7 Wonders

Here follows the list of Seven Wonders of the World in all their pictorial glory.

Angkor, Cambodia

Chichen Itza, Mexico

Giza Pyramids, Egypt

Great Wall, China

Hagia Sophia, Turkey

Petra, Jordan

Statue of LIberty, USA

Afterword

The well-intentioned but fumbling New 7 Wonders campaign, that culminated in the stadium-based entertainment and ceremonial event announcement on 7/7/07 of the international phone and internet voting results as a “legitimate” declaration of what should be considered the globally-accepted new Seven Wonders of the World, in recognition that all but one of the acknowledged “Ancient Wonders” have fallen to ruins and dust, seemed not only unsatisfying in its presumptions and outcome but underscored the distinct errors in applying the politically-favorable democratic voting process into other aspects of our society and lives.  Some did declare, throughout and after the mission was undertaken, that the voting process was unscientific, themselves accepting another widespread error of a different sort, that scientifically determined results lend legitimacy to entirely subjective appraisals.  Not to mention the favoritisms of the voters, towards icons of religion or national significance, sometimes towards seeking what might be gained from increased attention and the tourism monies they would bring.  In addition to political pressure from the Egyptians who wanted to keep the status of the Pyramids as the only remaining of the “original” 7 Wonders, so as not to confuse visitors, to have it removed from the new lineup after much voting had already taken place.  As such it illustrated culminating errors in the thinking of the modern world, rather than an event that made the grand and irreplaceable accomplishments of mankind inspire us to awe and wonder.     Given that the interest in and keeping tabs on the entire process had the magnitude to turn one away from these issues for the moment, there was little magic in the event despite the positive aspect of the global enterprise.  It could inspire the recognition of a need for the sense of global heritage; if not merely provide an aggravated list of sites that inspire wonder at the stupendous accomplishments of humankind.  So here recorded is a list of 7 Wonders based upon a careful and dutiful regard for the aspect of each site and its relevance as a monument to achievement that still exist today and exist are a structure in themselves.  For the New 7 Wonders there were originally 21 candidates from which people voted for the top 7.  Those listed above are 7 wonders from among these 21 candidates, but there were certain restrictions and limitations on the choice of candidates, one perhaps the most striking, that they only permitted one per country, and likewise had at least one from each continent (except Antarctica).  This then holds open the possibility for other candidates that were passed over, however this does not appear to diminish the worthiness of the 7 Wonders listed above.  The choice over other candidates could be determined by recognizing that some of them did not exist as a single arrangement (the Easter Island statues are a monumental collection but in no way a recognizable monument), and legitimately regards the grandness and structure (why the Statue of Liberty rather than Christ the Redeemer, has to do with the Miss Liberty being taller as well as a more attractive statue), or that is better classified as a ruin than a wonder (Stonehenge).  Other candidates considered for the New 7 Wonders were nice landmarks and locations, but lacked the aspect of creating a sense of wonder, which is the requisite impact embodied by a wonder of the world.  So among those to consider, it would be difficult thereby to add an 8th or 9th if one decided that the assignation of 7 was archaic nonsense: one cannot accept more or less than deserve the appellation, so in this case the number is well selected, arbitrary, but meaningfully scaled.      There have been considered at various times that there were the 7 Ancient Wonders, the 7 Modern Wonders, the 7 Natural Wonders, and now there are the New 7 Wonders.  Others that have been added are the Wonders of the Medieval World, Wonders of the Undersea World from CEDAM, Modern (Engineering) Wonders from the ASCE, and so on.  This seems to be an interesting way to draw attention to various places that hold within them a majesty and magic that we never seem to tire of, but always provides us with a certain awe.  It seems a worthwhile endeavor to assure that this natural human response does not get subverted by the immediate concerns and events of the moment.

7 Wonders Lists

The Seven Ancient Wonders Pyramids of Egypt (2780 BC) Colossus of Rhodes (280 BC) Lighthouse at Alexandria (250 BC) Hanging Gardens of Babylon (600 BC) Temple of Diana of Ephesus (323 BC) Tomb of Mausolus, Halicarnassus (350 BC) Statue of Zeus at Olympia (425 BC)   The Seven Modern Wonders Taj Mahal, Agra, India Empire State Building, New York Mount Rushmore, South Dakota Grand Coulee Dam, Washington Angkor Vat, Cambodia Chartres Cathedral, France Mackinac Suspension Bridge, Michigan   The Seven Natural Wonders Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone Park Angel Falls, Venezuela Grand Canyon, Arizona Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico Rainbow Bridge, Utah Giant Sequoia Trees, California Volcano Eruption, Hawaii   The Seven Engineering Wonders     Channel Tunnel, England & France     CN Tower, Toronto     Empire State Building, New York     Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco     Itaipu Dam, Brazil/Paraguay     Netherlands North Sea Protection Works, Netherlands     Panama Canal, Panama   The New 7 Wonders     Chichen Itza, Mexico     Christ Redeemer, Brazil     Colosseum, Italy     Taj Mahal, India     Great Wall of China     Petra, Jordan     Machu Picchu, Peru