2. Great Wall of China
Constructed between the fifth century B.C. and the 16th
century, the Great Wall is the world's longest human-made
structure, stretching some 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers).
The best known section was built around 200 B.C. by the
first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang Di.
3. The Colosseum, Rome,
Italy
The only finalist from Europe to make it into the top seven—
the Colosseum in Rome,Italy—once held up to 50,000
spectators who came to watch gory games involving
gladiators, wild animals, and prisoners.
Construction began around A.D. 70 under Emperor
Vespasian.
4. Machu Picchu, Peru
One of three successful candidates from Latin America,
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century mountain settlement in the
Amazon region of Peru.
The ruined city is among the best known remnants of the Inca
civilization, which flourished in the Andes region of western
South America.
5. Petra, Jordan
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 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.
The Jordanian royal family backed a campaign promoting
Petra's selection
6. Chichén Itzá, Mexico
Chichén Itzá is 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.
7. Christ the Redeemer
The 105-foot-tall (38-meter-tall) "Christ the
Redeemer" statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was
among the "new seven wonders of the world"
announced July 7 following a global poll to decide a
new list of human-made marvels.
8. Taj Mahal, India
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.