The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid and the tomb of Fourth Dynasty pharaoh
Khufu. Built in the 26th century BC during a period of around 27 years, it is the oldest of
both The New and Ancient Seven Wonders, and the only one to remain largely
intact. The Great Sphinx of Giza is a limestone statue of a reclining mythical creature with the
head of a human and the body of a lion. Facing directly from west to east, it stands on the
Giza Plateau on the west bank of the Nile. The face of The Sphinx appears to represent the
pharaoh Khafre.
Chichén Itzá
Chichén Itzá, a Mayan city on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, thrived between 300 and 900
AD under the Mayan tribe Itza. Among the most notable monuments is the stepped pyramid El Castillo
“The Castle”, which rises 79 feet above the Main Plaza. A testament to the Mayans' astronomical
abilities, the structure features a total of 365 steps, the number of days in the solar year. During
the spring and autumnal equinoxes, the setting sun casts shadows on the pyramid that give the
appearance of a serpent slithering down the north stairway to the stone snake head at the base.
Chichén Itzá is also the home to the largest tlachtli (a type of sporting field) in
the Americas.
The Great Wall of China
Great might be an understatement. One of the world's largest building-construction projects, the
Great Wall of China is widely thought to be about 5,500 miles long; a disputed Chinese
study, however, claims the length is 13,170 miles. Work began in the 7th century BCE and continued
for two millennia. Although called a “wall”, the structure actually features two parallel walls for
lengthy stretches. In addition, watchtowers and barracks dot the bulwark. One not-so-great thing
about The Wall, however, was its effectiveness. Although it was built to prevent invasions
and raids, it failed to provide any actual security. Instead, scholars have noted that it served
more as “political propaganda.”
Roman Colosseum
The Colosseum was built in the first century by order of the Emperor Vespasian
around 70AD. A feat of engineering, the amphitheater measures 620 by 513 feet and features a complex
system of vaults. It was capable of holding 50,000 spectators, who watched a variety of events.
Perhaps most notable were gladiator fights, though men battling animals was also common. In
addition, water was sometimes pumped into The Colosseum for mock naval engagements.
Mother Nature created her own wonders to enchant and put humans in awe at first sight. 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. Find out more about the Northern Lights, the Grand Canyon, and more!
This mausoleum complex in Agra, India is regarded as one of the world's most iconic monuments
and a masterpiece of Muslim architecture. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahān in 1648 to honor his
late wife. It took about 22 years and 20,000 workers to construct the complex, which includes an
immense garden with a reflecting pool. The mausoleum is made of white marble that features
semiprecious stones in geometric and floral patterns. Its majestic central dome is surrounded by
four smaller domes and Shah Jahān unsuccessfully planned to have his own mausoleum made out of black
marble. The Taj Mahal is one of many famous structures on the World Monuments Fund Watch List, which documents endangered landmarks. Pollution and environmental changes have jeopardized the wooden foundation and it has been claimed that unless the foundation is repaired, the Taj Mahal will collapse.
Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer, a colossal statue of Jesus, stands atop Mount Corcovado in Rio de
Janeiro. Its origins date to just after WWI, when some Brazilians feared a “tide of godlessness.”
They proposed a statue, which was ultimately designed by Heitor da Silva Costa, Carlos Oswald, and
Paul Landowski. Construction began in 1926 and was completed five years later. The resulting
monument stands 98 feet tall—not including its base, which is and additional 26 feet and its
outstretched arm span of 92 feet. The largest Art Deco sculpture in the world, Christ the
Redeemer is made of reinforced concrete and is covered in approximately six million tiles.
The statue has often been struck by lightning, and in 2014 the tip of Jesus' right thumb was damaged
during a storm.
Petra
The ancient city of Petra is located in a remote valley in Jordan, nestled among sandstone
mountains and cliffs. It is believed to be one of the places where Moses struck a rock and water
gushed forth. Later the Nabataeans, an Arab tribe, made it their capital and it became an important
trade center, especially for spices. Noted carvers, the Nabataeans chiseled dwellings, temples, and
tombs into the sandstone, which changed color with the shifting sun. In addition, they constructed a
water system that allowed for lush gardens and farming. At its height, Petra reportedly had
a population of 30,000. The city began to decline, however, as trade routes shifted. A major
earthquake in 363 caused more difficulty, and after another tremor hit in 551, Petra was
gradually abandoned. Although rediscovered in 1912, it was largely ignored by archaeologists until
the late 20th century, and many questions remain about the city.
Machu Picchu
In 1911, the American explorer Hiram Bingham was led by natives to the nearly inaccessible deserted
Incan city on a Peruvian mountaintop. Since Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas,
became known to the Western world, its purpose has confounded scholars. What is known is that
Machu Picchu is one of the few major pre-Columbian ruins found nearly intact. The buildings
were constructed of finely cut white granite blocks and no mortar was used. Despite its relative
isolation high in the Andes Mountains, it features agricultural terraces, plazas, residential areas,
and temples.
