The Seven Wonders of the World (or the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) is a widely-known list of seven remarkable constructions of classical antiquity. The earliest known version of the list was compiled in the 2nd century BC by Antipater of Sidon; it appears to be based on the guide books popular among Hellenic sight-seers and only includes works located around the Mediterranean rim. The notion of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World can be traced back to the fifth century B.C. These creations rivaled many created by nature in their size, majesty, and beauty. Six of the seven wonders no longer stand, having been destroyed by natural disaster or by humans.

Since the ancient Greeks first established the Seven Wonders of World more than 2,000 years ago, people across the globe have enjoyed debating which are the most remarkable of Earth's many spectacular sites. In this spirit, Swiss adventurer Bernard Weber set out to name the "New 7 Wonders of the World" in 1999. Almost 200 sites around the world were nominated, and the list was then narrowed to 21. One of these, the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the sole original Wonder of the Ancient World to survive, was named an honorary wonder. Seven more of the remaining 20 were chosen by worldwide vote, via internet and phone polling, and announced on July 7, 2007

The Taj Mahal, in Agra, India, is the spectacular mausoleum built by Muslim Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to honor the memory of his beloved late wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Construction began in 1632 and took about 15 years to complete. The opulent, domed mausoleum, which stands in formal walled gardens, is generally regarded as finest example of Mughal art and architecture. It includes four minarets, each more than 13 stories tall. Shah Jahan was deposed and put under house arrest by one of his sons soon after the Taj Mahal's completion. It's said that he spent the rest of his days gazing at the Taj Mahal from a window. The white marble mausoleum is believed by many to be the best representation of Muslim art in India.

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 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. Chichen Itza possibly the most famous temple city of the Mayas, a pre-Columbian civilization that lived in present day Central America. It was the political and religious center of Maya civilization during the period from A.D. 750 to 1200. At the city's heart lies the Temple of Kukulkan (pictured)-which rises to a height of 79 feet (24 meters). Each of its four sides has 91 steps-one step for each day of the year, with the 365th day represented by the platform on the top.

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. The ruined city is among the best known remnants of the Inca civilization, which flourished in the Andes region of western South America. The city is thought to have been abandoned following an outbreak of deadly smallpox, a disease introduced in the 1500s by invading Spanish forces.

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. The best known section was built around 200 B.C. by the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang Di.

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.

Petra is famous for its many stone structures such as a 138-foot-tall (42-meter-tall) temple carved with classical facades into rose-colored rock. The ancient city also included tunnels, water chambers, and an amphitheater, which held 4,000 people. Perched on the edge of the Arabian Desert, Petra was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to A.D. 40).

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.