You may know about the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Only one - the Great Pyramid of Giza - still stands. So, Swiss film producer and aviator Bernard Weber launched a global voting campaign to let you, and millions of other people, create a new list. Unlike the list of Ancient Wonders, the New Wonders list includes both ancient and modern structures from every part of the world that can still be visited to this day. However, there are a number of prominent contenders that failed to make the cut. A few are listed below on our Honorable Mentions list.
GRAND CANYON
The Grand Canyon, located in Arizona, United States, is a geological formation with extensive and detailed rock layers, revealing 1.2 billion years of Earth's history, including marine, nearshore, and desert environments. Formed over billions of years by the erosion of the Colorado River, the canyon spans 277 miles in length, reaches widths of up to 18 miles, and depths exceeding 18 miles. Its sheer size and depth are not only awe-inspiring but also of significant scientific interest. The canyon's deep rust-red colors and sediment layers are visible across its cliff walls, which from the perspective of visitors, travel endlessly into the horizon. For those that have visited the Grand Canyon, it is clear why any road trip across the United States must include a stop by this natural marvel.
GREAT BARRIER REEF
The Great Barrier Reef, located off Queensland, Australia in the Coral Sea, is the world's largest coral reef system, extending over 2,300 kilometers with 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands across 344,400 square kilometers of ocean. Renowned for its biological diversity, the reef is home to more than 1,500 fish species, 411 types of hard coral, and a third of the world's soft corals. Additionally, it supports 134 shark and ray species, six of the seven threatened marine turtle species, over 30 marine mammal species, and serves as a critical breeding ground for humpback whales and a sanctuary for endangered species. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this delicate habitat and preserve its remarkable array of life and colors.
GREAT BLUE HOLE
The Great Blue Hole is a large underwater sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 62 miles from the mainland of Belize City. The Great Blue Hole is a vast expanse of interconnected underwater caverns adorned with remarkable formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, dripstone sheets, and columns. Scientists speculate that these awe-inspiring structures originated within the caverns long before the area became submerged. he hole is circular in shape, over 984 ft. across and 410 ft. deep. The world’s largest natural formation of its kind, the Great Blue Hole is part of the larger Barrier Reef Reserve System, It is precisely these breathtaking features that continue to captivate scuba divers and nature enthusiasts alike, drawing them from all corners of the globe to experience the wonder of the Great Blue Hole.
PARÍCUTIN VOLCANO
The Parícutin Volcano in Michoacán, Mexico, a cinder cone volcano, emerged in 1943 in a farmer's field, marking a remarkable event in geological history. This volcano, which is the youngest in the Northern Hemisphere, grew rapidly to a height of 1,391 feet over a period of nine years. During its active phase, Parícutin released extensive lava flows and ash, covering approximately 10 square miles and necessitating the evacuation of neighboring villages. In its current dormant state, Parícutin presents a fascinating landscape of hardened lava and ash, drawing both tourists and geologists. Visitors have the opportunity to climb the volcanic peak and explore the area, which includes the striking sight of the encased ruins of the San Juan Parangaricutiro Church.
NORTHERN LIGHTS
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, represent an extraordinary natural phenomenon, predominantly visible in polar regions, including the Arctic Circle. These lights manifest as a dynamic display of colors, primarily greens, blues, and purples, produced by the interaction of solar wind particles and atmospheric gases. The spectacle varies in intensity and form, influenced by solar activity and Earth's magnetic field, often appearing most vivid during dark winter nights and near equinoxes. Renowned for their breathtaking display of moving colors, these lights are the result of electrically charged particles from solar flares interacting with Earth's gaseous atmosphere, creating a dynamic, awe-inspiring visual effect. The phenomenon is a remarkable example of natural events like sun flares transforming into a mesmerizing earthly spectacle.
GUANABARA BAY
The Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, also known as Guanabara Bay, located in the southeast of Brazil, is renowned as the world's largest natural bay by volume— this distinction contributes to its status as one of the seven Natural Wonders of the world. The bay, covering 159 square miles with depths of up to 56 feet, is flanked by notable landmarks such as Sugarloaf Mountain and Morro Cara de Cão. Its entrance, framed by granite rock formations and monoliths, creates an impressive visual landscape. Despite the harbor's evolution into a major economic and human activity hub, with elements like the city of Rio and popular beaches such as Copacabana, the natural beauty of the bay endures.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to Mauna Loa, traditionally considered the world’s largest volcano. One of five volcanoes located on Hawaii’s Big Island, this imposing conical structure stands more than 13,000 feet above sea level.
The focal point of iconic Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful Geyser attracts crowds from all over the globe. A cone geyser, which was named in 1870, this famous geothermal wonder erupts every 35-120 minutes, shooting vapour up to 180-feet in the air. Each eruption lasts for 2-5 minutes. Old Faithful Geyser is by no means the only geyser in Yellowstone but it attracts attention due to its predictability and size.
On the border between the US and Canada, Niagara Falls is a bona fide natural marvel. Made of three waterfalls, which come together to catapult raging torrents over the rocky precipice, the falls process a volume of 150,000 gallons of water per second. Standing over 575 ft tall, this natural wonder was carved by the movement of ice during the Ice Age and is as stunning as it sounds.
NATURAL WONDERS OF AMERICA
Besides the Grand Canyon, North America is truly blessed when it comes to natural wonders and geographical marvels. A trip across this mammoth, diverse and beautiful country offers magnificent opportunities to explore rivers, lakes, mountain ranges, canyons, valleys and volcanoes. Here's just a few:
Nestled in the glistening golden sands of the desert that blankets the Arizona-Nevada border, Death Valley is one of the most extreme but beautiful places in the whole of the US. Comprising 1.3 million hectares of dusty landscapes that are speared by yucca plants and craggy, rocky outcrops, this wild gem offers a very different take on the traditional perception of America’s national parks.
A watery wilderness that covers thousands of square kilometres, the Florida Everglades are a breathtaking beauty spot, offering an array of activities. A fascinating network of wetlands, waterways and subtropical forests, this is a unique wonder that offers all kinds of action-packed adventures and wildlife spotting opportunities.
Don't forget the National Parks! The National Park System encompasses 429 national park sites in the United States. They span across more than 84 million acres, with parks in each state and extending into the territories, including parks in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
