall and the Badaling Great Wall. Both were equally impressive. We really feel that the Great Wall of China lives up to the hype. The location is breathtaking as it weaves through the mountains and spans for miles and miles. Even with the crowds of Badaling which is closes to Beijing, we loved it. The wall was built the 7th century and spanned nearly 9000 km.

Read more and watch our videos

Christ the Redeemer, Brazil

Rio De Janeiro is one of our favourite cities on earth. Christ the Redeemer stands proud overhead high on a mountain overlooking the city and can be seen from all vantage points. The most amazing experience we had was doing a doors-off helicopter ride to view Christ the Redeemer from above. The statue of Jesus perched on Mount Corcovado began construction in 1926. Standing 30 meters tall it is a massive achievement and has contributed to making Rio one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet.

Read more about Rio

Colosseum, Italy

It was always our dream to see the Colosseum of Italy. When we finally made it to Rome, we not only had the chance to see it, we stayed in the most incredible apartment right beside this wonder with a view of the ruins from our window. Built in the 1st century, this amphitheater has a bloody past with Gladiators fighting to the death and Christians being thrown to the lions. Animals were used and abused here and it is thought that half a million people and nearly one million animals died within its walls. Today, it stands in ruins and no longer sees bloodshed. Instead, it sees many tourists with more than 6 million people visiting it each year!

Read more about Rome

Machu Pichu, Peru

When we first arrived at Machu Picchu in Peru it was shrouded in clouds. I’ll never forget the look on Dave’s face. He was dejected. It was our one and only time visiting this wonder of the world and we weren’t going to see it! Luckily, as the morning progressed, the heavens opened up and we witnessed the awe-inspiring sight of this ancient city high in the Andes mountains. Discovered by the western world in 1911, the Incan City is believed to have been inhabited in the 1600s. Machu Picchu deserves to be on this list with its impressive location. Located at an altitude of 2400 meters, the city’s terraces plunge into the valley below. How they built these structures on the side of a mountain hundreds of years ago is beyond my comprehension but to see it today will blow you away.

Read more about Machu Picchu

Chichen Itza, Mexico

Chichen Itza was the first of the new wonders of the world that Dave and I ever visited. In fact, our trip to Mexico in 1999 was one of the first international trips we ever took together. I’ll never forget a friend telling us to go and I am glad we listened. Back then you could still walk up the ancient pyramid and it was harrowing. We understood why they closed it to tourists, it was steep and scary but it was also an experience we’ll never forget. The Mayan City of Chichen Itza is located in the Yucatan Peninsula and dates back to the 9th century. It is closely tied to astronomy with buildings precisely made to coincide with the Spring and winter equinox. The Great Pyramid also has 365 steps and a platform dedicated to Venus.

Read more about Chichen Itza and the Yucatan

Taj Mahal, India

The Taj Mahal in India was our least favorite of all the new seven wonders to visit but it is still impressive to see. We actually never wrote about our time there as we didn’t love Agra or the Taj. Obviously many people disagree with us as it was named one of the seven. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the finest examples of Mughal Architecture. It is also considered to be a beautiful love story as it was completed in 1658 by Emperor Shah Jahn who built it for his wife. She died in 1631, just three years after he began construction but he continued on to honor her memory.

The Taj Mahal is beautiful, and we stood in line early in the morning to be the first people in. We quickly grabbed the iconic shot at the reflecting pool before running around frantically staying ahead of the crowds to see it without the masses. I’d like to go back to give it a second chance. Perhaps I would fall in love with it as so many others have.

Read more about India Travels

These are our experiences at the new seven wonders of the world. What do you think? Do you agree with the list? Have you been to any? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Before we leave you, we thought we’d share a few of our experiences at other wonders of the world. As we dug deeper, we saw that there are so many lists of wonders, so let’s explore a bit more shall we?

The 7 Natural Wonders of the World

When looking at the 7 wonders of the Natural World we were shocked to learn that we’ve been to six of the seven! We now know what is on our bucket list of places to see, you guessed it the 7th. What of the 7 natural wonders are we missing? Read on to see.

Mount Everest

We had wanted to see Mount Everest for more than a decade before finally making our way to the is Sagarmatha Region of Nepal. Trekking to Everest Base Camp was a trip of a lifetime. Throughout our journey through the Himalayan Mountain Range, we caught views of the highest mountain in the world standing 8848 meters above sea level. the Himalayas are one of the most beautiful places on earth. While trekking to Everest Base Camp, we kept commenting that you really do feel as if you could reach out and touch heaven.

Read more about Mount Everest

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is not only a natural wonder it is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Area. Spanning 344,000 square km this underwater marine park in Queensland, Australia is a sight to behold. We took a helicopter from Port Douglas out to a diving platform to explore the massive reef system from above and below the surface. The Great Barrier Reef is actually more than one big reef, it is made up of 2900 individual reefs with 900 islands scattered throughout.

Read more about Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef

Victoria Falls

We had the opportunity to visit Victoria Falls while cycling through Africa. During the world’s longest cycling race, we had two rest days at the “Smoke That Thunders.” Taking a helicopter tour through the gorge of the Zambezi River to overlook Victoria Falls was the most incredible way to see this massive waterfall. We live near Niagara Falls and let me tell you, Victoria Falls dwarfs our mighty waterfall. Located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls spans 1.7 km and plunges 108 meters into the gorge below. While not the longest or highest waterfall in the world, it is the largest by water volume and you truly feel its power when walking beside it.

Read more about Victoria Falls

Harbour of Rio De Janeiro

Wow! Rio de Janeiro is so impressive it is on two wonders of the world lists! The Harbour of Rio de Janeiro is one of the natural wonders and we agree. This Brazilian city located on the Atlantic Ocean is a beach lovers paradise. The iconic beaches are impressive, but it is the scene of being framed by the unique mountains of Sugarloaf and Corcovado that make it truly unique. It is one of the most beautiful waterfronts we have ever seen. As we said above, make sure to get up in the air to really take it in, and don’t miss going up to the top of both mountains to see its beauty from all angles.

Read more about Brazil

Northern Lights

If you haven’t witnessed the Aurora Borealis, make your way to northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland or even Northern Michigan! It’s true, we saw incredible northern lights in the state of Michigan. The Aurora Borealis one most certainly one of the world’s most incredible natural wonders. The show of colorful dancing lights in the sky needs to been seen to be believed. Make your way to a dark sky preserve far away from light pollution to really see the spectacular colors on display. One of the best places we saw them was in Jasper, Alberta where there is an annual dark sky festival each November.

Read more about the Aurora Borealis

Grand Canyon

If we hadn’t seen the Grand Canyon with our own eyes, I would say it shouldn’t be on the 7 natural wonders of the world list. However, we have been there and when you do lay eyes upon the Grand Canyon in Arizona, it is spectacular! When standing on the ledge of the South Rim seems surreal. It looks as if you are staring at one giant painting. At 1.8km deep and 446km long, the Grand Canyon is massive but it isn’t the largest canyon in the world. However, it is so beautiful it was chosen as a one of the seven wonders thanks to having the whole package. The Grand Canyon is millions of years old, it is beautiful and it is easily accessible.

Read more about the Grand Canyon

Paricutin Volcano

Well, we have come to the place where we haven’t been to one of the natural wonders. The Paricutin Volcano is located in Michoacán, Mexico and we have yet to visit there. Why was this chosen as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World? It is because it was formed in 1943. It is the only volcano that was humans (humans that are still living that is) actually witnessed and documented. Before 1943, the area around the volcano was flat. It erupted for 19 years and grew to a height of 3000 meters. Today it is dormant and you can hike to its crater.

New 7 Wonders of Nature

And finally, from the same people that brought you the New7Wonders of the World, we end with the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Similar to the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, the 7 Wonders of Nature look at natural formations and landmarks on earth. I am including it, simply because we’ve been to most of them and think they are beautiful and worthy too!

Table Mountain, South Africa

When visiting Cape Town South Africa, Table Mountain is truly an incredible sight. The flat-top mountain towers of the city, dwarfing everything below. Table mountain looks like a cut-out in the sky sanding above the waterfront. One of the best ways to see it is to take a boat ride or go to Robben Island to tour where Nelson Mandella was imprisoned for so long. It is a beautiful view from a very dark place in history.

Read more about Cape Town

Iguazu Falls

Like Victoria Falls, Iguazu Falls blew our minds. Each waterfall around the world is so different. Iguazu Falls may not be the largest waterfall in the world, but it is the most beautiful. Located on the border of Brazil and Argentina is is truly a natural wonder of the world. Spanning 2.7 kilometers in width, it is made up of a series of 275 waterfalls with the highest reaching a height of 80 meters. We took a jet boat tour and a helicopter flight at Iguazu Falls to really take it all in. Plus, we stayed right in the centre of the National Park which allowed us to explore it at sunrise and sunset with nobody around. Read more Fun and Interesting Facts about Brazil

Read more about Iguazu Falls

Ha Long Bay

We love the fact that Ha Long Bay in Vietnam made the list of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is made up of 1500 islands and karst formations in a bay of the South China Sea. Going on an overnight sailing trip in a junk boat is a trip of a lifetime as you are surrounded by high cliffs in the calm waters. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is always on the list of the top things to do in Vietnam.

Read more about Ha Long Bay

Amazon Rainforest

No best of nature article would be complete without including the Amazon Rainforest. This natural wonder is the world’s largest rainforest

Jeju Island

When looking this up, I had never even heard of Jeju Island, but it is now on my list! It is the largest island in South Korea and its dormant volcano is the tallest mountain in South Korea. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its lava tubes and it has a series of basalt stone pillars on its coast similar to the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.

Komodo Island

We have kicked ourselves repeatedly for not going to Komodo Island when spending a month in Bali and the Gili Islands. We were enjoying ourselves too much just chilling out on the beach. I wish we got our acts together enough to hop on a boat to see the endangered and mythical Komodo Dragons. I had always wanted to see them ever since watching The Freshman with Mathew Broderick and Marlon Brando. If you haven’t seen it, watch it! It’s hilarious.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Finally, the underground river system in Palawan, Philippines is the last of the 7 wonders on our list that we haven’t been to yet. But as the famous travel quotes goes: “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list!” Read more quotes: Best Adventure Quotes For Outdoor Lovers

7 Ancient Wonders of the World

Great Pyramids of Giza

Only the Great Pyramid of Giza, in El Giza, Egypt, is the only one that still exists. Oddly enough, it is the earliest of all the 7 wonders. Those Egyptian slaves certainly made a good product. We have been to the Pyramids of Giza and Cairo Egypt twice. They are incredible to see. They almost don’t seem man-made, perhaps aliens really did land on earth!

Other Ancient Wonders included:

Read more about Egypt

There are dozens of 7 Wonders of the World lists from the Industrial wonders of the world (We’ve been to all of them too!) to the 7 Wonders Cities of the World. We could go on and on. CNN, USA Today and the BBC have all polled their own 7 Wonders of the World with very different outcomes. They are all subjective and all controversial with some countries feeling that their wonder should be included on the list.

We tend to agree, while the 7 Wonders of the World are fun to round up, there are beautiful wonders all around the world so why not put them all in one place every once in a while right?

Read more about Ha Long Bay

15 Best and Beautiful Natural Wonders of the World

Indeed, it is true that Mother Nature has blessed us with so many natural wonders. As time is progressing, humans are trying to build an array of towering skyscrapers, breathtaking bridges, and incredible pyramids and other architecture. But, all these structures are just man-made and incomparable with natural beauty.

Taking decades and even centuries to form, the natural wonders of the world always brings peace, calmness, and soothe our body and soul to provide immense pleasure. In fact, this beautiful scenery centers the soul in this chaotic world and provides a relaxful experience with much-needed tranquility and peace. From epic mountain ranges to bubbling volcanoes, there are a large number of natural wonders in the world.

Best Natural Wonders of the World

these are the natural wonders of the world that definitely will amaze you when you get chance to look through your eyes.

1. Aurora Borealis

Northern lights, also known as Aurora Borealis is one of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world and a favorite item among adventurous people. These dazzling lights are caused by the collision of the electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere and can be seen in both the Northern and Southern (Australia) hemispheres, but they are most visible in the Northern hemisphere.

Northern lights cannot be seen through naked eyes and only becomes visible to us when there is a change in the conditions of the sky. To get the best views of northern lights visitors can see them during winters from high Northern latitude in places such as Alaska, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Greenland, and many more.

Here are few best places from where you can see northern lights: Top and best places to see Northern lights

2. Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in Arizona, the United States which is 277 miles long and 18 miles wide. Sources reveal that the Great Canyon is a result of the erosion from the Colorado River which erupted more than 600 million years ago. While some researchers suggest that it happen as early as 17 million years ago.

However, it is a beautiful colored landscape that attracts over 5 million visitors every year. Also, it encompasses many plant and animal species, but it is strictly prohibited not to feed any of the animals to prevent bites and to avoid disturbing their natural habitat.

3. Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest and the most extensive coral reef system in the world. The Great Barrier Reef is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Encompassing more than 1500 species of fish, 400 species of coral, 4000 species of mollusks, 240 species of birds, it contains biodiversity like no other place in the world. This makes this place one of the best natural wonders of the earth.

It is a fantastic destination that has more than 2 million visitors every year and provides immense pleasure to nature enthusiasts. But, as the ocean temperature gets warmer, more coral reefs are put to stress resulting in coral bleaching and it is the biggest threat that is destroying this wonder of the world due to the climatic changes.

4. Harbour of Rio de Janeiro

Located in the Brazilian city of Rio, the Harbour of Rio de Janeiro is the largest Harbour in the volume of water. It was discovered by a Portuguese explorer who named it Rio de Janeiro which means River of January. It was in this month when he discovered it. It is a beautiful destination surrounded by lush green forestry, water island and is considered one of the most beautiful natural harbors in the world.

Also, it has been rated as a topmost destination to visit in Brazil and attracts visitors from all over the world. It also features a 130 feet statue that stands on the top of the peak of a Corcovado and weighs 635 tonnes.

5. Victoria Falls

Victoria Fall is the largest waterfall in the world. Located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, it is a beautiful destination that becomes even more alluring during a full moon time when the light of the full moon falls on the crystal clear water and forms an awe-inspiring sight of a moon show. This phenomenon is caused by the bouncing of the moonlight on the spray of water and mesmerizes everybody’s heart.

Apart from this, the fall also had naturally formed pool on its edge is popularly known as Devil swimming pool. The best time to swim at the swimming pool is between September and December.

6. Mount Everest

Designated as the world’s highest point on earth from sea level, Mount Everest is located in the Mahalangur Himal, a Sub-range of the Himalayas. In Nepali, it is called Sagarmatha in Tibetan Chomolungma. Mount Everest is a place of wonder, mystery, and legend that attracts travelers from all over the world.

Also, Mount Everest is located more than 29000 feet above sea level and offers the ultimate mountaineering adventure. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first persons to climb this Pinnacle of the earth.

7. Amazon Rainforest

Amazon rainforest also known as Amazonia or Amazon jungle is a moist broadleaf forest in the Amazon biome that covers most of the Amazon basin of South America. The Amazon represents over half of the planet’s remaining rainforest and comprises the largest and most biodiverse tract of tropical rainforest in the world.

With an estimated number of 390 billion flora and fauna, divided into 16000 species, it is one of the major tourist destinations for lovers of nature and has the greatest biodiversity of plant species in the world.

8. Arenal volcano, Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s Arena volcano is one of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world. Standing at 5437 feet above sea level, this majestic volcano is surrounded by a beautiful landscape that offers a perfect holiday vacation to its visitors. Also, it encompasses an Arena Volcano National Park which is a fantastic destination.

Here, visitors can go hiking in the rainforest, enjoy canopy tools, and have adventures of natural geothermal hot springs.

9. Bay of Fundy, Canada

Located between Halfway the equator and the north pole on the remarkable picturesque east coast of Canada, the Bay of Fundy is a famous destination primarily known for its Triassic-age dinosaur fossils as well as unusual Minerals and gemstone.

It is a great destination where over 160 million tons of water move in and out of the bay every day. It also provides natural habitat to a large number of species of whale and holds the record for the highest recorded tides in the world. It is a must-see destination in Nova Scotia where visitors can enjoy this remarkable phenomenon and the unique seascape that it has created.

10. Sahara Desert

Although, as large as the United States, the Sahara desert is the world’s largest hot desert that covers most of northern Africa. It is one of the best natural wonders of the world, popularly known for its large sand dunes, Barren land, hard, rocky plateaus, and the nomadic pastoralists.

Sahara receives less than 3 inches of rainfall per year and is the driest, hottest and windiest location on Earth. Also, it is the third-largest desert in the world after Antarctica and the Arctic with an estimation to contain only some 2.5 million inhabitants.

11. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Situated in North Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is around 120 km long coastline that features thousands of islands, each topped with thick jungle vegetation. Meaning as Bay of Descending Dragons, Ha Long Bay long encompasses a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars.

However, several Islands of this bay are hollow with enormous caves, while other islands include lakes and some support floating villages of fishermen. It is a beautiful landscape in Vietnam that attracts visitors from all the continents of the world.

12. Glaciers, icebergs of Antarctica

The coldest, driest, and windiest continent on the planet, Antarctica has the highest average elevation of all the continents. It is the largest cold desert in the world and covers about 98% of the entire ice in the world.

The icebergs and glaciers of Antarctica are famous all over the world and it is one of the best natural wonders of the world. Antarctica is an uninhabited continent where only very rare species of animals can be found such as penguins, blue whales, orcas, and seals.

13. Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls are waterfalls of the Iguazu River located on the border of the Brazilian State of Parana and the Argentine Province of Misiones. The falls divide the river into the upper and lower Iguazu. The Iguazu River starts at the city of Curitiba and runs for the most part of the course in Brazil and at the end at the border of Brazil and Argentina.

It is one of the great natural wonders of the world that consists of 275 Falls along the Iguazu river. Also, it encompasses a beautiful water system where the majority of the falls are of 604 meters. But, the most impressive one is Devil’s throat U-shaped, which 820 m high 150 m wide and 770 m long waterfall.

14. The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is a salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the west bank to the west. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, surrounded by a stunning landscape of the Negev desert. The saline water of the Sea leads to the name of the Dead Sea because no fish can survive in the salty water.

Also, The Dead Sea due to its exceptionally high salt contains there are no animals or life forms besides bacteria and this provides visitors the opportunity to easily float in the salt fill water. Apart from this, the mud in the area is said to have healing qualities.

15. Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of volcanic islands belonging to Ecuador in the Eastern Pacific oceans. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site primarily famed for its wildlife species. The Galapagos are located 1000 km west of the South American continent and are quite remote and isolated.

Furthermore, the archipelago is famous all over the world for its unique Island ecosystem and offered an amazing site for wildlife viewing and boat tour. Also, The Galapagos Islands and its surrounding waters form an Ecuadorian province, a national park, and a biological marine reserve.

We have curated a list of best Natural Wonders on the earth as possible. This list would be helpful to choose your next travel destination.

The 7 Natural Wonders Of The World

The 7 Natural Wonders Of The World

You’ve probably already googled ‘What are The Seven Ancient Wonders of the World’ (check out my blog post, don’t worry I’ve got you!), or ‘What are the new seven wonders of the world (I blogged that too!) and now you’ve moved on to ‘What Are Seven Natural Wonders of the world’?.

Great, or have you been looking for the ultimate trip of a lifetime to really blow all your other travels out of the water? While some people want to do something a bit challenging like climbing one of the seven summits or sailing around the world, a far more achievable dream for most is to visit one – if not all! – of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

We’ve all heard about the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, but what are the natural ones and how can you visit them all?

Table of contents

1) Rio Harbour – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Also known as Guanabara Bay, Rio Harbour is one of the most impressive natural wonders of the world. Holding the record as being the world’s largest bay by volume of water, it’s visible from surrounding viewpoints such as Sugarloaf Mountain and the Christ The Redeemer statue (which is a New Seven Wonder of the World itself if you want to kill two birds with one stone!).

Getting to it:

Fly into Rio International Airport, which is actually located on an island in the bay itself. To experience the bay in its full glory, consider taking one of a number of ferries from one side to the other, or catch a taxi and drive across the bridge that connects both sides without having to go the long way around.

When Did I Visit?

During the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. What an experience! I loved visiting Christ the Redeemer and ticking off one the 7 wonders of the world too!

2) The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most iconic and important regions of biodiversity, and also one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It holds the record of also being the world’s largest coral reef system and is home to almost three thousand individual reefs and nine hundred islands. It’s considered to be the icon of Australia’s state of Queensland and is visited by hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists a year. The quality of corals and sea life is phenomenal, and numerous species of fish are found only in this one reef system.

Getting to it:

You need to get to Cairns. So, fly into Brisbane or Sydney if coming from outside Australia. If you’re already Down Under, fly to Cairns and from there you can book a number of great excursions out to the reef.

When Did I Visit?

I worked and lived in Australia for one year on the working holiday visa in Australia, during that time I went for a boozy lads weekend scuba diving in Cairns. Beautiful.

7 Natural Wonders; Great Barrier Reef 7 Natural Wonders; Great Barrier Reef

3) Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

One of the most beautiful sites in the United States, the Grand Canyon attracts visitors from around the world to marvel at its sheer size and depth. Formed over millions of years by the Colorado River slowly wearing down the rock, showcasing an impressive history of the land from a geological standpoint through different layers of sediment. Today the Canyon is one of the premier tourist attractions in the world, with over five million visitors annually. While it may seem that the only thing to do at the Canyon is to look at it, visitors can go on helicopter tours, white water rafting, hiking and other adventurous excursions in the area.

Getting to it:

Fly into either Las Vegas or Phoenix and either drive or catch one of the regular tours that head out to the area. If you prefer to spend a few days exploring, consider renting a campervan and staying a few days in the Grand Canyon National Park. Time permitting, you can also enjoy an 8-day guided tour of the Grand Canyon through Caravan.com.

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When Did I Visit?

Despite having a wild weekend in Vegas with friends, I have yet to visit the Grand Canyon! Shame on me!

7 Natural Wonders; The Grand Canyon

4) Aurora Borealis, Various

One of the world’s most beautiful phenomena, the Aurora Borealis – often called the Northern Lights – are one of those things that many want to witness at least once in their lifetimes. Created through powerful solar winds bouncing off the Earth’s atmosphere, these delicate, dancing lights usually appear in northern countries in the winter and shoulder seasons. The countries that are fortunate enough to have these impressive light displays include Canada, Iceland, the Scandinavian countries and parts of Russia.

Getting there:

It depends on which country tickles your fancy really, but Scandinavia and Iceland are both places with fantastic tourist infrastructure regarding the Aurora Borealis. To be more assured a chance of seeing them in Canada, you’d have to go quite north to the likes of Iqaluit, Yellowknife or Whitehorse where there is little else to do in terms of tourism.

When Did I Visit?

When I finally visited every country in the world, my last country was Norway. We stayed in a snow hotel in Norway and saw the northern lights. You can also see them if you visit Svalbard, visit the the Faroe Islands, travel in Greenland, Iceland, or Canada and Russia. Just make sure it’s the right time of year.

Seven Natural Wonders of the World Seven Natural Wonders of the World

5) Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is one of the most impressive and beautiful waterfalls on the planet. While it’s not the tallest waterfall on Earth, it’s considered to be the largest when taking height and width into consideration, both of which mean it has the world’s largest concentration of water that falls over the ridge. Thrill-seekers are known to sneak to the edge of the falls to sit in what’s referred to as ‘Devil’s Pool’, a small rocky dip with a light current that allows visitors to get right up to the edge.

Getting there:

Fly into either Lusaka (Zambia) or Harare (Zimbabwe) and book a trip through a reputable travel agent or your hotel. Zambia has considerably more infrastructure in terms of tourism, but for the adventure-seeker, Zimbabwe will prove enthralling and a bit of a challenge.

When Did I Visit?

I travelled from Cape Town to Cairo overland, and I stopped in Zimbabwe to do a bungee jump at Victoria Falls. One of the highlights of my trip!

6) Paricutin, Michoacan, Mexico

For those who love geology and volcanology, the Paricutin volcano in Michoacan, Mexico is the ultimate destination. Formed in 1948 after a fissure opened in a farmer’s cornfield, the volcano proceeded to erupt consistently over a period of several years, decimating around two hundred kilometres around it with ash and molten lava. The result is several volcanically preserved villages – or what remains of them – and a dormant volcanic cone that visitors love to climb.

Getting there:

Fly into Mexico city and make your way to Uruapan, about three hundred kilometres west. You can climb the volcano by asking around in the village, with many local guides being available. You can also stay overnight at one of the local lodges for a small fee.

When Did I Visit?

Despite travelling all around Mexico, culminating in a visit to Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the world, I’ve never made it to Paricutin. Booooo.

Seven Natural Wonders of the World Seven Natural Wonders of the World

7) Mount Everest, Nepal and China

Probably the most well-known mountain in the world for climbing, Everest is notorious for being one of the most deadly and most difficult. Many have attempted the ascent over the years, but these days with more adventure companies offering the opportunity to attempt the summit, it’s become far easier and safer. Check out any of the adventure companies such as Everest Expedition to explore options and pricing. Not ready to try the summit? You can always opt for a base camp trek, which takes you to Everest Base Camp – a challenge enough for many!

Getting there:

Most people fly into Kathmandu, Nepal and organise a trek from there. There’s also the Chinese side of Everest, but the Nepalese side has far more options in terms of treks and companies to go with as well as better infrastructure in place for those who want to give the world’s tallest mountain a whirl.

When Did I Visit?

The highest mountain in the world, and one of the Seven Summits, I trekked to Everest Base Camp waaay back in 2008. Next year, I plan to reach the summit on my quest to be the first person to visit every country, climb the 7 summits and reach both the north and south pole.

Thoughts on the Seven Natural Wonders of the World?

My favourite is undoubtedly Mount Everest but they’re all breathtaking and should be on every human’s bucket list. I hope you enjoyed my short guide to the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and start planning that trip to check them out through Justfly so you can save yourself a bundle on flights. Remember, the Seven Natural Wonders of the world is different to the Seven Wonders of the world (often called the 7 man-made wonders of the world), which are also different from the 7 Ancient Wonders of the world. You can see those here:

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40 unique natural wonders of the world

In short

T here are places on Earth which are unique – the absolute natural wonders of the world.

Wondermondo also has made a unique thing: it is this article, which lists 40 such places – unusual locations with natural phenomena that are not found anywhere else. Places come simply in alphabetic order. Enjoy!

Map of the sites

List of 40 unique natural wonders of the world

Abanda Caves

29.3%

Why is it unique?
The only place in the world with a permanent population of cave crocodiles. These dwarf crocodiles Osteolaemus tetraspis are turning into a new species, are almost blind and eat bats.

Aldabra – realm of giant tortoises

56.9%

Why is it unique?
The only ecosystem in the world which is ruled by tortoises. Here live more than 1000 thousand giant tortoises who are at the top of the food chain. Besides, on the island live some 400 species of animals and plants, which are not found anywhere else in the world.

Black Hole of Andros

51.8%

North America, Bahamas

Why is it unique?
Round holes with unusually black water found only on South Andros and Grand Bahama islands. Their water is crystal clear but at the depth of some 17 m, there is a layer of hot, pink jelly – a colony of microorganisms. Most unique aspect – microorganisms have heated the water to temperatures up to 40° C – possibly the only place on Earth where microorganisms have heated the water. Below the layer of bacteria, water is clear and colder again.

Blood Falls, Antarctica

50.6%

Antarctica, Victoria Land

Why is it unique?
This red-colored, approximately 14 m tall “icefall” is opening into an unusual ecosystem that for more than one million years has developed in the saline lake below the Taylor Glacier. Microorganisms have adapted here to live without light, feeding on sulfates and “breathing” ions of iron.

Blue garnets of Bekily

28.3%

Why is it unique?
The only known place on the planet where in larger amounts are found blue garnets. In fact – until 1997 it was considered that there are no blue garnets in the world. These unique stones in artificial light change to bright purple. It is possible that the find has been exhausted.

Caño Cristales

50.0%

South America, Colombia

Why is it unique?
Unique river ecosystem with seemingly unnatural, gaudy colors. These colors are created by living organisms, such as the bright red water plantMacarenia clavigera, yellow, green-blue, and black algae and sand. This ecosystem has developed on an isolated tableland – Serrania de la Macarena.

Catatumbo Lightning

46.8%

South America, Venezuela

Why is it unique?
The only continuous thunderstorm in the world, where each night are seen up to 20,000 lighning flashes. This thunderstorm is happening in the same place.

Cave of the Crystals, Naica

56.3%

North America, Mexico

Why is it unique?
Cave with phantasmagoric crystals of incredible size. The largest crystals of selenite here are up to 12 m long, up to 55 tons heavy. Crystals have perfect form. There is no other similar cave in the world. The cave is flooded now.

Chocolate Hills

58.7%

Why is it unique?
One of the world’s most impressive cone karst landscapes. Here it is unique because more than 1200 symmetrical hills are covered with grass, which turns brown in February – April.

Christmas Island red crabs

57.3%

Australia, Christmas Island

Why is it unique?
The only forest in the world which is dominated by land crabs – some 50 – 100 million of them. It is possible that this is a recent phenomenon because local species of rats – Maclear’s rat – were eliminated in the 20th century and since this time crabs have had fewer natural enemies here. Here live some 20 species of land crabs as well as numerous other unique animals and plants.

Daallo Frankincense Forest

43.3%

Why is it unique?
The only natural forest of the legendary Coptic Frankincense (Boswellia frereana). This forest is unusual – besides the frankincense here grow many unique species of fragrant plants. This could be the most fragrant forest in the world!

Daikoku Sulfur Cauldron

46.3%

Oceania, Northern Mariana Islands

Why is it unique?
Lake of liquid sulfur… below the ocean! This is the largest known sulfur lake with unique organisms (even fishes!) which have “learned” how to thrive in an extremely acidic, sulfur-rich environment.

Dallol hot springs and geysers

61.8%

Why is it unique?
This could be the most colorful place on Earth, but its uniqueness lies in the weird geological processes. Here is the only volcano below sea level and without water over it. Here have formed the only known geysers of acid and saltwater in the world.

Hypersaline lakes beneath the Devon Ice Cap

23.8%

North America, Canada

Forest of Daisy Trees in Santa Cruz

41.5%

South America, Galápagos Islands

Why is it unique?
Forest of an unusual plant – a 20 m tall relative of daisies – Scalesia pedunculata. All trees in this forest have the same age – they grow up together and then suddenly whole forest dies out and starts growing up again from new sprouts.

Forest on Robinson Crusoe Island

49.8%

South America, Chile

Why is it unique?
All tree species – around 20 of them – of this forest grow ONLY in this forest and nowhere else in the world! In total in this forest are 132 endemic plant species and hundreds of species of unique insects.

Goualougo Triangle

46.0%

Africa, Republic of the Congo

Why is it unique?
In this forest, people have never lived and animals don’t fear people here. In Goualougo Triangle is living the only population of chimpanzees which is experiencing fast evolution – nowhere else on Earth apes have evolved as much as here.

Ikaite tufa columns in Ikka Fjord

45.8%

North America, Greenland

Why is it unique?
“Forest” of columns on the floor of Ikka Fjord. These columns are up to 18 m tall and have been formed from ikaite – a mineral that can exist only in cold water. Columns have been formed by submarine springs. There is not known similar place in the world.

Jellyfish Lake (Ongeim’l Tketau)

61.1%

Why is it unique?
Marine lake with millions of unique jellyfishes which live only in this lake. Only here jellyfish have developed a specific pattern of behavior with a special migration. There are some more similar lakes in Palau (with other subspecies of jellyfish), but Jellyfish Lake is by far the most impressive one.

Kelimutu crater lakes

61.8%

Why is it unique?
Three lakes – each with a different color of the water. These are crater lakes – each with its own geochemical and hydrothermal regime. There is no other place on Earth with such unusual phenomena.

Kitum Cave and other caves of Mt. Elgon

42.8%

Why is it unique?
Group of five unique caves which to a large extent have been formed by elephants who over many thousands of years have mined salt here. These seem to be the only caves that have been created by the elephants – but there are caves in South America that have been created by other, now extinct animals.

Lake Bonney

38.0%

Antarctica, Victoria Land

Why is it unique?
The only known lake in the world which is saturated with the “laughing gas” (nitrous oxide).

Lake Tele

52.5%

Africa, Republic of the Congo

Why is it unique?
The last place on Earth (except the oceans) with some chances to find large, hitherto unknown species of animals. This remote lake in the middle of large rainforest is a site of exotic legends about large, fierce predatory animals – mokele-mbembe and emela-ntouka.

Liang Bua

49.5%

Why is it unique?
The only place in the world where have been found remnants of Homo floresiensis – dwarf people who lived on Flores Island (and, possibly – other places too) some 50 thousand years ago.

Lord Howe Island

67.8%

Why is it unique?
The current Lord Howe Island is only 0,25% of the former area of now lost enormous island. For millions of years, unique life forms evolved on this island – and now thousands of unique animal and plant species live only on this small remnant of the former island and nowhere else in the world

Merelani Hills – the only find of tanzanite

43.3%

Why is it unique?
The only known place in the world where is found a gorgeous gemstone – tanzanite. This find might be exhausted in the coming decades – thus tanzanite is a precious, very unusual gift by nature in a strictly limited amount.

Moconá Falls (Yucumã Falls)

44.8%

South America, Argentina and Brazil

Why is it unique?
Unusual waterfall which is not perpendicular to the stream but PARALLEL. As a result this could be the second widest waterfall in the world – it is 1.8 – 2.7 km wide.

Morning Glory of Carpentaria Gulf

52.5%

Why is it unique?
The only place in the world where on a regular basis can be observed very rare meteorological phenomena – fast sequence of roll clouds which are nicknamed “morning glory”.

North-West Eifuku Champagne Vent

36.3%

Oceania, Northern Mariana Islands

Why is it unique?
The only large springs which emit liquid carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is emitted at the depth of 1,607 m in a form of milky-colored bubbles, quickly rising towards the surface of the ocean.

Oklo Mines – the only natural nuclear reactor

33.3%

Why is it unique?
The only known place on Earth where nature itself launched a nuclear reaction. It happened here some 1.8 – 1.7 billion years ago. Tje temperature of the ground reached some 200 – 300° C and reaction continued for hundreds of thousands of years.

Ol Doinyo Lengai

51.8%

Why is it unique?
The only volcano in the world which is erupting carbonatite lava. This is a very unusual place without analogs elsewhere in the world. Shortly after the eruption lava turns snow-white but in a few months’ time, it becomes soft. Lava consists of very rare, nearly unique minerals.

Patomskiy Crater

54.7%

Asia, Russia (Irkutsk Oblast)

Why is it unique?
Mysterious crater in a remote part of Siberia. It is not clear how it formed, but it happened some 500 years ago. It is possible that there happened some kind of gaseous eruption. Site of exotic legends, purported evil place.

Rokeb di Firmihin

46.3%

Asia, Yemen (Socotra)

Why is it unique?
The last forest of Dragon’s Blood Trees (Dracaena cinnabari) – legendary trees which look as if they arrived from another planet. In this forest live several species of plants and animals which are not met anywhere else in the world.

Sima Humboldt and Sima Martel

55.5%

South America, Venezuela

Why is it unique?
The largest sinkholes in quartzite, formed over hundreds of millions of years. Sinkholes have formed on the only tepui (table-mountain) which is covered with rainforest and as a result on the bottom of these giant holes (up to 314 m deep!) grows a unique forest.

Sireneviy Kamen

27.3%

Asia, Russia (Sakha Republic, Irkutsk Oblast)

Why is it unique?
The only find of a mineral of unusual beauty – charoite. In this area have been found some 200 minerals, many – rare and even unique. It is allowed to mine only 100 tons of charoite per year.

Sistema Zacaton

57.0%

North America, Mexico

Why is it unique?
A unique system of numerous sinkholes which are up to 339 m deep. These weird holes were created by thermal acidic waters from the bottom up. Some sinkholes have sealed up in a natural way and possibly contain unique organisms. Other sinkholes have floating islands which gradually increase their size, forming the “lids”.

Vailulu’u Eel City and Moat of Death

46.3%

Oceania, American Samoa

Why is it unique?
Submarine mountain – a volcano which is quickly rising towards the surface of the ocean. Countless eels live in an unusual, unique colony near the summit of Vailulu’u. Around the base of the mountain has formed a zone of toxic fluids – “Moat of Death”.

Vallée de Mai

52.3%

Why is it unique?
Unique forest – a relict, descendant of the primeval forests of Gondwana continent. The only natural forest of coco de mer – a palm with the world’s largest seeds.

Wachsender Felsen of Usterling

45.8%

Why is it unique?
Natural, up to 5.4 m tall stone wall with a stream of fresh spring water flowing along its upper rim. Wall is 37 m long. Humans have helped nature to create it by cleaning the stream from fallen branches, leaves, grass.

Yungay

50.6%

South America, Chile

Why is it unique?
Almost lifeless place due to extreme dryness. Only recently here were discovered some microorganisms. As a result here have formed rich nitrate deposits (up to 5 m thick) deposited by the atmosphere and, contrary to other places of the world, not consumed by microorganisms.

See the Natural Wonders of the World in 2021

The list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World names the places—such as the Grand Canyon—where nature is sure to enchant us and put us in absolute awe.

It’s time to say farewell to 2020; and for many of us, we’re happy to do it—perhaps more so than for any other year we’ve ever experienced. For those smitten with wanderlust, 2020 was definitely the “year of lost travels” and missed opportunities for connecting with other people and cultures around the globe. The hope is that in 2021 we’ll travel more gratefully, more thoughtfully and with more sensitivity toward others and the environment.

It could be said that the one good thing that the pandemic did for us is to shine a light on just how important the natural world is for our physical and mental health. Most of us will come out of this lost year with a new respect for how nature works. And, when we are able to get out and widely explore again, we’ll want to visit natural places that, recently, we’ve personally learned have the capacity to soothe our souls.

In 1997, the Cable News Network (CNN) put together a list of what their editors and experts thought were the most amazing creations of nature based on statistical and traditional significance, uniqueness and pure splendor. As criteria, they determined that such a natural wonder must be a clearly defined site that was not produced or significantly altered by humans. They titled the list “The Seven Natural Wonders of the World,” and it’s still the gold standard today.

The aurora borealis (or northern lights) is named after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and with the Greek term for the north wind: boreas.

The places on that roster are:

1) Mount Everest, China and Nepal
2) Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
3) Paricutin Volcano, Michoacan, Mexico
4) Aurora borealis, various locations
5) Grand Canyon, Arizona, U.S.
6) Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
7) Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Africa

If you’re looking forward to revamping your travels for 2021, Natural Habitat Adventures can take you to four of them.

Aurora borealis

Also known as the northern lights, the aurora borealis (in the Southern Hemisphere, the same phenomenon is called the aurora australis) intrigues everyone who’s lucky enough to see these blue, green, pink, red, violet and yellow arcs, patches, rippling curtains or shooting rays along the horizon or waving across the night sky. Humans have created legends around the cause of these lights in the heavens since before recorded time. In Norse mythology, for example, the Valkyries would come galloping across the night sky upon their horses equipped with armor, helmets and spears that would glow and shimmer in the darkness. In medieval times, these lights signaled famine or war, while the Inuit believed them to be the spirits of the beluga whales, deer, salmon and seals they hunted for survival.

The science as we understand it today is that this effect is caused by electrically charged cosmic particles entering the Earth’s atmosphere. These electrons and protons, also known as solar wind, escape through the holes in the sun’s magnetic field and are catapulted from the sun’s rotation towards the Earth, where they collide with gaseous particles. The result is seen by us as dancing lights in an irregularly shaped oval centered over each of our planet’s magnetic poles.

Auroras seen near the magnetic pole may be high overhead; but from farther away, they illuminate the northern horizon with a greenish or faint-red glow, as if the sun were rising from an unusual direction.

Scientists say that northern and southern auroras most often occur at the same time and are mirror images of each other, both in colors and shapes. The variations in color are determined by the type of particles most present in these collisions. The common yellowish-green light is emitted from oxygen molecules colliding about 60 miles above the Earth’s surface. The rare red lights are also oxygen produced, but at altitudes of up to 200 miles; while nitrogen produces blue, magenta and purple shades.

Unfortunately, we cannot predict when the northern lights will appear, but the best chances for witnessing them occur between the months of March to April and September to October (the equinoxes). The ideal conditions are usually found on a cold, dark night with clear skies. The auroras peak every 11 years, with the next peak period in 2024.

Grand Canyon

At more than a mile deep and 277 miles long, the Grand Canyon is neither the steepest nor the longest canyon in the world (those titles go to the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon in Tibet, according to the Guinness Book of World Records). But the Grand Canyon in the United States was chosen as a natural wonder for its overall scale, size and beautifully colored landscape.

You only need to stand on the rim of the Grand Canyon once to know why it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. The expansive and breathtaking views can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

Located in Arizona, the Colorado Plateau was once the floor of a shallow sea, where today you can still find fossilized corals, shellfish and snails from 20 million years ago, when the sea retreated. Six million years ago, the Colorado River changed its course to flow through the plateau; and empowered by the Ice Age’s melted ice, it eroded stone and gained more tributaries, which caused other indents in the region. Two million years ago, the Grand Canyon formed at more than 6,000 feet deep.

Having been marveled at for thousands of years by only indigenous peoples, in 1540 Garcia Lopez de Cardenas from Spain told Europeans about the Grand Canyon after he stumbled upon it during his expedition to find gold present-day New Mexico.

Later, in May 1869, American explorer and geologist John Wesley Powell embarked on a trip to explore the Colorado River. He ended up in the famed gorge, where he and his 10-man party had to battle more than 200 rapids. He lost several instruments and much of his food supply along the way, making it difficult to take any scientific data. His crew’s morale was also running low. Three men gave up and left his boat, climbing the steep canyon walls. They were killed by members of the Shivwits band of the Paiute people, whose territory they came upon. Powell called a halt to the expedition on August 29, 1869, but he returned two years later to gather the data.

The spectacular walls of the Grand Canyon were partially crafted by the Colorado River, which cut into and eroded the horizontal rock layers from the Paleozoic Age.

Today, this natural wonder provides visitors with a view that cannot be matched anywhere else in the world.

Great Barrier Reef

At more than 133,000 square miles, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef—the world’s largest coral reef and the Earth’s biggest single structure made by living organisms—incorporates more than 900 islands and cays, and stretches for more than 1,400 miles off the Queensland coast. Known as one of the richest and most complex natural systems on Earth, it supports a multitude of life, including more than 3,000 species of mollusks, 630 species of sea urchins and starfish, 600 types of hard and soft corals, 215 species of birds, 133 varieties of rays and sharks, 30 species of dolphins and whales, 15 species of seagrass, 14 types of sea snakes, nine species of seahorse, seven kinds of frogs, six of the world’s seven species of marine turtles and vulnerable dugongs.

In reality, the Great Barrier Reef is not just one big, long, connected reef; it encompasses more than 3,000 individual reefs—ranging from two acres to more than 25,000 acres—constructed by billions of miniscule coral polyps, which are living organisms.

Nearly 10 percent of the world’s fish species inhabit the reef, and its marine alga create mini-ecosystems on the reef’s surface that have been compared to rain-forest cover. Sadly, however, many of the species that live on and near the reef are endangered, some of which may be endemic to the reef system. Other environmental pressures include water quality from runoff and climate change accompanied by mass coral bleaching.

The Great Barrier Reef is part of a vast system of coral banks and islands that run along the coast of Australia. It is the largest structure on the planet created by nonhuman living organisms.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act was established in 1975 by the Australian government, imposing regulations on environmental and recreational procedures aimed at sustainability. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has since committed to preserving the rights of aboriginal populations, allowing them to continue traditional use of the reef and its biodiversity. The Great Barrier Reef was declared a World Heritage site in 1981.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls, located on the Zambezi River on the Zimbabwe–Zambia border, is, by some standards, the grandest waterfall in the world. It runs 5,500 feet (about a mile) at its widest point and has a drop of 355 feet. Its flow is 33,000 cubic feet per second, spilling 625 million liters of water over the precipice every minute. While it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall on the planet, it has the largest single sheet of flowing water, when you consider both its height and width. This natural wonder was named a World Heritage Site in 1989.

The waterfall and its surrounding, highly biodiverse habitat are protected by two national parks: Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia and Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe. Near the falls, it is common to see klipspringers (small antelopes), as well as hippopotamuses. The nearby forests and grasslands are home to elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, wildebeests and zebras. The best view of the falls is reserved for the winged, including buzzards, eagles and falcons. The region is also home to the only rain forest in the world where rain falls every day.

Victoria Falls is about three times the height of Niagara Falls in the U.S. The waters’ legendary spray leads to the formation of rains, rainbows and the famous “smoke,” which is visible from 12 miles away.

The spray from the falls rises more than 1,300 feet—sometimes even twice as high—and is visible from 12 miles away. Victoria Falls is one of the best sites to watch a spray rainbow and “moonbow.” The rainbow can be seen at any time of day, but it is brightest during the early daylight hours. A moonbow is best viewed when the moon is full.

The pull of the grand and the power of the small

The places named on the Seven Natural Wonders of the World list demonstrate nature’s true beauty and power. They retain the essence of the natural world as it was thousands of years ago, untarnished by human touch. We can only be given credit for enforcing environmental regulations to preserve them and ensure their innate aesthetics for generations to come.

In 2021, it will be important that we reconnect with our sense of awe. That may mean gazing upon the Grand Canyon—or just watching a sunset at a local park. What’s essential, I think, is that we do something that makes us feel small, grateful and humble, yet linked to other people, disparate civilizations and raw nature.

Here’s to finding your true places and natural habitats,

The 7 Natural Wonders of the World

These spectacular spots reveal the diverse splendor of planet Earth.

Maria Emerick covered nature and the outdoors for Treehugger. She has a degree in environmental science from Marywood University.

Emad aljumah / Getty Images

The practice of compiling «wonders» into groups of seven dates back to Ancient Greece, when the list we now know as the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World was first created. Today, we also have the Seven Modern Wonders of the World and several other groupings.

For nature lovers, the seven natural wonders of the world are particularly exciting. These sites are all naturally formed, without significant alteration by humans.

There are several different versions of the seven natural wonders of the world list. We’ll focus on the most commonly accepted list, which originated in a 1997 CNN article and is promoted by the conservation organization Seven Natural Wonders.

Here’s what you need to know about the seven natural wonders of the world.

Grand Canyon

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Dean Fikar / Getty Images

The Grand Canyon in the southwestern United States is called «grand» for good reason. At more than a mile deep, 277 river miles long, and between four and 18 miles wide, it is one of the largest and longest canyons in the world. It covers an area of over 9.5 million square miles. For perspective, that’s bigger than the state of Rhode Island.

This natural wonder was formed through erosion by the Colorado River, with geologists using its distinct layers to estimate its impressive age—between 30 and 70 million years old. The rocks hide more than 1,000 caves, some functioning as hideouts for animals and others revealing prehistoric artifacts. Not surprisingly, there are countless fossils, some dating back as far as the Precambrian period, 1,200 million to 740 million years ago.

Visitors can see the Grand Canyon in person by going to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and viewing it from a lookout, or they can get up close and personal by white water rafting in the river or hiking through the canyon. You should dress properly in layers. Sudden changes in elevation can affect precipitation and temperature, and it can be far colder inside the canyon than above.

Great Barrier Reef

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Daniel Osterkamp / Getty Images

Covering roughly 216,000 square miles of the Coral Sea, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world. More than 2,500 individual reefs and 900 islands make up this natural wonder, which stretches over 1,200 miles along the coastline of northeastern Australia.

This reef is incredibly biodiverse. More than 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 species of mollusk, and 400 species of coral can be found in the reef’s extensive ecosystems. The reef serves as a crucial habitat for species that many people rely on for protein, and it functions as a natural storm break that’s far more effective than anything human-made.

Despite its immense size, the reef is in trouble. Warming seas pose a threat to corals, which are sensitive to changes in water temperatures. Several mass bleaching events have killed significant swaths of coral, with an estimated 50% already lost and as much as 67% in the northern part of the reef region. UNESCO wants to add the Great Barrier Reef to a list of natural sites in danger, but Australia has pushed back against that. Some individuals are taking matters into their own hands, trying to replant coral to replace ones that have been lost.

Harbor of Rio de Janeiro

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Reed Kaestner / Getty Images

The harbor that wraps around Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is the largest natural bay in the world and a sight to behold. Erosion by the Atlantic Ocean carved out this natural wonder, which is also known as Guanabara Bay. The land around the harbor is dotted with mountains, among them the Hills of Tijuca at 3,350 tall, Corcovado Peak at 2,310 feet tall, and Sugar Loaf at 1,296 feet tall.

Large cargo ships and recreational yachts can often be seen in Rio de Janeiro’s harbor. It is both a critical waterway for shipping and a popular tourist destination, with stunning sandy beaches nearby (you’ve probably heard of Ipanema and Copacabana).

Unfortunately, Guanabara Bay is threatened by pollution. Large amounts of raw sewage (from underserved communities, or favelas, without proper sanitation services) and industrial waste from facilities such as oil terminals, two airports, and thousands of factories wash into the harbor daily. The stench can be overwhelming, especially in hot weather.

Top 10 Wonders of the Natural World

There are seven official wonders designated by CNN. However, we have added three more – the Milford Sound, Lake Hillier and Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Check out this list of ten great natural wonders, that are unique and unbelievably pretty!

10. ParГ­cutin, Mexico

Deadly yet exciting, the volcano erupted from out of nowhere in the corn field in 1943. It covered a vast area under lava and ashes, destroying the villages of ParГ­cutin and San Juan Parangaricutiro. Before that, there was no volcano at all, therefore its birth was observed for the first time in human history. It is not active. For now.

Why go there?

Explore this unfriendly terrain and observe the volcano from a helicopter. All that is left from the villages is San Juan Parangaricutiro’s church, standing lonely and abandoned.

Photo by Unknown

Photo by Unknown

9. Victoria Falls, border of Zambia and Zimbabwe

A gorgeous and one of the most popular waterfalls in the world is found on the Zambezi River in Africa. The water of the river falls down in a straight line for 354 ft (108 m). It is wide (5,604 ft/1,708 m), therefore a water spray raises very high and can be spotted from many kilometers away.

Why go there?

Besides admiring its powerful plunge, also you can dare and visit the Devil’s Pool, which is a naturally formed pool on the Zambia’s side. From September to December the current becomes weaker than usual and some adventurers dare to swim in it just a few feet away from the abyss.

8. Lake Hillier, Middle Island, Australia

Found in the Recherche Archipelago, the island has one of the greatest natural wonders in the world and the most beautiful pond of the kind – Lake Hillier. Not even the scientists know for sure why it is pink; they speculate it is caused by certain bacteria. The easiest access to the island is by plane – it is a two-hour flight from Perth.

Why go there?

Observe the extraordinary lake. There is also a variety of activities on the coast of Esperance, that include walking and cycling, horse riding, scuba diving, whale-watching, windsurfing, fishing, abseiling, kayaking and 4WD drive tours.

Photo by Unknown

7. Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In 1502, when the Portuguese explorers discovered the bay, they were amazed by the astonishing bay. Weird shaped mountains and rocks were never seen before by the Europeans. Today it is one of the most recognizable sites in Brazil.

Why go there?

Visit the peak of Corcovado, where the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. From here amazing views to the harbor open.

Photo by Unknown

Photo by Unknown

Photo by Unknown

Photo by Unknown

6. Aurora Borealis

Seen in the northern hemisphere, Aurora Borealis has recently been announced among the seven natural wonders of the world by CNN. Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Norway are the best places to go watch it. In winter they are seen most often and almost from anywhere.

Why go there?

People have been mesmerized by the sky even before the civilizations were erected. Besides stargazing, watching the Northern Lights play provide a truly breathtaking experience.

Aurora Borealis in Iceland

5. Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

The Colorado River has carved the biggest canyon in the world. It provides numerous hiking, climbing and camping opportunities. Some places, like Havasu Falls and pools, provide a refreshing swim!

Why go there?

An indeed incredible site, an evidence of millions of year of geological processes.

Photo by Unknown

Photo by Unknown

Photo by Unknown

Photo by Unknown

4. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Maranhão, Brazil

The beautiful park is an unusual area, where wet, rainy climate and sandy landscape match, with almost no vegetation, however. Sand dunes, often accompanied by lagoons, define the landscape. The sandy scenery is not a desert, though. But it definitely looks like one, therefore, the pools add up to the uniqueness of the park.

Why go there?

This is indeed a unique site. Water is crystal clear, warm and perfect for swimming.

Photo by Unknown

Photo by Unknown

Photo by Michael Anderson

Photo by Unknown

Photo by Unknown

3. Milford Sound, New Zealand

The fjord is a favorite tourist destination in New Zealand and owns a legendary appraisal by Rudyard Kipling, who called it the eighth Wonder of the World. The fjord has two waterfalls – Lady Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls, accompanied by the hundreds of temporary falls after a heavy rain. Well developed tourism provides with the best service and tours to this magnificent place.

Why go there?

Number one site in gorgeous New Zealand. Scenic, Nature or overnight cruises are offered, as well as canoeing in Milford Sound. Also, it is one of the best places to explore by kayaking!

Photo by by Alok Gohil

Photo by Soniel Dalumpines

Photo by Daniel Furfari

Photo by Lawrence Roffee

Photo by by Michael Thien

2. Mount Everest, the Himalayas

Found on the border of Nepal, Tibet, and Chine, Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth. The Himalayan range itself provides amazing landscape, mountain lakes, scenic rides and of course opportunities to climb.

Why go there?

Only the professionals go climb the mountain and it is the life challenge. Nevertheless, anyone can find great trails to hike or climb.

Mount Everest and Nuptse view in Nepal

Everest and Lhotse

1. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The most precious marine gem sprawls for over 2,300 kilometers (1,400В mi) in the Coral Sea. It is one of the most pristine and versatile marine colonies in the world. The colorful marine diversity attracts thousands of tourists every year, who love to explore it by snorkeling and diving.

Why go there?

Various tourist agencies provide lessons and facilities to dive and discover this breathtaking underwater world!

Top 10 Natural Wonders of the World

Many people are interested in visiting some of the natural wonders of the world, but can’t decide which ones to visit. In this article, we have compiled a list of ten of the most popular and spectacular natural attractions on Earth. From rain forests to glaciers, these places are sure to amaze and fascinate you!

What are the original 7 natural wonders of the world? Below is the list of natural wonders everyone should see in their lifetime.

10. Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is one of the most beautiful and interesting natural wonders of the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in Vietnam and is home to some of the best-known creatures in the sea, including large fish, dolphins, and sharks.

The bay is also home to a wide variety of coral reefs, which provide a beautiful backdrop to the fish and other creatures swimming around them.

The bay is also home to several unusual rocks formations, including crystal-clear waterfalls that drop into the ocean below.

Ha Long Bay is a great place to visit if you are looking for a scenic natural wonder that is also full of life and activity.

9. Table Mountain

Table Mountain is a volcanic mountain in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It rises to 2,209 m (7,310 ft) above sea level, making it the highest mountain in southern Africa. The mountain is named after the Table River, which flows near its base.

Table Mountain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Africa. It is particularly well-known for its stunning view of Cape Town and the Table Bay coastline. The mountain is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the world’s second-largest cable car system and the Signal Hill Observatory.

The mountain is located in a protected national park, making it a safe place to visit. There are no trails on the summit, so visitors must take care when hiking up the mountain. There are several designated routes that visitors can follow to reach the summit. All visitors must follow these routes and stay on marked trails at all times.

Table Mountain is one of South Africa’s most iconic attractions. It is worth visiting if you’re in the area and want to see some of South Africa’s most beautiful scenery

8. Puerto Princesa Underground River

One of the top natural wonders of the world is the Puerto Princesa Underground River. This river is found in the Philippines and is famous for its unusual underground environment.

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is a river that flows through an underground system. This system was created over thousands of years by the flow of water and the action of rainwater on the Earth’s surface. As a result, the river has an environment that is very different from that of the surface.

The main difference between the environment above ground and below ground is that there is less light down below. This means that the river contains more organic material, which makes it a popular tourist destination. Visitors can explore the cave system, swim in pools filled with fresh water, and see speleothems (stalactites and stalagmites).

7. Jeju Island

Jeju Island is a beautiful volcanic island located in South Korea. It is known for its crystal-clear water and lush forests. Jeju Island is home to some of the world’s most amazing natural wonders, including the Hallasan Mountain and the Gochang Valley.

One of the most famous attractions on Jeju Island is the Hallasan Mountain. This mountain is part of the Hallasan National Park, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. The mountain has a peak height of 931 meters (3,020 feet), and it is considered one of the sacred mountains in South Korea.

The Gochang Valley is also a popular attraction on Jeju Island. This valley contains several beautiful waterfalls, including the Namgo Waterfall and the Boseong Waterfall. The valley also contains several fruit orchards, which make it a great spot for a picnic lunch.

Jeju Island is a beautiful place to visit, and its natural wonders are some of the world’s most amazing. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy some stunning scenery without having to travel too far, Jeju Island should be at the top of your list.

6. Parícutin

Parícutin is a natural wonder located in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico, and it is also one of the most mysterious.

Parícutin is made up of two volcanoes, Ruiz and Ixtapan, that are connected by a narrow valley. The two volcanoes are approximately 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) high and they have been active for more than 2 million years.

Parícutin is famous for its geysers, which flow from the two volcanoes at different rates. The faster-flowing geysers are called “plumes,” while the slower-flowing geysers are called “fountains.”

The geysers of Parícutin are among the most photographed geysers in the world. They are also some of the most dangerous: If you are too close to a geyser when it erupts, you can be injured or killed.

5. Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls is a spectacular waterfall located in the Brazilian state of Paraná. At 3,840 feet (1,158 meters) high, it is the world’s sixth tallest waterfall and the ninth highest flowing waterfalls in the world.

The falls are composed of two main streams that fall from opposite sides of a narrow gorge. The water crashes over a series of cataracts and overhanging rocks before emerging into a wide basin below.

The falls are well known for their beauty and power, and they have been featured in many movies and photos. They are a popular tourist destination, with visitors able to walk to the bottom of the falls or take guided tours.

4. Aurora

Aurora is one of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world. It is a colorful and dramatic display in the sky that can be seen all over the world.

Aurora is caused by the collision of two charged particles, or ions, in the Earth’s atmosphere. The collision creates a burst of energy that excites atoms and molecules in the air. These excited atoms and molecules release photons, which is what gives Aurora its color.

Aurora usually occurs during the night, when it is easiest to see. It can also be seen during the day if you are near a bright light source.

3. Mount Everest

Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth, and it is also one of the most popular destinations for tourists. It is located in the Himalayas, and it is considered to be one of the natural wonders of the world.

Mount Everest is a very challenging mountain to climb, and it has claimed the lives of many climbers. However, if you are prepared for the challenge, Mount Everest is definitely a destination you should visit. The summit of Mount Everest is only accessible by climbing up the advanced base camps. Once you reach the summit, you will be able to see some of the most stunning views on Earth.

2. Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most famous and beautiful natural wonders. It is made up of over 2,000 individual reefs and islands, stretching for over 800 miles along the Australian coast.

The reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to thousands of different kinds of coral. The reef also contains a large number of fish, including some of the world’s deadliest sharks.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most important tourism destinations. Every year, it attracts over 2 million visitors who visit the reef to see its beauty.

1. Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of the most beautiful and iconic natural wonders in the world. It is located in Arizona. And also is known for its incredible geology, beauty, and wildlife.

The Grand Canyon has been called one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And also ranked as one of the top 10 tourist destinations in the United States. The canyon was carved out by the Colorado River over millions of years.

The Grand Canyon is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, bighorn sheep, elk, and bears. The canyon also has a number of ancient cliff dwellings that were used by the Ancestral Pueblo people. These dwellings are some of the oldest remaining structures in North America.

The original seven wonders of the world are;

The seven wonders of modern world are;

Seven Natural Wonders of the World

In 1997, CNN announced a listing of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

The new seven wonders of the world are;

On July 7, 2007, based on online voting from around the world, a new set of the Seven Wonders of the World announced…

The 7 natural wonders of the world include the Northern Lights, the Grand Canyon, Paricutin, Mount Everest, Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Victoria Falls, and the Great Barrier Reef.

According to the National Geographic Society, there are no official seven natural wonders of the world. Therefore, Niagara Falls is not on any special list.

«The seven natural wonders of the world». Открытый интерактивный урок в 10-м классе

ПОЯСНИТЕЛЬНАЯ ЗАПИСКА

Урок состоит из нескольких этапов:

Для подготовки к этому виду учебной деятельности учащиеся провели самостоятельно поиск и отбор учебного материала, и на его основе разработали мультимедийные презентации по следующим темам:

План изложения материала о природном объекте предлагается учителем. Согласно нему в мультимедийной презентации должно быть рассказано о происхождении природного объекта, его географическом положении, занимаемой им территории, его растительном и животном мире, его уникальности и мерам, предпринимаемым по его защите.

После выступления высказываются мнения одноклассников, докладчикам задают вопросы.

В качестве домашнего задания предлагается по просмотренному видеофрагменту написать эссе (200-230 слов) на тему «Я люблю мой мир». При этом учащиеся должны максимально проявить свои творческие способности, фантазию и продемонстрировать достаточно высокий уровень лексической и грамматической подготовки.

Цели урока: развитие творческих способностей, ИКТ-компетентности, основных коммуникативных и грамматических умений учащихся.

Задачи урока:

Образовательные и познавательные:

Воспитательные:

Развивающие:

Оборудование урока: компьютер; мультимедийный проектор; интерактивная доска (или интерактивное копи-устройство Mimio).

ХОД УРОКА

I. Organization Period (Организационный момент)

Приветствие, представление, определение настроения учащихся, сообщение целей и задач урока.

Teacher: Good afternoon, students.

Students: Good afternoon, teacher.

Teacher: Take your seats, please. I’m glad to see you today. How are you?

Students: We are fine, thanks. And you?

Teacher: I’m OK too. Thank you. Today out task is to get acquainted with some unique natural masterpieces using multimedia technologies. So, let’s start.

II. Acquaintance with the seven natural wonders of the world (Знакомство с семью чудесами природы)

There are many magnificent places on the Earth with origins that sometimes can’t be explained. The more we look around us, the more wonders we see in the world. There is no definitive list that one can point to and claim that these are the only natural wonders. Here is the list of the seven natural wonders of the world:

Учитель, используя интерактивную географическую карту,

выполненную в программе MS Power Point, показывает местоположение каждого природного объекта из данного списка.

Today we’ll learn some information about these natural wonders while doing some assignments.

III. Match the words: Dictionary corner (упражнение на установление соответствий выражений их значениям)

Для закрепления пройденных лексических единиц используется упражнение, выполненное в программе Hot Potatoes JMatch.

В этом упражнении необходимо сопоставить отдельные выражения их лексическим значениям. В этом упражнении учащиеся используют возможности интерактивной доски и учатся работать с основными элементами образовательной интерактивной среды MOODLE.

IV. Studying new material

1. The interactive lecture «Mount Everest» (Интерактивная лекция «гора Эверест»)

Teacher: Now we’ll listen to our interactive guides Tim and Moby who will tell us about the highest mountain in the world Everest, its location, shape, origin, the first people who climbed it, etc. While watching the flash about Everest pay attention to the details as you are supposed to answer some questions.

Изучение нового материала на тему «гора Эверест» проводится с помощью интерактивной лекции. Учащиеся смотрят небольшой аутентичный видеофрагмент (сделанный во флеш-плеере), в котором интерактивные помощники Тим и Моби

популярно рассказывают о горе Эверест, ее географическом положении, форме, происхождении, альпинистах, впервые ее покоривших и т. д. После просмотра лекции учащиеся отвечают на вопросы по тематике лекции.

Answer the following questions

2. Fill in the gaps: Victoria Falls (Упражнение на заполнение пропусков в текст о водопаде Виктория)

Teacher: Ok. Now we’ll do another assignment where you should choose the correct parts of the sentences. While doing it you will get acquainted with another natural wonder Victoria Falls. Also we’ll watch a short video about the fantastic falls.

После изучения лекции и обсуждения вопросов учащиеся выполняют задание на заполнение пропусков в текст о водопаде Виктория.

Это задание выполнено в оболочке Moodle, и является одним из элементов курса — тест.

3. Reading the authentic text about auroras. Quiz (Чтение аутентичного текста о полярных сияниях. Тестирование)

Teacher: Now students we are to read the interesting text about auroras. Do you know what aurora is? It is a beautiful, dynamic display of shifting colored lights. We’ll read and translate a small passage about the physical explanation, locations and peculiarities of this natural phenomenon. A small video clip about Aurora Borealis will help you to understand better these items. After that we’ll do a quiz with the help of the interactive board.

Учащимся предлагается прочитать и перевести фрагмент аутентичного текста о полярных сияниях).

В тексте рассказано о физической сущности, местоположениях, особенностях этого природного явления. После выполнения задания учащиеся проходят тест по тематике прочитанного. Тест сделан с помощью элемента среды MOODLE. В задании также имеется небольшой видеофрагмент о северном полярном сиянии, который поможет учащимся лучше понять это природное явление.

1) What is Aurora?
a. a strong wind in the northern parts of our planet
b. a dynamic display of shifting coloured lights
c. coloured lights from the space

2) Where do Auroras occur?
a. in the part of the medium atmosphere
b. in the part of the lower atmosphere
c. in the part of the upper atmosphere

3) Where can Auroras be seen?
a. in the high latitudes of the Northern and Southern hemispheres
b. in the low latitudes of the Northern and Southern hemispheres
c. both in the high and low latitudes of the Northern and Southern hemispheres

4) Aurora Polaris is a general name for.
a. the northern and southern lights
b. only the northern lights
c. only the southern lights

5) What is the physical explanation of Auroras?
a. It occurs because of differences in atmospheric pressure
b. It occurs because of differences in temperature
c. It is the result of electrical particles flowing out from the sun

6) What do the colours of the aurora depend on?
a. the altitude at which the atomic collisions occur
b. the type of atoms that are struck
c. both the altitude at which the atomic collisions occur and the type of atoms that are struck

4. Listening to the text about the Great Barrier Reef. Discussion (Аудирование с использованием аутентичного текста о Большом Барьерном рифе. Дискуссия)

Teacher: Here is the next natural wonder from our list. The Great Barrier Reef is a stunning natural sculpture. This unique coral reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, with over 3000 individual coral reefs and 900 separate islands located within the Great Barrier Reef. People from all over the world come here to explore the thousand year old living coral reef, and see a lot of different biological species and types of vegetation.

Now we’ll do the next assignment in which you are supposed to listen to the text about the Great Barrier Reef and then answer the questions.

После чтения текста о полярных сияниях учащимся предлагается упражнение на аудирование по аутентичному тексту на тему «Большой Барьерный риф». Перед аудированием учитель дает небольшую информацию об этом уникальном природном объекте. После выполнения задания необходимо ответить на ряд вопросов на понимание прослушанного текста.

Answer the following questions

5. Multimedia presentations about other natural wonders (Выступления учащихся с мультимедийными презентациями о чудесах природы)

Teacher: During this lesson you’ve learnt a lot of interesting information about the natural wonders of our planet. But not all of them were considered. According to the scheme you are supposed to tell us about the location, uniqueness, wildlife, area, origin and protection of this wonder. Try to be short. After multimedia presentations we’ll discuss your reports.

До проведения открытого урока учитель предлагает темы мультимедийных презентаций, которые необходимо подготовить в программе MS Power Point. По предложенной учителем схеме

учащиеся составляют небольшие презентации о чудесах природы и выступают с ними, используя интерактивную доску. Всего заслушиваются три доклада, т. к. среди неохваченных на уроке чудес природы остались: Вулкан Парикутин,

После выступлений можно провести дискуссию.

V. Totals (Выводы)

Teacher: Thank you very much for this interesting lesson. Today we’ve learned about seven natural wonders of the world. Also you’ve got acquainted with basic elements of learning environment MOODLE, worked a lot with multimedia technologies including interactive board. You’ve done various assignments which, I hope, will enlarge your scope, vocabulary, develop your practical and grammar skills. So, enjoy and take care of our nature, get surprised at the beauty of our world. Remember the following saying: «Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the Earth are never alone or weary of life».

Thank you. See you next time. Here is your homework.

VI. Homework (Домашнее задание)

Teacher: Your homework is to write an essay (200-230 words) about our world. The title of your work should be «I love my world». You may follow your own plan in your essay or make even a short story. You are going to express all your fantasy, use all your skills. The video clip will facilitate this work.

В качестве домашнего задания учащимся предлагается написать небольшое эссе (200-230 слов) на тему «Я люблю мой мир». Учащиеся свободны в выборе плана эссе. Главная их задача — максимально проявить фантазию и использовать пройденные лексические единицы и грамматические структуры. Для упрощения работы рекомендуется просмотреть небольшой видеофрагмент по данной теме.

Natural Wonders of the World : the best waterfalls in the world

Ever since I was little I have been amazed by waterfalls. My parents took me all over Austria where we found them in all sizes … short – long – small – big … I couldn’t help but wonder where all that water was coming from. So I sometimes just sat down on a rock, while my brother and sister were playing in the water, I was dreaming about waterfalls. It’s hard to come up with “just” a list of waterfalls. You can measure by size, length, width, type, flow rate and so on.

The ones I have seen are all entirely different from one another but all worth visiting. So I figured that I’d inspire you with a list of the best waterfalls in the world, ranked from bottom to top below. Enjoy!

Table of Contents | Inhoudsopgave

Tvindefossen, Norway

Norway really has some amazing waterfalls and I happened to see plenty of them when they were huge due to a large amount of rainfall. Tvindefossen is located in Fjord Norway between Voss and Stalheim and drops more than 150 meters into the deep. Insider tip: there’s an unknown trail to the top of the falls, read more about it in this article!

Shannon Falls, British Columbia, Canada

I had never heard of these falls before until I drove up to Whistler from Vancouver. The Sea to Sky Highway is stunning and I was pleasantly surprised when finding this waterfall on my way. As it was already quite late in the afternoon I didn’t stay too long, however if you are ever around, it’s well worth the stopping.

Earland Falls, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

You will have to walk a fair bit to get to see them, but the Earland Falls won’t disappoint you. The 178 m. high falls are well hidden in Fiordland National Park and can be seen when hiking the famous Routeburn Track. I came here early in the morning while it was still chilly and no one else was there. Just stunning!

Gulfoss, Iceland

It’s impossible to pick just one waterfall in Iceland so instead I have added two Icelandic falls to our list. The Gullfoss (or Golden Waterfall) is in the Golden Circle, a famous day tour for tourists from Reykjavik. Even though there will be herds of other tourists and no matter how many times you go there they will always be pretty impressive.

Krimml Waterfalls, Höhe Tauern National Park, Austria

I remember these falls well as I went there with my parents a couple of times during my childhood. Back in 2012 I went back there while hiking in Austria. They are the highest falls in Austria and among the highest in Europe. It’s a fair way up to reach the upper falls but the path is paved and relatively easy for those in good shape.

Skogafoss, Iceland

If you drive along Iceland’s south coast you can’t miss this incredibly stunning waterfall. It comes from the Skoga river and there’s a legend going on that a treasure is buried in a cave behind the falls. A trail will lead you up to the falls, a path that will eventually bring you to Fimmvörðuháls and Thórsmörk. Iceland´s best waterfall if you ask me!

Lower Yellowstone Falls

I already wrote about Yellowstone earlier on a lot but nonetheless I keep on saying that the Lower Yellowstone Falls completely surprised me with its beauty. There´s a giant network of trails with views from all kinds of places. Definitely a sight within Yellowstone that one should not miss!

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Probably the most famous falls in the world! No matter how crowded it is, you can´t not love the Niagara Falls. Divided into an American and Canadian section, the most impressive part is definitely the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side (sorry Americans!). You can see them by foot, in the “Journey Behind the Falls”, from the “Maid of the Mist” boat or from a helicopter. Needless to say the latter option is the better one…

Khone Falls, Laos

Totally unexpected yet gorgeous. During my backpacking trip through South East Asia back in 2003 I came across these falls on the way from Cambodia to Laos. I had never heard of these falls and had zero expectations, making it a complete surprise when seeing them from a distance. I had to travel onwards within moments but I’ll never remember how stunning they were.

Iguazu, Argentina and Brazil

It will probably not come as a surprise to you that the falls at Iguazu come on top of this list of best waterfalls in the world. The hundreds of falls are well hidden in the jungle and a true wonderland. You can see them from both Brazilian and Argentinean side and you can keep walking around them for days. Make sure to get on a boat ride into the falls to get soaked, it will make your trip even more fantastic!

As we’ve come to the end of our list, you might wonder if there are waterfalls for me left to see? Sure there are. As a waterfall fan, I definitely want to see the Vic Falls in Africa one day. Another one would be Yosemite Falls in the US. I hope I can continue to see falls all across the world and hope you enjoyed this article with the best waterfalls in the world!

20 natural wonders of Russia (PHOTOS)

1. Baikal

This lake has many superlatives to its name: deepest, most voluminous, most ancient freshwater body, etc. Besides its incredible size, it is famous for its flora and fauna — about 1,000 kinds of living organisms, including 27 species of fish, live only in this lake. Although tourism is on the rise, away from the most popular places you can still encounter pristine nature.

Read our Baikal travel guide here, and view breathtaking photos of Baikal’s winter ice here.

2. Valley of Geysers

It’s hard to do verbal justice to the beauty and unreality of this place. Columns of hot steam burst forth from under the ground, and bears can sometimes be found wallowing in the natural mud pools. All this takes place over a small area of ​​around 6 sq km in the canyon of the Geysernaya River in Kamchatka.

Incidentally, the valley was discovered only recently, in 1941, by geologist Tatiana Ustinova, who made it there with a guide on a dog sled. In 2007, the valley vanished from the face of the earth after a landslide, but in 2013 the geysers started gushing again, and a new landslide cleared away the natural dam.

Today, the most common way to get there is by helicopter from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

3. Karelia

The map of this northern republic is criss-crossed by lakes and waterfalls, giving the impression of a world with more water than land. The cliffs, blanketed by dense coniferous forests, offer endless scope for exploration, but for an instant impression be sure to visit Ruskeala Mountain Park, which, incidentally, is just a day’s ride from St. Petersburg, the final leg of which is done aboard an atmospheric retro train.

Read about Karelia’s other charms here.

4. Altai

The Altai Mountains are still home to many unexplored paths, and a trip here is not recommended to comfort lovers. But for those willing to suffer the Spartan conditions and days-long foot marches, the reward is an incredible vista of mountain peaks, fast-flowing rivers, and flowery meadows. One of the most beautiful roads in all of Russia is the Chuisky tract, which passes through Altai.

Read our tips for travelers to Altai here.

5. Curonian Spit

In westernmost Russia lies a unique nature reserve, where the most bizarrely shaped “dancing” trees have grown along a sandy narrow spit almost 100 km long. Here you can walk the incredible eco-trails with an (audio) guide among the dunes and futuristic sandy beaches, and breathe in the fresh pine air.

Read more about the spit here.

6. Manpupuner

These stone giants in the Urals were once mountains, but the erosive influence of wind and time has reduced them to pillars. True, the local Mansi people have their own legends about how their stone idols got here. It’s possible to get here by helicopter (the soft option) or by slogging it on foot and taking in the mysterious, infamous Dyatlov Pass along the way.

Read more and see photos here.

7. Lena Pillars

These otherworldly cliffs stretch for 40 km along the Lena River, picturesquely reflected in its waters. The “pillars” are a monument to several evolutionary cycles, and preserve the remains of Paleozoic-era creatures. Mammoths and other extinct mammals have been found here too. You can get here by boat in summer and by snowmobile from Yakutsk in winter.

8. Mount Elbrus

The Caucasus mountain range is a treasure-trove of natural wonders, among them scenic waterfalls and mountain lakes. All this splendor is crowned, literally, by Mount Elbrus, the “Russian Everest” and Europe’s highest peak. From there, a view opens up of the entire Caucasus, as does the unique opportunity to stay in a capsule hotel on the mountainside.

If you’re in two minds about attempting the peak, see here for the stories of foreigners who already tried. Find out what else to see in the Caucasus here.

9. Kungur Ice Cave

Vladimir Chuprikov (CC BY-SA 4.0)

From soaring peaks, let’s take a trip underground. Not far from the Ural city of Perm is an underground ice palace, where eternal winter reigns. You won’t meet a snow queen here, but every step uncovers myriad grottoes, underground lakes, snow crystals, stalactites, and stalagmites.

10. Putorana Plateau

This unique plateau in remote northern Siberia is riddled with ancient traps — deep gorges through which volcanic lava flowed hundreds of thousands of years ago. It is a land of cliffs, waterfalls, and stunning lakes. The area of ​​this mountain plateau is almost 250,000 sq km (for comparison, the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona covers about 5,000 sq km).

11. Kamchatka volcanoes

The landscapes of Kamchatka are striking for their diversity. Most astonishing of all are its volcanoes, which, as tourists say, literally magnetize the eye. Around 30 active and 300 extinct volcanoes in this region are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Some emit plumes of smoke, others properly erupt.

Many volcanoes, especially near the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, can be climbed as part of an organized excursion.

12. Lake Sasyk-Sivash

The Crimean Peninsula is rich in natural beauty. The mountains are low, but incredibly scenic, plus there are caves, wild beaches, and unbelievable landscapes. But one place near the city of Yevpatoria is truly unique — and attracts crowds of Instagrammers. This is the salty Lake Sasyk-Sivash, which ranges in color from pink to bright coral, depending on the time of the year. And all because of its algae, which produce β-carotene.

See more photos of this natural beauty here.

13. Tikhaya Bay, Sakhalin

Tikhaya (Quiet) Bay is one of the most picturesque places on the distant island of Sakhalin in the very east of Russia. Even in bad weather, the bay is sheltered from the wind by the rocky shores that seem to embrace it from both sides. Tourists can climb the local hills and admire the bay from above.

Read about other scenic spots in Sakhalin here.

14. Kinzelyuk Waterfall

This utterly amazing sight opens up to the brave explorer who penetrates this most hard-to-reach place in the Sayan Mountains in Krasnoyarsk Territory. The waterfall beautifully cascades from one mountain lake into another, and then into a mountain river. At its maximum, the waterfall is 90 meters high.

15. Chara Sands

This desert region, 700 km east of Lake Baikal, is one of the strangest in the world. Its 30 sq km of sand are surrounded by taiga forest, swampland, and lakes, and the transition from desert to other types of landscape is very abrupt. Where else can you see a desert cheek by jowl with snow-capped mountain peaks?

For details and more photos, see here.

16. Franz Josef Land

This archipelago of more than 190 islands in the Arctic Ocean will amaze intrepid travelers with its incredible snowy scenery. Also located in this permafrost zone is the northernmost point of Russia. It is home to one of Earth’s most extraordinary wonders: the perfectly round stones on Champ Island. Scientists still disagree about how they formed.

Read more about this enigma here.

17. Vasyugan Swamp

Sergei Fomin/Global Look Press

It’s hard to imagine that a swamp could be worthy of attention, much less a natural wonder. However, this marshland in Tomsk Region is completely unique, if only for its vast size. At 53,000 sq km, it is bigger than some European countries — and is continually expanding too. As a huge reservoir of fresh water, the swamp is under state protection. In addition, bog peat helps to slow down climate change. How? Read here!

18. Lake Elton

Salt from this lake was once served on the dining table of Russian tsars and eminent nobles. These days, salt is mined mainly from the neighboring Lake Baskunchak, while Elton has become a natural landmark. In summer, the water here almost completely dries up, causing the salt to cling like ice to plants and anything else in the lake. So tourists are advised to wear strong shoes to avoid salt burn.

19. Mount Bolshoi Bogdo

Nearby the salty Lake Baskunchak in Astrakhan Region, there stands an unusual mountain that nature really has had fun with. The salt dome is covered with sandstone and clay, and the weathering process has created amusing cheese-like cliffs. Plus, there are many caves and niches with traces of ancient creatures.

Read about Crimea’s “cheesy” cliffs here.

20. Jack London Lake

In Magadan Region, near the Kolyma River, there is a picturesque place — a narrow elongated lake with a sinuous fjord-esque landscape. The surrounding climate is harsh: not for nothing is the area notorious as the site of the most brutal Gulag camps in Soviet times. But even the darkest pages of history cannot spoil the natural beauty here.

Its unusual name is believed to have been coined by geologists who happened to be fans of the US writer. However, according to legend, members of the first expedition here mysteriously found a copy of Jack London’s book Martin Eden on the lakefront.

If using any of Russia Beyond’s content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

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8 NATURAL WONDERS OF THE WORLD.

Here are 8 natural wonders of the world. It’s quite a beautiful world that we live in. Some are natural and others are constructed by man that seems to dominate the planet while still discovering it’s beauty.

Today i am going to list 8 natural wonders of the world that i know that are awe-striking and if given one chance to visit them everyone should because life is short and it only comes once. What is the excuse of not being happy and not visiting these beautiful places that we live with.

1. Grand Canyon, Arizona, U.S.A.

Tourists right on the edge of the Grand Canyonon a glass that is transparent, firm and strong.

The Grand Canyon is among the natural wonders of the world. It’s the most awe-striking site in the United States. The steep-sided gorge is carved by the Colorado River. It was formed over two billion years ago due to mother nature’s work. However the floor of the valley is accessible by foot or by rafting. Activities to do there include hiking and running which are very popular. It has been a world heritage site since 1981.

2. The Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

Tourists swimming in the Great Barrier Reef,Australia.

This breathtaking site stretches 2600 kms and it can be seen from outer space. A holiday in Australia would be ideal from November to May when summer temperature are pleasant and the aquatic life is most vibrant. It’s among the 8 natural wonders of the world.
3.Harbor Of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

The Harbor of Rio De Janiero.

A map of Mount Everest’s location, touristsvisiting and hiking the mountain when the moment isright and images of the mountain from a distance.

This is the world’s largest peak standing at 29,035 feet. It was named after Sir. George Everest and it is situated at the border of Nepal and Tibet. The shifting tectonic plates continue to push Mt. Everest upwards and therefore those wishing to stand at the summit, should choose the moment in Early May when the mountain is most inviting.
5. Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis.

A beautiful scenery Aurora Borealisand Aurora Australis.

Aurora is a natural display of light in the sky. Aurora Borealis can be seen from the northern latitudes while it’s counterpart Aurora Australis is visible from high southern altitudes in Antarctica,South America, New Zealand and Australia. These lights are both among the 8 natural wonders of the world.

6. Paricutin Volcano, Michocan, Mexico.

Paricutin Volcano erupting, an old building that wasalmost covered completely by the magma whenthe volcano erupted initially, a map of it’s location and a bird’s eye view of the volcano.

This is a volcano in Mexican state, Michocan that was naturally formed on the western hemisphere and is considered active. It’s said t have grown out of a corn field on a farm owned by a local Michocan farmer. He and his wife heard rumbles from the ground and saw a mounted anthill-like formation n their cornfield which later immensly increased in size and erupted without notice to what is now known as paricutin volcano. However the farmer and his wife managed to flee to a nearby village which was safer and lived to tell the tale together with the many farmers that lost their farms but had no choice but to flee to safer villages.
7.Victoria falls, Zambezi River, Africa.

Images of Victoria falls “the greatest curtain of falling water”the Zambezi lodge,tourists sporting anda dynamic view of the beautiful scenery.

It is a spectacular site inspiring natural beauty and gradeur of the Zambezi river and borders Zambia and Zimbabwe. it’s also known as,“The Greatest long Curtain of Falling Water,” which can be seen from miles away.
8. The Great Wild Beast Migration,Maasai Mara, Kenya.

The Maasai Mara wild beast migration,it’s environs and the Maasai natives.

Maasai Mara is located 290 kilometres from Nairobi the capital city. It’s officially known throughout the world as the 8th natural wonder of the world and many have come back time and again to witness this mass movement of wild animals roaming freely through the unspoiled and savage wilderness in their millions.It’s numbers have risen to 3 million wild beasts and 1.5 million zebras.

Come experience the massive display which attracts hundreds of big cats.

NOTE: The links will open in second web browser or tab so you will not lose track of this web page.

The natural wonders of the world

Жамбыл облысы Шу қаласы

Ғани Мұратбаев атындағы орта мектебі

Ағылшын тілі пәнінің мұғалімі : Бейсембаева Қ.М.

School: G. Muratbaev

Teacher name: Beysembaeva K.M

Theme: The natural wonders of the world

Learning objectives(s) that this lesson is contributing to

6.L1 understand and sequence of supported classroom instructions

6.S3 give an opinion at sentence level on a limited range of general and curricular topics

6.4.2.1-understand independently specific information and detail in short, simple

texts on a limited range of general and curricular topics;

6.5.8.1- spell most high-frequency vocabulary accurately for a limited range of

familiar general topics and some curricular topics

6.1.1.1- use speaking and listening skills to solve problems creatively and

cooperatively in groups;

All learners will be able to:

-To read for specific information, to act out a phone conversation, to write about a place of natural beauty, to learn about silent letters

All learners will be able to:

-To read for specific information, to act out a phone conversation, to write about a place of natural beauty, to learn about silent letters

All learners will be able to:

-To read for specific information, to act out a phone conversation, to write about a place of natural beauty, to learn about silent letters

*can follow classroom instructions

*can comment at sentences level on curricular topics

*can work with given texts with help

Cooperation, personal state

Projector or Smart board to show a presentation, notebook

Students know vocabulary related to the topic

It’s time to think

It’s time to speak

It’s time to show

Try do it faster. And well do it as fast as you can.

T greets learners and using method “find your place”, T gives papers with the names of Natural wonders to Ss.

Ss look at the cards and are divided into three groups.

Activity 1. Lead-in. Match the words with pictures

The Grand Canyon

Volcano eruptions

The Mount Everest

-What are they? Can you guess the theme of our lesson?

The natural wonders of the world

T-S) T introduces new words and pronounces them. Ss repeat after T two times.

Activity 2.Whole class. T) wants to suggest short video. T asks some questions and Ss answer them. Teacher uses the strategy ‘’hand questions”

After watching video students answer the questions

What this video is about? What have you seen in this video?

What is the waterfalls like?

How much waterfalls flows to the Niagara falls?

Who develops the hydro electric power?

Activity 3. Reading.After reading. Differentiation task.

I – group (S-S) (G) T gives worksheets with information about natural wonders to each group and asks to prepare for project work. Ss work with given tasks in groups.Ss use materials and complete the diagram.

can work individually with text

ask each other questions

conducts group discussion

-works in the group

-reads the text carefully

-discusses in the group

-complete the claster

Ss of other groups assess them by ‘Traffic light’

Ss hang stickers with green color for great job, yellow color for good job, red color for done job with poor presentation.

Who collects more adjectives?

Niagara falls is…………

III-Group. True or False

1) The Niagara falls is located in Great Britain.____

2) It lies between Canada and the USA._____

3 )Niagara falls is the first largest waterfalls in the world.____

4) Niagara falls is producer of electric power.____

Activity4.Physical training. Are you tired? Have a rest!

Activity5. Differentiation task. Act out the role.

II- group- Tourists

Ss of other groups assess them by ‘Traffic light’

Ss hang stickers with green color for great job, yellow color for good job, red color for done job with poor presentation.

Reflection. Ss send coments to T’s phone

Sheets of papers

Sheets of papers with the names of

Green, yellow, red

Differentiation-how do you plan to give more support?

How do you plan to challenge the more able learners?

Assessment-how are you planning to check learner’s learning

Health and safety check

In activity 1 differentiation by support because students watch the video about tasks

In activity 2 differentiation

In activity 3 differentiation by outcome.

Health and safety check : every classroom precautions will ensure that safety measure are provided to prevent the exposure of electrical power cords

ICT links: Projector or Smart board to show a presentation, notebook

Value links :cooperation, personal state

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The 7 Natural Wonders of the World

If the Seven Wonders of the World demonstrates the most remarkable creations of human race, then the 7 Wonders of the Natural World are confirmation — if confirmation is needed — that Mother Nature is just as brilliant an architect.

Diverse lists of the Wonders of the World have been compiled from the distant past to the present day to catalogue the world’s most amazing natural wonders and manmade structures.

Based on guidebooks popular among Hellenic sightseers and which only includes works located around the Mediterranean rim, the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is the first known list of the most extraordinary creations of classical antiquity. Modern people and organizations have made their own lists of wonderful things ancient and modern following in the tradition of the classical list. Seven Natural Wonders launched an endeavor to expand the 7 Natural Wonders of the World by creating campaigns to add the Seven Natural Wonders for each continent. Because every wonder of nature was qualified with no requirements for entry fees and sponsorship fees of any kind, these campaigns differed from the efforts of New7Wonders. This campaign was further distinguished by avoiding the influence of advertising, marketing and social media. The winning wonders are determined by experts from around the world who leveraged statistical and traditional significance, individuality, and pure grandeur.

The 7 Natural Wonders of the World:

Seven Natural Wonders was established to guard the original vision and announcement of the seven natural wonders of the world. CNN published the commonly accepted list even though there is some dispute about the exact list. The charge of Seven Natural Wonders is to promote and protect the natural wonders.

Compiled by CNN and Seven Natural Wonders, this list spans all 7 continents and includes some of the depths of the oceans and the supreme heights of the earth. So, what are the seven natural wonders of the world? The 7 natural wonders of the worlds are as follows:

While the list of Natural Wonders of world is often questioning, these seven locations are usually approved upon as being among the most spectacular natural sights in the world.

# The Grand Canyon

One of the 7 natural wonders of the world is the Grand Canyon. It is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the state of Arizona in the United States. This natural wonders of the world is 277 miles (446 km) long and up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile (6,093 feet or 1,857 meters). As the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layer after layer of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted, nearly two billion years of Earth’s geological history have been exposed. The precise geologic processes and timing that formed the Grand Canyon is a subject of debate by geologists. But recent evidence suggests that the course of the Colorado River has been established through the canyon at least 17 million years ago. The Colorado River continued to wear down and form the canyon to its present-day pattern since that time. There are numerous plant and animal species in the Grand Canyon. Its great biological diversity can be ascribed to the presence of five of the seven life zones and three of the four desert types in North America. Lower Sonoran, Upper Sonoran, Transition, Canadian, and Hudsonian are the five life zones found in the canyon. This is comparable to traveling from Mexico to Canada. Elevation differences results in variations in climate. The various life zones and communities in and around the canyon are formed due to these major factors.

As one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, The Grand Canyon offers an inspiring sight. Most of the canyon is managed and contained within the Grand Canyon National Park. It is one of the most famous tourists’ destinations in the U.S.A. Grand Canyon is a natural formation distinguished by its layered bands of red rock and its vast scale. With all-encompassing vistas, it’s a destination for rock climbing, mule rides, camping and aerial tours as well as white-water rafting on the Colorado River.

Increased safety measures have barred visitors from approaching the edge of the canyon quite as closely as they would like in the recent years. Anyone wishing to catch a peek of nature at its most potent and majestic, the Grand Canyon is the best places for it.

# Paricutin

Parícutin is also called Volcán de Parícutin. It is located in the Mexican state of Michoacán, near the city of Uruapan and about 322 km west of Mexico City. Parícutin is a dormant scoria-cone volcano and it is considered as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. Because its formation to extinction has been witnessed and studied by people, this volcano is quite unique.

Parícutin is one section of the Michoacán-Guanajuato. It is a volcanic field that encompasses a big part of western central Mexico. The volcano grew very fast and reached seventy-five percent of its size in its first year.

Three weeks prior to the first eruption, loud reverberating noises that sounded like thunder were noticed by people living near the Parícutin village. In February 1943, this volcano started as a small fissure inside a field of corn that was owned by a local farmer. It grew about five stories high in only one week. It could be seen from distant areas in a month. The majority of Parícutin’s growth took place in the first year when it was in its fiery pyroclastic phase.

Parícutin was over one thousand feet tall after the first year phase. It continued to erupt during the following eight years. Most of the eruptions were comparatively quiet and the lava seared about twenty-five square kilometers of the surrounding land. In that period of time, the volcano’s activity declined gradually. There were however more vicious eruptions that occurred regularly in the last five to six months.

The eruptions ended and the volcano became inactive after reaching its final height of 1,391 ft in 1952. This volcano is monogenetic similar to the majority of cinder cones. This means it will not erupt any more. New eruptions may take place in different parts of the overall volcanic field.

Volcanism is very much a part of the landscape of Mexico. Out of fourteen hundred volcanic vents that exist in North America and Mexico, Parícutin is the youngest. Its volcanic explosions were categorized as Strombolian eruptions that exploded from just one vent and which consist of basaltic lava.

It is a twelve mile journey to reach the top area of this natural wonders. You can reach the top by horseback or by an arduous hike. Traveling to the top of this one of the 7 natural wonders of the world is one of the best ways to observe it because visitors will get a number of excellent views of their surroundings as they go up to the top.

# Aurora

It can be seen in both Polar Regions of the planet. This alluring light show is appropriately referred to as the Northern (or Southern) Lights. Contrasting most of the entries on this list, you can watch an aurora from many different locations around the world; the higher the latitude, the more probable you are to see them. Auroras are a memorable sight that can only be seen by looking to the skies while most of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World play out on land or sea.

One of the 7 natural wonders of the world, Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights are natural lights that glow and sparkle and wave in the sky in the upper part of the northern hemisphere at night. In the southern hemisphere, a similar light can be found and it is called the Aurora Australis. Due to much the similar reason, both types of light occur. The aurora borealis is named after two Greek gods. The goddess of the dawn was named Aurora and the god of the north wind was named Boreas. Aurora was considered divine messages before it was known how the Northern Lights came about.

The Northern Lights occur when protons and electrons are propelled from the sun and hit the upper atmosphere of the earth. The solar wind is the term used for this stream of particles or plasma. The particles are bended toward the magnetic poles by the earth’s magnetic field and as they move they hit the atmospheric particles. As a result they change their electrical charge and glow the way charged particles would glow in a fluorescent light bulb.

Most incidences of the Northern Lights occur in September and October and then a few months later in March and April. A vibrant display of the Earth’s magnetic field interacting with charged particles from the sun is the aurora borealis. It’s also gorgeous and worth braving a cold night out when visiting the high northern (or southern) latitudes.

Centered on the Earth’s magnetic poles, auroras are visible in a roughly circular region around them. As the magnetic and geographic poles aren’t the same, now and then the auroras are visible farther south than one might anticipate, while in other places its farther north.

The auroral zone runs along the northern coast of Siberia, Iceland, Scandinavia, the southern tip of Greenland and northern Canada and Alaska in the Northern Hemisphere. South of the zone, auroras are visible. The farther away you go; they are less likely to occur. You can find the Southern Hemisphere auroral zone in mostly over Antarctica or the Southern Ocean. You have to go to Tasmania to see the southern lights (or aurora australis). There are sporadic sightings in southern Argentina or the Falklands – but those are rare.

# Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is one of the most famous 7 natural wonders of the world. There can be no dispute in placing the Victoria Falls as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. It is located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Zambezi River flows gently until it reaches a broad edge measuring 1700 meters and plunges 100 meters into the foamy, thunderous chasm below.

David Livingstone was the first European to see the falls in November of 1855. The records however show that other foreigners had visited the falls before him. Livingstone first observed the falls from the island before the first drop. In honor of the queen, he named the site as Victoria Falls and the island was called Livingstone Island after him. Locally, the native name Mosi-oa-Tunya or The Smoke that Thunders is still in use. In 2013, the government of Zimbabwe announced plans to officially rename the falls as such.

Victoria Falls is not the highest or the widest waterfall in the world. But as it has the widest sheet of falling water in the world, it is considered as the biggest waterfall in the whole world. As one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, the falls have become a very popular place for visitors to go white water rafting, bungee jumping and river boarding. Some of the scariest white water rafting and river boarding for beginners as well as for those with experience are provided by the downstream rapids of the river after the falls. Bungee jumpers also benefit from the excitement of Victoria Falls. From the bridge by the falls, adventurers can jump down 111 meters into the falls. Apart from rafting and bungee jumping, visitors can also enjoy bird watching, walking trails, aerial trips on a helicopter, and shopping.

The so-called ‘Devil’s Pool’ that characteristically forms between September and December is one of the highlight for visitors. The seasonally lowered level of the Zambezi river, joint with a rock barrier, make it possible to swim in a moderately demure pool mere feet away from the edge of the falls. As several deaths have been reported in recent years, it is far from the safest option.

# Harbor of Rio de Janeiro

Located in Brazil, Harbor of Reo de Janeiro is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. It is also called the Guanabara Bay. It is a place of shocking natural beauty. Set in a balloon shaped bay, this natural harbor extends approximately 20 miles inland. It has a milieu of strangely shaped mountains and rainforests. It contains 130 islands and is home to some grand beaches.

In 1932, Charles Darwin visited the place. He wrote that it seemed almost unreal while describing the place. True to that description, depending on the place from where you look at it, the harbor looks very different. Earliest explorers first thought that it was the mouth of a large river. It looks like a lake from some angles, when in truth it is a huge bay. So there is no surprise in that it found a place on the list of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World.

Created by erosion from the Atlantic Ocean, the Harbor is surrounded by elegant granite monolith mountains that include the renowned Sugar Loaf Mountain at 1,296 feet (395 m), Corcovado Peak at 2,310 feet (704 m), and the hills of Tijuca at 3,350 feet (1021 m). Including Governor’s island, Snakes and Fundao Island, the visitors will also enjoy other numerous islands.

The bay boasted an effervescent and diverse ecosystem once. But recent decades have seen the perils of urbanization inflict disaster on this once-beautiful environment. Fortunately, legislation put in place ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio stipulates a prerequisite for the country’s government to revive attempts to return the bay to its previous glory. Even though there are uncertainties as to whether these plans will be executed as planned, locals and ecologists around the world remain hopeful that it’s not too late to save this particular wonder.

# Great Barrier Reef

Located off the coast of Queensland in northeastern Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest living thing on Earth and even visible from outer space. The 2,300km-long ecosystem comprises thousands of reefs and hundreds of islands made of over 600 types of hard and soft coral, which is a home to innumerable species of colorful fish, mollusks and starfish, in addition to turtles, dolphins and sharks.

One of the 7 natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is composed nearly 3,000 unique reefs and almost 1,000 islands over an extent of 1,400 miles. You need to see it to believe the sheer scale of the Great Barrier Reef. This wonder has been characterized as the largest structure that living creatures have ever built.

All of the reefs share a common origin. Over the course of millions of years, they have all been formed from the skeletal waste and skeletons of living marine organisms. From tiny creatures’ calcareous remains of tiny creatures, the framework of this wonder of the natural world is formed. They are known as hydro corals and coral polyps. It is hold together by Bryozoans and coralline algae. The Porolithon and Lithothamnion red algae forms most of the characteristic features of the Great Barrier Reef and nearly everywhere you can find the Halimeda green algae.

As one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, the reef is a globally recognized landmark of Australia. It is a point of pride for Australians around the globe. Every year, lots of work is done to guarantee the safety of delicate ecosystem of the reef for future generations. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is central to this effort. The park is a protective designation established in 1975 intended to protect the reef and the species within it.

# Mount Everest

The last, but certainly not least, one of the 7 natural wonders of the world is the highest point of the world. Mount Everest is known as Sagarmāthā in Nepal, which means the ‘Forehead (or Goddess) of the Sky’. It is known as Chomolungma in Tibet, which means the ‘Mother Goddess of the Universe’. Mount Everest is one of the most iconic natural features of the globe as well as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.

Mount Everest, which literally means “the top or the head of the sky,” is the earth’s tallest mountain. Mount Everest is a part of the Himalayan Range and touches the borders of Tibet and Nepal. The name of Mount Everest was Peak XV during 1856. But in honor of George Everest, the official name “Mount Everest” was given by the Geographical Society in 1865. The total height of this wonder of the natural world is 29,029 feet above sea level.

In the 1920s, the first recorded attempts to scale Everest were made by British mountaineers. After more than three decades, Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hilary managed to reach the summit in 1953.

Hikers and adventurers from all over the world come and attempt to climb this mountain despite the fact it is the highest peak in the world. Both amateur and novice climbers can get to the peak with the help of a whole team of professional climbers. It can be quite safe if one follows the standard route to climb. The problem however is that the Himalayas are faced with bad weather and fast wind, which leads to difficulty in breathing at the high altitude. So the climbers have to be in peak physical condition and take great risk in climbing the one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. Conquering the mountain remains one of the greatest feats of man, and is an immensely popular challenge for anyone really looking to test their nerve.

Top 10 Spectacular Wonders of the World

The Earth has been populated by humans for many centuries now and the succeeding generations can learn and remember the previous peoples only from the monuments they leave behind. Many rulers have built grand structures in an effort to immortalize themselves or their empires and some stand till today. Some of these structures are functional while some are ornamental or spiritual, but all of them are symbols of the history of the country and an article of pride for the people. Here is our list of the 10 wonders of the world.

Wonders of the World

1. Great Wall of China

This large wall built during the 7th century BC and later expanded by succeeding emperors to increase its length as well as height. The wall was built to protect the borders of the Chinese empire against attacks from nomadic tribes of the North and West. It is one of the largest structures built by humans and is also one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Also, one of the famous walls in the world.

One of the Seven Wonders of the world, the Great Wall of China is a long continuous wall made up of different sections. The different sections have been built by different dynasties over a long period of time with the help of stones and other material. The wall stretches over 6300 kilometres in length and if it is measured by the length of all different sections of wall, the total distance will be around 21,196 kilometres. It is the longest man made structure in the world with the widest section being is around 9 meters and the highest point of the wall is around 8 metes. One of the 7 wonders of the world is threatened with erosion and it is believed that the sections may disappear in the next 20 years.

2. Petra, Jordan

Petra is an ancient city located in the valleys of Jordan and was established in 312 BC. It is also known as the Rose City since most of the structures in this abandoned city have been carved out of pink stone. Petra is the most popular tourist destination in Jordan and is also one of the man made wonders in the world. This city is known for its beautiful rock-cut architecture and the ingenious ways used in to carry water. It is also one of the beautiful lost cities in the world.

The most popular attraction in Jordan is also popular as the world’s most famous historical archaeological sites. It is also known as ‘Rose city’ because of the red rose coloured sandstone hills. The beautiful architecture has been surrounded by red-tinged mountains that give them a reddish appearance. The structure has been discovered by a Swiss explorer, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. During ancient times, these walls provided Petra with a safe haven for its inhabitants because if these red-tinged mountains and a stream provided a source of water.

3. Christ the Redeemer, Brazil

This wonder of the world is one of the largest statues of Jesus Christ and is located on top of a hill in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It overlooks the beautiful seaside and took nine years to construct. It is the largest art deco statue in the world made out of soapstone and reinforced concrete. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Brazil and is located close to the Copacabana beach.

The Art Deco statue structure has been created by French sculptor Paul Landowski and it was built by the Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa with the help of the French engineer Albert Caquot. The structure is approximately 30.1 metres tall with 6 meters pedestal and 19 meters wide. An icon of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil took around 9 years to complete and construction began in 1922 and mostly made from concrete and soapstone. The stones used came from Sweden. The statue was completed in 1931 and officially opened on October 12, 1931.

4. Taj Mahal, India

Known as a symbol of love throughout the world, the Taj Mahal is located in the Indian city of Agra and is a tomb built by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz. This fascinating mausoleum in the world is intricately carved with Islamic emblems and passages and is a typical example of Mughal architecture in India. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens built in the Char Baug style and is visited by more than 3 million people each year. The main structure octagonal and is capped by a large dome and was a marvel of engineering of time. It is surrounded by four pillars that lean slightly inwards and was the tallest structure in Agra for a very long time. One of the best tourist places in India is located on the Banks of the river Yamuna.

5. Machu Pichu, Peru

Like Petra, Machu Pichu us an ancient city belonging to the Inca period and is located on top of the Urubamba hill in Peru. It has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and since then has gained popularity as a tourist destination. This city was built around the 1450s and was abandoned only 100 years later due to the Spanish invasion of South America. It is also known as the ‘Lost City of the Incas”. It is also one of the beautiful world heritage sites in the world.

The compound of Machu Picchu consists of more than 150 buildings that include baths, houses, sanctuaries and temples. Also, it contains 100 separate flights of stairs and most of them carved from one slab of stone. It is said that Machu Picchu was an astronomical observatory and its Intihuatana stone accurately indicates the two equinoxes.

6. Hagia Sofia, Turkey

This structure located in the Turkish city of Istanbul has a very vibrant history. It was constructed in the 6th century as a Christian basilica but under the Ottoman Empire, converted to a Mosque and was the major mosque in Istanbul until the construction of the nearby Blue Mosque. In 1935, it was taken over by the state and converted into a national museum. Currently, it is the second most visited museum in the country receiving more than 3.3 million visitors each year.

7. Chichen Itza, Mexico

This ceremonial pyramid built north of the Yucatan Peninsula belongs to the Mayan era. It has a history of over 1500 years and is dated back to 400 AD. Though the exact purpose of this structure is unknown, it is believed that it was governed by priests and was used to perform religious ceremonies and sacrifices including human sacrifice to please the gods. The name Chichen Itza means ‘At the mouth of the well of Itza”.

8. Colosseum, Rome

This famous monument in Rome dates back to the peak of the Roman Empire and has a rather bloody history. It was built as a stadium to stage show fights between animals and people as people watched and cheered for their favourite. More often than not, the fights ended with either one of the challenges dying in the arena. There were many mechanisms to make the fight attractive for the spectators including trap doors to release animals from as well as inlets to flood the arena and stage sea battles. It was known as the Flavian Amphitheatre at the time when it was built. Also, read about places to see cherry blossoms around the world.

9. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

This famous tower is known worldwide for its tilt and is one of the wonders of the world. The construction was not planned with the tilt in mind though the bell tower started tilting during the construction itself. This was because the ground on one side was too soft and the foundation was not laid deep enough. From 1990 to the early 2000s, there was extensive restoration work to stabilize the building and partially correct the tilt by reducing its angle. Today, the Tower of Pisa is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Italy.

10. Roman Baths, United Kingdom

The complex housing the Roman Baths is located in Somerset in Bath, UK and is one of the major public attractions in the country. The baths were constructed during the Roman Empire using limestone and the water percolated naturally to this complex from the nearby hills. These baths were destroyed in the 6th century and were reconstructed only in the 1800s. Today, the complex is open for visitors and a museum has also been built there but people are not allowed to enter the water.

From the thousands of grand structures in the world, these have been chosen for their architectural beauty, engineering skills employed, the scale of the structure and their state today. Most of these structures are very well preserved and have been turned into major tourist attractions by their respective governments. How many of these wonders of the world have you visited?

A Guide to the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World

ThoughtCo / Hilary Allison

The seven wonders of the ancient world have been celebrated by scholars, writers, and artists since at least 200 B.C. These marvels of architecture, like Egypt’s pyramids, were monuments of human achievement, built by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern empires of their day with little more than crude tools and manual labor. Today, all but one of these ancient wonders have vanished.

The Great Pyramid of Giza

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Nick Brundle Photography / Getty Images

Completed around 2560 B.C., Egypt’s Great Pyramid is also the only one of the seven ancient wonders that exist today. When it was finished, the pyramid had a smooth exterior and reached a height of 481 feet. Archaeologists say it took as long as 20 years to build the Great Pyramid, which is thought to have been built to honor the Pharoah Khufu.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria

Built around 280 B.C., the Lighthouse of Alexandria stood around 400 feet tall, guarding this ancient Egyptian port city. For centuries, it was considered the tallest building in the world. Time and numerous earthquakes took their toll on the structure, which gradually fell into ruin. In 1480, materials from the lighthouse were used to construct the Citadel of Qaitbay, a fortress that still stands on Pharos Island.

The Colossus of Rhodes

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Heritage Images / Getty Images

This bronze and iron statue of the sun god Helios was built in the Greek city of Rhodes in 280 B.C. as a war monument. Standing beside the city’s harbor, the statue was nearly 100 feet tall, about the same size as the Statue of Liberty. It was destroyed in an earthquake in 226 B.C.

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

Located in the present-day city of Bodrum in southwestern Turkey, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was built around 350 B.C. It was ​originally called the Tomb of Mausolus and was designed for a Persian ruler and his wife. The structure was destroyed by a series of earthquakes between the 12th and 15th centuries and was the last of the seven wonders of the ancient world to be destroyed.

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

The Temple of Artemis was located near present-day Selcuk in western Turkey in honor of the Greek goddess of hunting. Historians can’t pinpoint when the temple was first built on the site but they do know it was destroyed by flooding in the 7th century B.C. A second temple stood from about 550 B.C. to 356 B.C., when it was burned to the ground. Its replacement, built shortly thereafter, was destroyed by 268 A.D. by invading Goths.

The Statue of Zeus at Olympia

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Corbis / Getty Images

Built sometime around 435 B.C. by the sculptor Phidias, this statue of gold, ivory, and wood stood over 40 feet tall and depicted the Greek god Zeus seated on a cedar throne. The statue was lost or destroyed sometime in the 5th century, and very few historical images of it exist.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

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Corbis / Getty Images

Not much is known of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, said to have been located in present-day Iraq. They may have been built by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II around 600 B.C. or by the Assyrian King Sennacherib around 700 B.C. However, archaeologists have found no substantial evidence to confirm the gardens ever existed.

Wonders of the Modern World

Look online and you’ll find a seemingly endless list of contemporary wonders of the world. Some focus on natural wonders, others man-made structures. Perhaps the most noteworthy attempt was compiled in 1994 by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

What Are the Seven Wonders of the World?

We’ve all heard of the Seven Wonders of the World, but what are they exactly and where do they come from? To get to the origins of the original “must-see” list, we need to go back to Ancient Greece. Called themata—Greek for “things to see”—the list came about from guidebooks and sightseeing guides. It began during the country’s Hellenistic period and was finalized during the Italian Renaissance, becoming known as the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, also called the Seven Wonders.

Yes, that’s right, people were traveling in Ancient Greece. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, given the Greek Empire’s expansion into areas that allowed them to mingle with Egyptian, Persian, and Babylonian cultures. The list we now know as the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World didn’t come from just one writer, but is the compilation of several different lists over time.

For instance, in 225 BCE the mathematician Philo of Byzantium wrote a book titled The Seven Sights of the World. Prior to this, historian Diodorus Siculus also wrote his list of sites not to be missed, and along the way, many writers contributed their thoughts. The famed historian Herodotus wrote his themata as early as the 5th century BCE and, eventually, writers seemed to settle on a standard set of monuments.

The Seven Wonders includes the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Temple of Artemis, the Statue of Zeus, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Although only one of these monuments has survived to modern times, there are enough documents and illustrations from history to provide us with a vivid understanding of the others.

What are the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World? Discover the full list below.

Timeline and map of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (Photo: cmglee, Juandamec, Kirill Borisenko, Flappiefh, Nicolas M. Perrault CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.)

Great Pyramid of Giza (2584 – 2561 BCE to present day)

Photo: Veronika Kovalenko via Shutterstock

The only surviving ancient wonder, the Great Pyramid at Giza remains an incredible example of Egyptian architecture. A visual representation of the ancient Egyptians’ sophistication, it was the tallest man-made structure in the world for 3,800 years. The oldest of the seven wonders, Egyptologists believe it took just 10 to 20 years to build. Construction on the tomb ended around 2560 BCE with 2.3 million stone blocks used in its construction.

Made of limestone, mortar, and granite, the pyramid originally measured 481 feet tall. However, a substantial amount of the limestone casing has been lost or removed over time, so the structure now stands at about 454 feet tall.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon (c. 600 BCE to after 1st century CE)

Photo: garanga via Shutterstock

The existence of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon is still unclear to historians—as is their supposed location—but they nevertheless remain as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. According to descriptions, the site included an ascending series of tiered gardens that were overflowing with plant life.

These extravagant hanging gardens have inspired artists for centuries, each of whom can only imagine the plants and vines strewn across different tiers. Said to have been located in ancient Babylon—present-day Iraq—legend has it that the gardens were built by King Nebuchadnezzar II, who ruled between 605 BCE and 562 BCE. The gardens, which were spread over terraces up to 75 feet above ground level, were created for the king’s wife, Queen Amyitis, who missed the greenery of her home in the Median Empire (now Iran).

Statue of Zeus at Olympia (466 – 435 BCE to 5th – 6th centuries CE)

Olympian Zeus in the sculptured antique art of Quatremère de Quincy. 1815. (Photo: [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)

No copy was ever made in either marble or bronze and the sculpture was later dismantled in the 5th or 6th century CE when the pagan religion was banned by the Ancient Roman Empire. Some historians record that it was simply destroyed, while others write of it being carried to Constantinople and burned in a fire.

Temple of Artemis at Ephesus (c. 550 BCE to 356 BCE and 323 to 262 CE)

Reconstruction of the Temple of Artemis in Istanbul Turkey (Photo: Zee Prime at cs.wikipedia [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC BY-SA 2.5], from Wikimedia Commons)

The most ornate parts of the temple were constructed between 550 BCE and 350 BCE and were painted by the most famous artists of the time. In its final form, the temple was 450 feet long and contained over 125 columns. Almost completely destroyed in 262 CE by the Goths, it’s unclear if it was ever fully rebuilt. Today, all that remains are ruins that were excavated in the 19th century, which are now on display in the British Museum in London.

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (351 BCE to 12th – 15th centuries CE)

Photo: garanga via Shutterstock

Lasting longer than some other monuments on the list, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus endured until a series of earthquakes brought the building down at some point between the 12th and 15th centuries CE. Now, it lays in ruins in modern-day Bodrum, Turkey.

A large and stately tomb, it was built for the ruler of the Caria region of the Empire, Mausolus, and his sister-wife Artemisia II. Although Mausolus did not live to see the building’s completion, the monument became so famous for its opulent design that the ruler’s name became the eponym of elaborate tombs—mausoleum.

Records indicate that the inside of the mausoleum was as elaborate as its temple-like exterior. Statues of gods and goddesses, reliefs of mythological battles, and a plethora of marble are said to have decorated the interior. While it survived the conquest of Alexander the Great in 334 BCE and other invasions, it was eventually destroyed by natural disasters.

Ruins of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. (Photo: FollowingHadrian CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.)

Statues from the mausoleum were discovered by British archaeologists in the 19th century and transported to the British Museum where they still reside today.

Colossus of Rhodes (292 – 280 BCE to 226 CE)

In about 280 BCE, Greek sculptor Chares of Lindos completed his magnum opus and the sixth wonder of the world, the Colossus of Rhodes. It was made in celebration of the island’s successful defense against a year-long siege from the Macedonian king. According to records, Chares used a combination of iron beams and frames with large amounts of bronze and iron to create the statue. It was modeled after the Greek god of the sun, Helios, and it measured approximately 108 feet tall—which is about the same height as the Statue of Liberty.

Hand-colored engraving of the Colossus of Rhodes by Marten van Heemskerck, c. 1500s. (Photo: Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons.)

The position of the statue is still speculated among historians. While some texts describe the statue as standing on one platform overlooking the harbor, other historical illustrations depict the Colossus with one foot on either side of the harbor’s mouth.

After less than 6o years, the statue was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BCE and never rebuilt.

Lighthouse of Alexandria (c. 280 BCE to 1303 – 1480 CE)

The last of the seven wonders to be built was the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Made during the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, it was erected on the island of Pharos near the Nile Delta and across from the city of Alexandria. Archaeologists speculate the building was at least 330 feet tall, which would make it the tallest man-made structure for several centuries after its construction. Eventually, between 1303 and 1480 CE, the lighthouse was destroyed by earthquakes and never rebuilt.

A central figure in guiding ships in and out of the busy harbor, the monument can even be seen on ancient coins. Remains of the submerged building were discovered in the old port of Alexandria by marine archaeologists in 1968 and again in 1994.

Seven Wonders of the Natural World

In 1997, CNN and Seven Natural Wonders created the Seven Wonders of the Natural World to celebrate the beauty of Mother Nature. Spanning all seven continents, the list gathers both well-known attractions as well as hidden jewels of the natural world.

Mount Everest

Photo: Petr Kopka via Shutterstock

The world’s highest mountain above sea level, Mount Everest soars up 29,029 feet. Located in the Himalayas, the iconic peak is a thrill seeker’s dream. Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary were the first to make the ascent in 1953, after three decades of failed attempts by others. Interestingly, the summit point of Mount Everest is also the international border between Tibet and Nepal.

Great Barrier Reef

Photo: Cezary Wojtkowski via Shutterstock

Victoria Falls

Also known as “The Smoke that Thunders,” Victoria Falls is located at the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe along the Zambezi River. It was named by Scottish explorer David Livingstone during his African voyage in 1855 after Queen Victoria of England. Its indigenous name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, also continues to be used and while the falls aren’t the world’s highest or widest, they are considered the largest. With a width of 5,604 feet and a height of 354 feet, Victoria Falls is the world’s largest sheet of falling water.

Grand Canyon

Photo: ruslan p via Shutterstock

North America is represented on the list by Arizona’s Grand Canyon, a 277-mile-long canyon carved out by the Colorado River. A true depiction of how powerful nature is, the canyon is up to 18 miles wide at its largest. While it’s not the deepest canyon in the world, the 17 million-year-old wonder is known for its sheer size and dazzling colors.

Northern Lights

Photo: Erkki Makkonen via Shutterstock

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, is a dazzling natural light show that has been attracting travelers, photographers, and nature lovers to polar regions for centuries. A favorite of nature and landscape photographers, it’s no wonder we often feature beautiful photographs of the Northern Lights in Iceland, Norway, and other areas of the globe.

Parícutin

Photo: Alejandro Roa via Shutterstock

Parícutin may not be a name as familiar as some of the other wonders on the list, but it’s no less deserving. This cinder cone volcano is located 200 miles west of Mexico City, in the Mexican state of Michoacán. What makes Parícutin especially notable is that scientists were able to observe its entire lifecycle—a first. Over the course of the 1940s, a fissure grew in a cornfield, with the volcano growing in height to 1,391 feet and then erupting over the course of 19 years.

Guanabara Bay

Photo: Rodrigo S Coelho via Shutterstock

Rio de Janeiro’s breathtaking harbor stretches 19 miles just east of the city. Guanabara Bay was discovered by Portuguese explorers on January 1, 1502. Some historians report that the city of Rio de Janeiro took its name from the harbor, which was originally called Ria de Janeiro (January Sound). Over 100 islands are scattered around the bay, but its diverse ecosystem has been damaged due to deforestation, pollution, and urbanization. Marine life includes a population of Botos, a rare dolphin considered a primitive dolphin.

What are the New 7 Wonders of the World?

In 2000, a campaign was started to seek out the New 7 Wonders of the World. A Swiss organization called the New7Wonders Foundation led the charge, asking the public to vote for their favorite sites. With the Great Pyramid being voted in as an honorary wonder, seven new sites were revealed in 2007. Tens of millions of people voted for a range of sites that touch all corners of the globe.

70 Weird, Wild & Woolly Wonders of the Natural World

Article by Urbanist, filed under Vintage & Retro in the Technology category

These epic wonders show off the phenomenal beauty of the natural world, awesome abilities of animals, dangerous capacities of the planet and even the amazing environmental designs of our ancient ancestors. Forget your standard sets of wonders: with hundreds of images and links and pages of information, this cunning WebEcoist collection may be the sensational, educational and inspirational eco-series you have ever read. Divided into 10 parts, each featuring 7 themed subjects, here are 70 incredible wonders of the natural world.

7 Phenomenal Wonders of the Natural World

Vast canyons, giant mountains – those are old natural wonders. Many of the most fantastic natural phenomena are far more impressive but correspondingly difficult to capture. Some are incredibly rare while others are located in hard-to-reach parts of the planet. From moving rocks to mammatus clouds and red tides to fire rainbows, here are seven of the most spectacular phenomenal wonders of the natural world. Click Here to Continue.

7 (More!) Phenomenal Wonders of the Natural World

Sailing stones, fire rainbows, red tides and blue holes … were just the beginning.Imagine sidestepping a house-sized hole in the ground as it forms around you in seconds, walking through a field of razor-sharp ice spikes taller than yourself or fleeing from a deadly vortex of smoke and flame far more dangerous than the raging fire that spawned it. From light pillars and sun dogs to firewhirls and sinkholes, here are seven more beautiful, terrifying and awe-inspiring natural wonders of the world. Click Here to Continue.

7 Phenomenal Wonders of the Animal World

Fantastic phenomena are, however, far from all mother nature has to offer – some of her most impressive creations reside in the animal kingdom. Though they may seem too strange to be real, all but a few of these have been extensively documented in photos and videos – and those that haven’t are supported by dazzling eyewitness accounts from around the globe. From raining and exploding animals to amazing animal architects, here are seven sensational wonders of the animal world. Click Here to Continue.

7 Symbiotic Wonders of the World’s Seven Seas

Evolution alone is an amazing thing – but species that evolve together can be all the more spectacular, protecting, feeding and cleaning one another in incredible ways. Sharks pair with fish, fish with shrimp and shrimp with sea cucumbers and much much more. From boxing crabs that wield poisonous anemones as weapons to shrimp that scour the mouths of electric eels, here are seven of the most radical symbiotic relationships from the shallowest to the deepest waters of our world. Click Here to Continue.

7 Soaring Symbiotic Wonders of the World’s Skies

There are many unlikely animal pairings in the world, but some of the most uncanny ones involve birds. Wait, what? Those flighty animals the flit about and flee at the slightest sign of trouble? Precisely those. They have been known to climb in and clean the teeth of a crocodile, lounge on the backs of buffalo, moose, hippos, elephants and zebras and even to share a residence with ants – their natural prey. The first set of symbiotic wonders focused mainly on underwater matches – this set focuses on fliers of the friendly skies. Click Here to Continue.

7 Color-Changing Wonders of the Animal World

Can you spot the creatures the images above? The lizard blends so perfectly it is hard to see even when pointed out. The ability to change color seems like a superpower at times – some amazing animals can alter their appearance to blend with the colors, materials and textures of virtually any surroundings. For some this ‘costume change’ happens quickly, for others it is seasonal – for many it helps them avoid predators, for a few it enables them to sneak up on prey. Culled from around the animal kingdom, here are seven of most impressive color-changing species in the world. Click Here to Continue.

7 Deep-Sea Wonders of the Animal World

Earth’s ocean depths often referred to as the planet’s last great unexplored frontier. Blacker than the darkest night, crushed by unimaginable pressure and for the most part untouched by the hand of man, the world below the water’s surface is bursting with life – though in many cases not life as we know it. Here are seven exceptional examples of weird wonders lurking beneath the waves. Click Here to Continue.

7 Geological Wonders of the World’s 7 Continents

Will wonders never cease? Probably not, Mother Earth has had 5 billion years to sculpt herself into spectacular splendor and it’s certain she’s not done yet. For now though, let’s take a little trip across the seven continents to find our planet’s coolest natural wonders you have likely never seen. Click Here to Continue.

7 Architectural Wonders of the Animal Kingdom

So you thought the ancient and modern wonders created by mankind and creative contemporary architecture were something? From underground ant colonies that extend farther than the Great Wall of China to termite mounds that tower at nearly twice the relative height of the Burj Dubai (tallest skyscraper in the world), and from the largest multi-species spider web ever discovered to the longest beaver dam on the planet, here are seven of the most awe-inspiring animal architects and architectonic structures of the animal kingdom. Click Here to Continue.

7 Green Wonders of the Ancient World

While mother nature herself has much to offer and going green is the latest trend, there have been amazing sustainable designs since the dawn of written history and beyond. We have come a long way since humans first used biomass fuels for their fires over 800,000 years ago. Green design, sustainable innovation, alternative energy – these are all recently-coined buzz-phrases for concepts that in some cases date back tens of thousands of years. The ancient Chinese used concentrated solar power for heat energy and fire, Native Americans used hot springs as renewable geothermal sources for cooking and healing, and some speculate the Egyptians used wind power to help build their pyramids. From Greece and Rome to Persia and North America, here are seven incredibly innovative uses of geothermal, water, wind and solar power from around the ancient world. Click Here to Continue.

Bonus: 82 Epic Elemental Phenomena & Natural Disasters

So you thought this last piece would be a final set of seven to round off the list to 77? As a small surprise, here is an entire additional set that shows the eccentricities and capacities of our planet – also courtesy of WebEcoist, the great green sister site to WebUrbanist (subscribe now!). These amazing natural wonders and epic elemental disasters of the world showcase both the most beautiful and most terrifying sides of Mother Nature. With hundreds of images and over one hundred paragraphs of link-packed information you will not find a more definitive collection anywhere online. Sectioned according to the four classic elements of earth, water, fire and air, here are 52 elemental phenomena and formations and 30 environmental disasters – and to round it off: 100 beautiful HDR photographs of the natural world. Click Here to Continue.

Seven Wonders of the World

The Seven Wonders of the World (or the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) is a widely known list of seven remarkable constructions of antiquity. It was based on guide-books popular among Hellenic sightseers and includes only works located around the Mediterranean rim. Later lists include those for the medieval world and the modern world.

The original Seven Wonders of the World consists of: The Great Pyramid of Giza (the most ancient as well as the only surviving structure), the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria.

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The notion of «Seven Wonders» can be traced to a Hellenistic recognition of trans-cultural human achievement that found expression throughout the Hellenistic world. For thousands of years, the Seven Wonders of the World have inspired humankind as representative works symbolic of the great civilizations of antiquity. In terms of innovative design, elaborate construction, technological mastery, and symbolic meaning, the Seven Wonders have not only showcased the high points of diverse civilizations, but tied humankind together in the common pursuit of intellectual excellence and self-expression.

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

The historian Herodotus and the scholar Callimachus of Cyrene (c. 305 – 240 B.C.E.) made early lists of «seven wonders,» but these writings have not survived, except as references. The earliest extant version of a list of seven wonders was compiled by Antipater of Sidon, who described the structures in a poem around 140 B.C.E.:

I have set eyes on the wall of lofty Babylon on which is a road for chariots, and the statue of Zeus by the Alpheus, and the hanging gardens, and the Colossus of the Sun, and the huge labor of the high pyramids, and the vast tomb of Mausolus; but when I saw the house of Artemis that mounted to the clouds, those other marvels lost their brilliancy, and I said, «Lo, apart from Olympus, the Sun never looked on aught so grand» [1]

A later list, under various titles such as De septem orbis spactaculis and traditionally, though incorrectly, attributed to the engineer Philo of Byzantium, may date as late as the fifth century C.E., although the author writes as if the Colossus of Rhodes, destroyed by an earthquake in 224 B.C.E., were still standing.

The basic characteristics of each of the Seven Wonders are given in the table below:

The Greek category to describe what people call «wonders» today was «theamata,» which translates as «something worth seeing» or «must-sees.» Since the list came mostly from ancient Greek writings, only sites that would have been known and visited by the ancient Greeks were included. Sites from eastern Asia, the Americas, Africa, and northern Europe were thus omitted. Five of the seven entries are a celebration of Greek accomplishments in the arts and architecture (the exceptions being the Pyramids of Giza and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon). Antipater’s earlier list replaced the Lighthouse of Alexandria with the Babylon’s famous Ishtar Gate.

Top 10 Wonders of The World

Top 10 wonders of the world, the masterpiece of the skill and handwork of the people of that era. Today we become astonished to see these wonders, that in so remote ages without any modern technology and machine, how so great construction were made.

Who decides the 7 wonders of the world? Why are they called the 7 wonders of the world? In 2000, a Swiss company, the New 7 Wonders Foundation launched a campaign to determine the New Seven Wonders of the World. In which more than tens of millions of people voted online. The final results announced in 2007 and the new seven wonders chosen.

What is the official 7 wonders of the world? Following is the list of top 10 wonders of the world are:

List of Official Top 10 Wonders of The World:

10. Roman Baths

The famous Roman Baths complex is a site of historical interest in Somerset. The house is a well-preserved Roman site for public bathing. It’s a reconstruction of the previously destroyed baths. It was destroyed in the 6th century, reconstruction of the baths occurred over time with the last additions being done in the late 1800s.

The Baths are a major tourist attraction of modern world. They receive more than one million visitors a year. It was featured on the 2005 TV program Seven Natural Wonders as one of the wonders of the West Country. Visitors can see the Baths and Museum but cannot enter the water.

You can also visit the list of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

9. Leaning Tower of Pisa

This tower was build first in Pisa, a city of Italy in August 14, 1173. It is known due to its inclinations towards right side. Till now it is stable and nothing happened to it instead of its tilt.

8. Colosseum

The Colosseum, or the Coliseum, originally the Flavian Amphitheatre is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy. This is one of the greatest architecture ever built in the history of Rome.

The Colosseum was originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre and is the largest amphitheater to have ever been built in the Roman Empire. It is a circular structure that occupies a site east of the Roman Forum. This Amphitheater was built to organize gladiator contests, dramas and games like hunting animals, constructing mock sea battle and the public could also view it in the open, and cheer their favorites. See also; 10 Eye-Popping Gorgeous Roman Theatres.

7. Chichen Itza

It was founded by the Maya civilization in 400 AD and it is located in the north central, north of Yucatan Peninsula now called Mexico. Chichen has a history that is 1500 years old and is located 75 miles from Merida. It is said to have been the main regional point for different ceremonies. During the earlier days & time, it was governed by priests.

Chichen means “At the mouth of the well of Itza”. The word Chi stands for ‘mouth’, Chen for ‘well’ and Itza for ‘the Itza tribe’. The main belief is that people were thrown from the top as a sacrifice to make their god happy and the ones who could survive were the ones who were believed to be seers.

6. Hagia Sophia

The masterpiece of construction, Hagia Sophia is a former Christian patriarchal basilica (church), later an imperial mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. Hagia Sophia is currently the second-most visited museum in Turkey, attracting almost 3.3 million visitors annually.

From its initial conversion until the construction of the nearby Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque of Istanbul) in 1616, it was the principal mosque of Istanbul. The Hagia Sophia served as inspiration for many other Ottoman mosques, such as the Blue Mosque, the Şehzade Mosque, the Süleymaniye Mosque, the Rüstem Pasha Mosque and the Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque

5. Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is the pre Columbian, Inca empire site that is located almost 8,000 feet above the sea level. The site is located on a mountain ridge above the valley of Urubamba in Peru. The city is also called the “lost city of Incas”. Machu Picchu was built around 1450, at the height of the Inca Empire. It was abandoned just over 100 years later, in 1572, as a belated result of the Spanish Conquest.

Machu Picchu was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. In 2007, it was voted one of the New Seven Wonders in a worldwide Internet poll. See also; 10 Most Iconic Places to Photograph in the World.

4. Taj Mahal of Agra

It was constructed by famous Mughal ruler Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is regarded as the best example of Mughal architecture and is widely recognized as “the jewel of Muslim art in India”. It is one of the world’s most celebrated structures and a symbol of India’s rich history. The Taj Mahal attracts more than 3 million visitors a year. In 2007 it was declared one of the top 10 Wonders of the World. See also; 10 Interesting Facts About Taj Mahal.

3. Cristo Redentor Statue

It is largest Art Deco statue in the world and the 5th largest statue of Jesus in the world. A symbol of Christianity across the world, the statue has also become a cultural icon of both Rio de Janeiro and Brazil, and is listed as one of the New 7 Wonders. The statue is 30 metres (98 ft) tall, excluding its 8-meter (26 ft) pedestal. The arms stretch 28 meters (92 ft) wide. It is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone, and was constructed between 1922 and 1931.

2. Petra

It is an archeological city of Jorden that 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. Established during 312 BCE as the capital city of the Arab Nabataeans, it is a symbol of Jordan. It lies on the slope of Jebel al-Madhbah in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah (Wadi Araba), the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba.

Petra was named amongst the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007. It is Jordan’s most-visited tourist attraction and one of the “Top 10 Places to See Before You Die”.

1. The Great Wall of China

Considered one of the new 10 wonders of the world, the Great Wall of China was constructed 7th century BC. It is a series of fortification built to protect the Chinese states and empires against the raids and invasions of the various nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe. It is globally recognized as one of the most impressive architectural feats in history. According to an archaeological survey, the entire wall with all of its branches measures out to be 21,196 km.

In addition, the Great Wall of China can also be seen from the moon. The earliest known reference to this myth appear in a letter by the English antiquary William Stukeley, written in 1754. Stukeley wrote that;

This mighty wall of four score miles [130 km] in length is only exceeded by the Chinese Wall, which makes a considerable figure upon the terrestrial globe, and may be discerned at the Moon.

Source: The Family Memoirs of the Rev. William Stukeley (1887) Vol. 3, p. 142. (1754).

In 1895, an English journalist Henry Norman also mentioned this claim. He states;

besides its age it enjoys the reputation of being the only work of human hands on the globe visible from the Moon.

Source: Norman, Henry, The Peoples and Politics of the Far East, p. 215. (1895).

What are the original Seven Wonders of the World?

The old 7 wonders of the world or ancient seven wonders of the world are:

Pyramids of Giza, the oldest of the seven wonders of the world and the only one of them substantially in existence today. It was the tallest man-made structure in the world for almost 4,000 years.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon, thought to be an ascending series of tiered gardens containing all manner of trees, shrubs, and vines. Exact location unknown, generally belonging to Queen Sammu-ramat, King Nebuchadrezzar II, or the Assyrian king Sennacherib.

Statue of Zeus at Olympia, a large sculpture of the Greek god on his throne, made about 435 BCE by Phidias of Athens.

Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, also known as the Temple of Diana. A structure famous for its imposing size was built in 550 BCE to honor Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt.

Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, monumental tomb built in 4th century BCE for the King Mausolus, and his sister-wife Artemisia II of Caria.

Colossus of Rhodes, 110 feet tall statue erected in the city of Rhodes, by Chares of Lindos in 280 BCE to honored the Greek sun god Helios.

Pharos of Alexandria, the most famous lighthouse of the ancient world, It was world’s first lighthouse used mirrors to reflect sunlight for miles out to sea. Built for Ptolemy II of Egypt about 280 BCE on the island of Pharos off Alexandria. (source).

What are the seven new wonders of the world?

The official list of 7 wonders of the world: Great Wall of China, Chichén Itzá, Petra, Machu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer, Colosseum and Taj Mahal.

“Valley of Love” – The Lost Wonder of the World.

Lost Wonders of the World, The “Valley of Love” was built by a mystery race that inhabited what is now a remote part of Ireland.

This ancient valley is one of the lost wonders of the earth. Valley of love is a mile wide and high. Many controversies revolves around it. It is believed that the valley remained hidden from the eyes of world for many centuries and was built by a mysterious race that now lives in a remote area of Ireland. This valley is more than 3000 years older than the pyramids of Egypt. The only intact structure in this valley referred as ‘Memorial of joy’ is awe-inspiring. This fantastic stone structure has an equally flabbergasted interior which is fully functional to this day.

What are the seven wonders of the world today?

The seven wonders of the world today are: Great Wall of China, Chichén Itzá, Petra, Machu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer, Colosseum and Taj Mahal

Did the seven wonders of the world actually exist? The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only ancient world wonder that still exists in today modern world.