Seven wonders of México

Seven wonders of México

In 2007, more than 100 million people voted to declare the New Seven Wonders of the World. The following list of seven winners is presented without ranking, and aims to represent global heritage.

Great Wall of China

China

Built between the 5th century B.C. and the 16th century, the Great Wall of China is a stone-and-earth fortification created to protect the borders of the Chinese Empire from invading Mongols. The Great Wall is actually a succession of multiple walls spanning approximately 4,000 miles, making it the world's longest manmade structure.

Machu Picchu

Peru

Machu Picchu, an Incan city of sparkling granite precariously perched between 2 towering Andean peaks, is thought by scholars to have been a sacred archaeological center for the nearby Incan capital of Cusco. Built at the peak of the Incan Empire in the mid-1400s, this mountain citadel was later abandoned by the Incas. The site remained unknown except to locals until 1911, when it was rediscovered by archaeologist Hiram Bingham. The site can only be reached by foot, train or helicopter; most visitors visit by train from nearby Cusco.

Chichen Itza

Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

The genius and adaptability of Mayan culture can be seen in the splendid ruins of Chichen Itza. This powerful city, a trading center for cloth, slaves, honey and salt, flourished from approximately 800 to 1200, and acted as the political and economic hub of the Mayan civilization. The most familiar ruin at the site is El Caracol, a sophisticated astronomical observatory.

The Roman Colosseum

Rome, Italy

Rome's, if not Italy's, most enduring icon is undoubtedly its Colosseum. Built between A.D. 70 and 80 A.D., it was in use for some 500 years. The elliptical structure sat nearly 50,000 spectators, who gathered to watch the gladiatorial events as well as other public spectacles, including battle reenactments, animal hunts and executions. Earthquakes and stone-robbers have left the Colosseum in a state of ruin, but portions of the structure remain open to tourists, and its design still influences the construction of modern-day amphitheaters, some 2,000 years later.

Taj Majal

Agra, India

A mausoleum commissioned for the wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the Taj Majal was built between 1632 and 1648. Considered the most perfect specimen of Muslim art in India, the white-marble Taj Majal actually represents a number of architectural styles, including Persian, Islamic, Turkish and Indian. The Taj Majal also encompasses formal gardens of raised pathways, sunken flower beds and a linear reflecting pool.

Petra

Jordan

Declared a World Heritage Site in 1985, Petra was the capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV, and likely existed in its prime from 9 B.C. to A.D. 40. The members of this civilization proved to be early experts in manipulating water technology, constructing intricate tunnels and water chambers, which helped create an pseudo-oasis. A number of incredible structures carved into stone, a 4,000-seat amphitheater and the El-Deir monastery have also helped the site earn its fame.

13 wonderful of México

The natural Wonders of Mexico are unlimited, however, after a public poll, a television station made it possible to name the 13 wonders.

Winning the most votes was Barranca del Cobre in the State of Chihuahua. It is a system of ravines of great depth belonging to the Sierra Tarahumara, named Urique, Sinforosa, Batopilas, Candameña, Río Mayo and Oteros, among others. The ravines also originate one of the country’s most important hydrological systems; Fuerte, Mayo and Yaqui Rivers. The most famous route is offered by the train system from Chihuahua to the Pacific Ocean, the system is enriched by enormous waterfalls like Piedra Volada and Basaseachi, with 453 and 246 meters approximately.

Cuatro Ciénegas is the second wonder, in the State of Coahuila. A protected valley for the endemic subspecies of flora and fauna, like some species of turtles and the “blind fish”. The waters of Cuatro Ciénegas contain a type of algae coralline with a bluish characteristic. The place also gathers endemic species, habitat in which water species live in the middle of a desert climate.

The Cañón del Sumidero

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