HERITAGE: Looking for the New Wonders
ARTICLES
The New Seven Wonders of the World Vote Closing
The commonly known Seven Ancient Wonders of the World were all man-made monuments, selected by Philon of Byzantium in 200 B.C. His selection of wonders was essentially a travel guide for fellow Athenians, and the stunning sites were all located around the Mediterranean basin, the then-known world.
The New 7 Wonders Campaign
The New7Wonders Foundation, which is the body behind the New7Wonders campaign, has the express aim of documenting, maintaining, restoring and reconstructing world heritage under the motto: "Our heritage is our future." The New7Wonders Foundation calls on all citizens of the world to support it. Through film, television, the Internet and books, people shall be alerted to the destruction of nature and the decay of our man-made heritage.
45 Million People Have Voted for «New Seven Wonders»
More than 45 million people have voted so far in an Internet campaign to choose the seven 'new' wonders of the world out of 21 shortlisted historical buildings or monuments. In the most recent count published, the top 10 were the Acropolis in Greece, the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza in Mexico, the Coliseum in Rome, the Eiffel tower in Paris, the Great Wall of China, the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, Petra in Jordan, the statues on Easter Island, Britain's Stonehenge and the Taj Mahal in Ind...
New 7 Wonders Tensions
Egyptians in particular are unhappy that their pyramids were nominated in the contest at all. They think as the only surviving ancient wonders of the world, the pyramids don't need the humiliation of being involved in a vote where they have only a 1 in 3 chance of ending up a Wonder--Egyptian government officials even refused to meet with the New 7 Wonders team.
Peru Pushes to Make Inca City One of World Wonders
Peru‘s government, seeking to boost tourism in the Andean country, is urging residents and visitors to vote for the ancient Inca site of Machu Picchu as one of the world’s new seven wonders.
Mayan Site Fears «Seven Wonders» Success
Mexico‘s most famous Mayan ruins, at Chichen Itza, could become a victim of their own success if they are named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a global competition.
Archaeologists said the pyramid site in southeastern Mexico would be hit by an avalanche of additional visitors if it wins the contest and that the extra wear and tear could force authorities to limit the tourist traffic.
Indian Beauty Talks Up the Taj
It was the coming together of arguably two of the most beautiful creations in the world - the Taj Mahal and Indian actress Aishwarya Rai - as part of a campaign to have the famous monument recognized as one of the new seven wonders of the world. As things stood, the Taj was lagging behind, until Aishwarya, whom many - especially Indians - consider the No 1 beauty in the world, intervened. Now the Taj is making its way up the list.