Seven Wonders of the World New List 960 540

Prepared by: Narinder Khurmi Website: www.khurmis.com Email: khurmieducation@yahoo.com Seven Wonders of the World (New List) – (Positioned on Time-Line) Great Wall of China: (Location - In China) The largest man—made monument ever built at about 4,000 miles in length, the wall was originally built to help create a united defense system and prevent invading Mongol tribes out of China. Construction began around the 8th century B.C. and efforts to revive it took place from 1368 — 1644 A.D. Petra: (Location – In Jordan) Petra, located on the edge of the Arabian desert, was home to Aretas IV, king of the Nabataeans, who were masters of water technology. The facade of a 138 ft.—high Hellenistic temple on the El-Deir Monastery—an example of traditional Middle Eastern culture—sits within the Palace Tombs of Petra. Colosseum: (Location - Rome in Italy) Almost every sports stadium today is created based on the design of the Colosseum, built between 70-82 A.D. Located in the center of Rome, the amphitheater could seat up to 50,000 spectators who watched public spectacles like the infamous gladiator fights. Chichen Itza: (Location - Yucatan in Mexico) Chichen Itza once served as the political and economic center of Mayan civilization. The city housed masterpieces like the Temple of Chac Mool, the Hall of the Thousand Pillars, the Playing Field of the Prisoners and the pyramid of Kukulkan, which was the last Mayan temple. Machu Picchu: (Location - Cuzco in Peru) Machu Picchu, which means "old settlement," is located halfway up the Andes Plateau—in the Amazon jungle and above the Urubamba River. Originally a 15th century Incan settlement, the magnificent city was "lost" for three centuries, then rediscovered in 1911. Taj Mahal: (Location - Agra in India) The white marble mausoleum is believed by many to be the best representation of Muslim art in India. The Taj Mahal was built around 1630, an order from Muslim emperor Shah Jahan, to honor the memory of his beloved late wife. Christ Redeemer: (Location - Rio-de-Janeiro in Brazil) The 124-foot statue of Jesus stands atop the Corcovado Mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. Built in 1931, it took five years to construct and symbolizes the warmth and welcoming spirit of the Brazilian people. =============================== Other Wonders of the World (From Ten Wonders) – (Positioned on Time-Line) Pyramid of Giza: (Location – Giza in Egypt) The Great Pyramid of Giza (also known as the Pyramid of Khufu or the Pyramid of Cheops) is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex bordering what is now El Giza, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact. Based on a mark in an interior chamber naming the work gang and a reference to fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu, Egyptologists believe that the pyramid was built as a tomb over a 10 to 20-year period concluding around 2560 BC. Initially at 146.5 metres (481 feet), the Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for more than 3,800 years. Originally, the Great Pyramid was covered by casing stones that formed a smooth outer surface; what is seen today is the underlying core structure. Parthenon: (Location – Athenian Acropolis in Greece) The Parthenon is a former temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron. Construction began in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the peak of its power. It was completed in 438 BC although decoration of the building continued until 432 BC. Eiffel Tower: (Location – Paris in France) The Eiffel Tower is a wrought iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. Constructed in 1889 as the entrance to the 1889 World's Fair, it was initially criticized by some of France's leading artists and intellectuals for its design, but has become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognisable structures in the world. The tower is the tallest structure in Paris and the most-visited paid monument in the world. The tower is 324 metres (1,063 ft) tall, Its base is square, 125 metres (410 ft) on a side. =============================== Wonders of the New World – (Positioned on Time-Line) Burj Khalifa: (Location – Dubai in UAE) It is the tallest artificial structure in the world, standing at 829.8 m (2,722 ft). Construction of Burj Khalifa began in 2004, with the exterior completed in 2009. The primary structure is reinforced concrete. It is designed to be the centerpiece of large-scale, mixed-use development. The decision to build the building is reportedly based on the government's decision to diversify from an oil-based economy, and for Dubai to gain international recognition.