The World has Voted for the New 7 Wonders !
Saturday, July 07, 2007. Source New7Wonders Foundation

• Great Wall, China (220 B.C and 1368-1644 A.D.) Perseverance and Persistence)

• Petra, Jordan (9 B.C. - 40 A.D.) Engineering and Protection

• Christ Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1931) Welcoming and Openness

• Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Peru (1460-1470) Community and Dedication

• Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico (before 800 A.D.) Worship and Knowledge

• Colosseum, Rome, Italy (70 - 82 A.D.) Joy and Suffering

• Taj Mahal, Agra, India (1630 A.D.) Love and Passion

The pyramids of Giza, the only surviving structures from the original seven wonders of the ancient world, were assured of retaining their status.

A Peruvian in national costume held up Machu Picchu's award to the sky and bowed to the crowd with his hands clasped, eliciting one of the biggest cheers from the audience of 50,000 people at a soccer stadium in Portugal's capital, Lisbon.

Ranking of the New 7 Wonders finalists as of May 7, 2007

2007 is the Year of New7Wonders -- More than 45 Millions Votes in.

May 7, 2007. Source: New7Wonders Ranking

Top 10, alphabetically:

1. Acropolis, Athens, Greece (450 - 330 B.C.) Civilization and Democracy

2. Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico (before 800 A.D.) Worship and Knowledge

3. Colosseum, Rome, Italy (70 - 82 A.D.) Joy and Suffering

4. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France (1887 - 89) Challenge and Progress

5. Great Wall, China (220 BC and 1368-1644 AD) Perseverance&Persistence

6. Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Peru (1460-1470) Community and Dedication

7. Petra, Jordan (9 B.C. - 40 A.D.) Engineering and Protection

8. Statues of Easter Island, Chile (10th - 16th Century)  Mystery and Awe

9. Stonehenge, Amesbury, UK(3000 BC - 1600 BC) Intrigue and Endurance

10. Taj Mahal, Agra, India (1630 A.D.) Love and Passion

Bottom 10, alphabetically:

1. Alhambra, Granada, Spain (12th century) Dignity and Dialog

2. Angkor, Cambodia (12th century) Beauty and Sanctity

3. Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey (532 - 537 A.D.) Faith and Respect

4. Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto, Japan (749 - 1855) Clarity and Serenity

5. Kremlin/St.Basil's, Moscow, Russia (1156 - 1850) Fortitude and Symbolism

6. Neuschwanstein Castle, Fussen, Germany  (1869 -1884) Fantasy and Imagination

7. Statue of Christ Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1931) Welcoming and Openness

8. Statue of Liberty, New York, USA (1886) Generosity and Hope

9. Sydney Opera House, Australia (1954 - 73) Abstraction and Creativity

10. Timbuktu, Mali  (12th century) Intellect and Mysticism

The vote is organized by a non-profit Swiss foundation called New7Wonders which specializes in the preservation, restoration and promotion of monuments, and the results will be announced on July 7, 2007 -  07.07.07, in Lisbon, Portugal, considered a neutral venue as the country has no contending landmark of its own.

More than 45 million votes have already been lodged, including many from India, for the Taj Mahal; China, for the Great Wall and Peru, for Machu Picchu, the fortress city of the Incas.

Votes can be made online, at www.new7wonders.com
 

Pyramids of Giza out of contest for New Wonders
Honorary New7Wonders Candidate

April 20, 2007. Source: New7Wonders Foundation

After careful consideration, the New7Wonders Foundation designates the Pyramids of Giza—the only remaining of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World—as an Honorary New7Wonders Candidate.

The 7 New Wonders of the World will now be chosen by the people across the globe from the 20 active New7Wonders candidates.
 

Seven wonders voting heats up among world audience

June 12, 2007. Source: The Associated Press by Eliane Engeler and Alexander G. Higgins

Geneva, Switzerland — The Great Wall, the Colosseum and Machu Picchu are among the leading contenders to be the new seven wonders of the world as a massive poll enters its final month with votes already cast by more than 50 million people, organizers say.

As the July 6 voting deadline approaches, the rankings can still change, the organizers say. Also in the top 10 are Greece's Acropolis, Mexico's Chichen Itza pyramid, the Eiffel Tower, Easter Island, Brazil's Statue of Christ Redeemer, the Taj Mahal and Jordan's Petra.

The Great Pyramids of Giza, the only surviving structures from the original seven wonders of the ancient world, are assured of keeping their status in addition to the new seven after indignant Egyptian officials said it was a disgrace they had to compete for a spot.

The winners will be announced on July 7 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Easter Islanders say Moai surely among '7 Wonders'

June 14, 2007. HANGA ROA, Chile (Reuters)

On one of the world's most remote outposts, Easter Island, inhabitants are adamant the giant stone statues that dominate their landscape should be recognized as one of the new seven wonders of the world.

The Moai, carved out of volcanic rock hundreds of years ago on this tiny triangle of land in the Pacific Ocean, are in the running to be chosen among the world's "New 7 Wonders" in a competition due to end next month.
 

Bill Gates in Machu Picchu: Incas Enjoy Famous Guests in Cuzco
June 24, 2007. Source Andina.com

Bill Gates in Machu Picchu

Peruvian City of Cuzco celebrated on Sunday the Inti Raymi (The Sun Feast) that recalls the glory of Incas empire, with two famous guests the Microsoft magnate Bill Gates and the actress Cameron Diaz.

The staging of the Incas worshiping the sun God, completely paralyzed the city, located at 723.9 miles southeast from Lima with hundreds of thousands of tourists, since this date is one of greatest influx of foreign tourist.

With the participation of 600 actors attired with Inca's common clothes and the symbols of the time, the work began at Coricancha temple, in the heart of the city.

Andina reports noted US actress Cameron Diaz, who is shooting a documentary in Cuzco, for a few days ago and Microsoft owner Bill Gates were attending the feast as tourists.
 

There's Something About Machu Picchu: Cameron Diaz explores ancient Incan capital in Cuzco
June 19, 2007. Source AFP.

Cameron Diaz in Cuzco

Hollywood star Cameron Diaz arrived Tuesday in Cuzco, the capital of the ancient Inca empire, on vacation with guests and a security team, the official news agency Andina reported.

Diaz, 34, star of "Charlie's Angels" and "There's Something About Mary," checked into a hotel in downtown Cusco, a city 3,400 meters (11,155 feet) above sea level some 600 kilometers (373 miles) south-east of Lima.

After a short rest the Cuban-American star turned heads as she went for a walk in the city's historic plaza.

Diaz plans to visit the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu and attend annual re-enactment of the Inti Raymi, the Inca festival of the sun and a major Cusco tourist draw.

Regularly voted one of the world's most beautiful women, Diaz plans stay in Cusco until June 26, Andina reported.

Diaz's film credits include "Gangs of New York" and "The Mask."

Macchu Picchu is one of 21 historical sites in an internet competition to be one of the new "Seven Wonders of the World."
 

Time is running out to vote for seven new wonders
Thursday, July 05, 2007. Source Associated Press

The Great Wall of China, the Colosseum in Rome and Peru's Machu Picchu are leading contenders to be among the new seven wonders of the world, as a massive poll draws to a close with votes already cast by more than 90 million people, organizers say.

As the 8 p.m. EDT Friday voting deadline approaches, the rankings can still change. Also in the top 10 are the Acropolis in Greece, Chichen Itza pyramid in Mexico, Eiffel Tower in Paris, Easter Island, Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Taj Mahal in India and Jordan's ancient city of Petra.

The winners will be announced on Saturday in Lisbon, Portugal.