The term wonders of the world was popularized by Philo, an engineer from Byzantium, in 225 BC in his work entitled On The Seven Wonders. Philo calls it ‘themata’ or means something worth seeing.
The following list is the New 7 Wonders of the World according to the New Open World Corporation (NOWC), a Swiss foundation:
- Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China was built in the 7th century BC. The Great Wall of China is the longest wall in China. This building is a collection of short walls that follow the shape of the mountains in northern China. The construction of the Great Wall of China continued for two millennia from the 7th century BC. The Great Wall of China was built with the original purpose of protecting the country from any attack. The length of the Great Wall of China is estimated at 20,000 km.
- Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal is a monument located in Agra, India. It was built in 1632 AD by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, who ruled from 1628-1658. This place is the tomb of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal with a complex area of 42 hectares. This building reflects an architectural style that emphasizes symmetry and balance.
- Petra, Jordan
Petra is an archaeological site located in Jordan. The site is thought to have existed as early as 312 BC as the enormous capital of the Nabateans, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.
- Colosseum, Italy
The Colosseum is a historic relic in the form of a gladiator arena that stood in Rome, Italy. The building was built around AD 72-80 by the Flavians during the first century of the Roman Empire. This building has an oval shape made of concrete and sand.
- Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is a wonder of the world in the form of the location of the ruins from the pre-Columbian Inca City located in Cusco, Peru. This site is located in the Andes Mountains region. Machu Picchu was built in the mid-15th century AD by the Incas and was used until the mid-16th century AD. However, this place was abandoned for reasons that are still unclear.
- Chichen Itza, Mexico
Chichen Itza is a Mayan archaeological site located in Mexico. The site was built in the 800 BC century during the Terminal Classic period by the Mayans. This place serves as a shrine to Lord Kukulkan, the Mayan serpent god. This site consists of a vast temple complex and each temple is separate from the others. The structure is 79 feet or 24 meters high, with an additional 20 feet or 6 meters for the temple.
- Statue of Christ The Redeemer, Brazil
This Christ the Redeemer statue is one of Brazil’s iconic symbols, in the form of an Art Deco-style statue of Jesus Christ located in Rio de Janeiro. This statue is made of reinforced concrete which weighs 1,145 tons. This statue also has a height of 125 feet or about 38 meters and stands on the peak of Mount Corcovado.