The Seven Wonders of the World are amazing places that are important and special to people all over the world.
Long ago, the original Seven Wonders included:
- The Great Pyramid of Giza (Egypt)
- The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
- The Statue of Zeus (Olympia)
- The Temple of Artemis (Ephesus)
- The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
- The Colossus of Rhodes
- The Lighthouse of Alexandria
In the year 2000, a project began to choose new Seven Wonders. By 2017, the final list was completed. These are the new Seven Wonders of the World:
1. The Great Wall of China
This is the longest wall in the world, stretching over 20,000 kilometers. It was built between the 3rd century BC and the 17th century AD to protect China from enemies.
The wall starts in Shanhaiguan in the east and ends in Jiayuguan in the west. Today, millions of people visit it every year.
2. Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal is a beautiful white building in Agra, built between 1631 and 1648. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife.
It sits beside the Yamuna River and is surrounded by a large garden. The main architect was Ustad-Ahmad Lahori. The Taj Mahal is one of the most loved buildings in the world.
3. Petra, Jordan
Petra is an ancient city carved into pink rock. It was built more than 2,000 years ago by a group of people called the Nabateans.
The city was later damaged by an earthquake and forgotten for a long time. In 1812, it was found again by a Swiss traveler named Johann. Today, it’s one of the most famous historic places in the world.
4. The Colosseum, Italy
The Colosseum is a large stone arena in Rome, built between AD 70 and 80. It was used for fights, shows, and public events for hundreds of years.
Even though it was damaged by earthquakes and time, it is still a popular tourist site, with over 6 million visitors each year.
5. Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
This is a tall statue of Jesus Christ standing on top of a mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was built in the 20th century and is the largest Art Deco statue ever made.
The statue is 30 meters tall, and its arms stretch 28 meters wide. It was designed by a French artist, Paul Landowski, and built by a Brazilian engineer, Heitor da Silva Costa.
6. Chichén Itzá, Mexico
Chichén Itzá is an old city built by the Mayan people over 1,500 years ago. It is found on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
The famous temple there has 365 steps—one for each day of the year. At the top is a carving of a Mayan god called Kukulkán. In 1988, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
7. Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is a city from the ancient Inca Empire, built in the 1400s high in the Andes mountains in Peru.
It was forgotten for centuries and then rediscovered. It’s known for its amazing views and smart design. Today, so many people want to visit that the government has to limit how many can enter each year to protect it.
These new Seven Wonders are amazing places that show the beauty, history, and creativity of people around the world.