New Seven Wonder of the World
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ST 8 July 2007
New 'wonders of the world' named after online poll
LISBON - The Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan and Brazil's statue of Christ the Redeemer are among the modern-day seven wonders of the world chosen in a poll of 100 million online voters, organisers said on Saturday.
The other four are Peru's Machu Picchu, the mountain settlement that symbolises the Incan empire, Mexico's Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, the Colosseum in Rome and the Taj Mahal in India.
The seven winners were announced at a glitzy show at Portugal's Benfica stadium following what is likely to be the biggest ever online poll at www.new7wonders.com.
'Never before in history have so many people participated in a global decision,' said actress Hilary Swank at the presentation.
The New 7 Wonders of the World organisers say the contest was a chance to level the global cultural playing field and recognise the achievements of societies outside Europe and the Middle East.
The traditional 'seven wonders of the world' all existed more than 2,000 years ago and were all in the Mediterranean region. Only one remains standing today - the Pyramids of Giza.
The originals were selected by one man, believed by many to be ancient Greek writer Antipater of Sidon.
The New 7 Wonders of the World organisers say the contest was a chance to level the global cultural playing field and recognise the achievements of societies outside Europe and the Middle East.
Only one European site, the Colosseum, was picked. The Eiffel Tower and the Acropolis had also been contenders.
'I am happy that for the first time in history the world was able to vote and decide,' said Mr Jose Freitas do Amaral, commissioner of the New 7 Wonders of the World and Portugal's former foreign minister.
Glitzy presentation
Many Portuguese enjoying the glitzy presentation, which included break-dancing and singing by tenor Jose Carreras and pop star Jennifer Lopez, backed the choice of new wonders.
'I think this event is very important. It's important to give a chance to other historical monuments,' said 60-year-old Ivone Caroca.
At Chichen Itza, one of the three winning sites in Latin America, thousands of people cheered and applauded when the Mexican site was selected.
'This archaeological recognition is a great achievement for the whole country,' said Mr Alberto Jimenez, a 26-year-old engineering student, jumping with joy in Mexico's national green soccer shirt.
Some critics, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), have said wonders of the world should not be chosen in a popular vote.
In the Lisbon audience, 62-year-old Antonio Catarino was upset because no Catholic cathedrals or churches were included.
'I find it unforgivable that there aren't any in the voting,' he said.
The New 7 Wonders organisation, established by Swiss-Canadian adventurer Bernard Weber, will use half its revenues to fund restoration efforts worldwide, including recreating the Bamiyan Buddha statue in Afghanistan. -- REUTERS -
finally concluded
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Churches? Seeing how the Christians personally destroyed two of the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World, I find it most befitting that churches and cathedrals are not nominated or even chosen!
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I didn't even know it startedOriginally posted by Kenashi:finally concluded -
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glad that Machu Picchu is in
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In the Lisbon audience, 62-year-old Antonio Catarino was upset because no Catholic cathedrals or churches were included.
'I find it unforgivable that there aren't any in the voting,' he said. -
i tot that the stupas/temples in Borobudur would be a good contender. they are so beautiful, together with the giant statue of christ
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were the statues at easter island included in the list for pple to vote?
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and if that's the new official list.. what's this bunch of lists for:
http://wonderclub.com/AllWorldWonders.html -
explain? tell story pls?Originally posted by Slipshade:Churches? Seeing how the Christians personally destroyed two of the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World, I find it most befitting that churches and cathedrals are not nominated or even chosen! -
Statue of Zeus at Olympia was dismantled by Christian rulers to discourage paganism.
Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus was damaged by an earthquake and eventually disassembled by European Crusaders. -
i guess the Parthenon has been forgotten
it's still one of my fav world wonder
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i think chris was voted solely due to the large cat and christian pop in the world..i find tt there are better contenders
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Originally posted by LinYu:In the Lisbon audience, 62-year-old Antonio Catarino was upset because no Catholic cathedrals or churches were included.
'I find it unforgivable that there aren't any in the voting,' he said.
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the jesus statue hor
vietnam also have leh
in fact, they look identical -
Brazil's statue of Christ the Redeemer is nothing when compare to the Seven Moai of Easter Island.
India's Taj Mahal is nothing when compare to the Ankor Wat of Cambodia.
Italy's Colosseum is nothing when compare to the Stone Hedge of England.
And I wonder why Tha Pyramids of Giza is not on the lists? -
That Jesus statue is nice, but I wonder why the spectacular Buddha statue in HK (?) was not nominated.Originally posted by gigabyte14:the jesus statue hor
vietnam also have leh
in fact, they look identical -
Bamiyan Statues 
Angkor Wat Borobudur Pyramids Leaning Tower Parthenon Esplanade -
Modern day religious icons should not be part of that list.
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Oh My God ! !
Machu Picchu & The Liberator Status are one of those SEVEN Wonders & Angkor is out ? ? 
I wonder, out of those who voted, how many have actually visited all those places before they make their decision. -
this is really a commercial gimmick, there is a free vote online, and a $2 certificate vote, i bet there is a difference. they did not announce the no. of voters? difference between the free online vs the paid ones?
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if i live to see the
seven wonders
i'll make a path to the rainbow's end
i'll never live to match the beauty again
the rainbow's end