New Seven Wonders of the World

Have you ever dreamed of seeing amazing places built by people a long, long time ago? Imagine a giant stone wall that stretches over tall mountains, so long that it looks like a sleeping dragon. Picture a sparkling white palace, so beautiful it looks like it was made from moonlight, built just for a queen. Think about a huge statue with its arms open wide, as if it wants to give the whole city a hug, or a secret city carved right out of pink rock cliffs. I am the special idea that connects all of these incredible, real-life places. I am not just one building or one statue, but a whole family of them, a special list chosen by people just like you from all over the world. It’s so nice to meet you. I am the New Seven Wonders of the World.

For thousands of years, there was another list called the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It had amazing things on it, like a giant lighthouse and beautiful hanging gardens. But over time, all of them except for one disappeared. Only the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt is still standing today for people to see. So, a man from Switzerland named Bernard Weber had a brilliant idea back in the year 2000. He thought, 'The world is so big and full of amazing things people have built! We should have a new list to celebrate all the incredible monuments that still exist today.' So he started a worldwide vote. He made a list of 200 amazing places, and anyone, anywhere, could pick their favorites. More than 100 million people sent in their votes using their computers and phones. It was the biggest vote the world had ever seen, and everyone was excited to find out which places would be chosen.

Everyone waited and waited until a very special day, July 7th, 2007, to hear the results. On that day, the seven winners were finally announced. I am that list of winners. I am the Great Wall of China, so long it protects the land like a giant stone snake. I am Chichén Itzá in Mexico, a tall step-pyramid built by the clever Maya people to watch the sun and stars. I am Petra in Jordan, a whole city hidden in a secret canyon of pink rock. I am Machu Picchu in Peru, a mysterious city of the Inca people, built high up in the clouds. I am Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, the giant statue that watches over a busy city from a mountaintop. I am the Colosseum in Italy, a giant stadium where brave Roman gladiators once stood. And I am the Taj Mahal in India, a beautiful palace that is really a love story set in stone. I am this amazing list, but I am also a reminder that people from all different times and places can create truly breathtaking things. I hope I make you want to explore, learn, and maybe even build a wonder of your own one day.