The 8th natural wonder of the world refers to a site that has been voted as one of the top natural wonders in various internet polls and unofficial lists. While there is no officially designated “8th Wonder of the World”, several contenders have emerged based on their beauty, uniqueness, and global appeal. Some of the most popular sites that have been proposed as the 8th wonder include the Amazon Rainforest, Antarctica, the Grand Canyon, and Angel Falls.
Background on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
The concept of the Wonders of the World originated in ancient Greek and Roman times, when numerous lists were made to catalogue remarkable creations of nature and human ingenuity. The best known list of Seven Wonders was compiled in the 2nd century BCE by Antipater of Sidon and Philon of Byzantium. Their list consisted of:
– The Great Pyramid of Giza
– The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
– The Statue of Zeus at Olympia
– The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
– The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
– The Colossus of Rhodes
– The Lighthouse of Alexandria
These ancient wonders represented incredible feats of architecture, engineering, and artistic mastery. Sadly, all but the Great Pyramid of Giza were eventually destroyed over time. The original Seven Wonders gave rise to the idea that there are certain places in the world that are so remarkable and valuable that they transcend cultures and eras. This sparked the notion of adding an “8th Wonder of the World” to represent the most awe-inspiring natural sites and human creations of modern times.
What Makes a Site Worthy of Being the 8th Wonder?
There are several key criteria that a place must meet to be considered for the title of 8th Wonder of the World:
– Outstanding beauty and visual impact
– Geological uniqueness on a global scale
– Ecological significance
– Cultural and historical importance
– Major technical and architectural achievements (for man-made sites)
– Significant tourism interest and global recognition
Essentially, the site must have features that evoke a sense of wonder and amazement for people around the world. It should also have broad cultural resonance and be perceived as globally valuable both now and for future generations.
Top Contenders for the Title of 8th Wonder
Based on the criteria above, here are some of the top contenders that have been proposed as the 8th Wonder over the years:
Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, covering over 2.1 million square miles in South America. It has unparalleled biodiversity, with around 10% of all known plant and animal species living in the Amazon Basin. The rainforest also plays a vital role in regulating climate and carbon dioxide levels.
Antarctica
Antarctica is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent on Earth. It contains 90% of the world’s ice and 70% of its freshwater. The otherworldly ice landscapes, dramatic mountains, and exotic wildlife make it one of the most unspoiled natural environments left on the planet.
Grand Canyon
Carved over millions of years by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide. Its horizontal striations of colorful rock reveal two billion years of geological history. The enormity and natural beauty of the canyon draw five million tourists per year.
Angel Falls
Plunging 3,212 feet, Angel Falls in Venezuela is the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall. Its water cascades nonstop from a tabletop mountain, dispersing into mist before it reaches the ground. The falls and surrounding Canaima National Park are revered for their breathtaking landscape.
| Site | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Amazon Rainforest | – Largest tropical rainforest with incredible biodiversity – Vital role in climate regulation |
| Antarctica | – Coldest, driest, windiest continent – Contains 90% of world’s ice and 70% of freshwater |
| Grand Canyon | – 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide – Shows two billion years of geological history |
| Angel Falls | – World’s highest waterfall at 3,212 feet – Breathtaking landscape |
Other Famous Contenders
While the Amazon, Antarctica, Grand Canyon, and Angel Falls make most experts’ short lists, several other natural wonders have also been considered for the elusive title of 8th Wonder:
Mount Everest – As the highest mountain in the world at 29,032 feet, Mount Everest is revered for its lethal yet alluring summit. First conquered in 1953, it remains an ultimate challenge for mountain climbers.
Great Barrier Reef – The largest coral reef system in the world, the Great Barrier Reef off Australia stretches 1,400 miles and comprises over 2,900 individual reefs. This fragile underwater ecosystem harbors astonishing marine life.
Victoria Falls – This massive waterfall on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe is classified as the largest curtain of falling water on Earth. During peak flow, over 500 million liters cascade over the falls per minute.
Parícutin Volcano – Parícutin’s sudden formation in a Mexican cornfield in 1943 makes it one of the most unique volcanoes on the planet. Its symmetrical cinder cone stands at 1,391 feet tall.
Ha Long Bay – Scattered across this bay in Vietnam are over 1,600 limestone islands and islets, forming a tranquil seascape of rock formations rising out of emerald waters.
Jeita Grotto – Extending nine kilometers, Jeita Grotto in Lebanon features astonishing stalactite and stalagmite formations as well as an underground river. It is one of the longest cave systems on Earth.
Global Opinion on the 8th Wonder
There is no universal consensus on which place definitively deserves to be called the 8th Wonder of the World. However, various polls and surveys of international travelers and experts reveal a few favorites:
– In 2001, over 100 million people voted in a global poll sponsored by the New7Wonders Foundation. The winner was Brazil’s Amazon rainforest.
– A USA Today poll of travel experts in 2017 named Antarctica as the 8th Wonder, edging out competitors like the Grand Canyon.
– According to a poll by VirtualTourist.com in 2013, the top three contenders were the Grand Canyon (25% of votes), the Great Barrier Reef (22%), and Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro harbor (17%).
– Wondermondo’s survey of world geography experts in 2010 resulted in the Great Barrier Reef receiving the most points, followed by Antarctica and Mount Everest.
So while opinions vary, the Amazon, Antarctica, and Grand Canyon clearly emerge as leading contenders based on multiple polls and expert opinions. Other locations like Angel Falls, Mount Everest, and the Great Barrier Reef also stand out as awe-inspiring natural marvels potentially worthy of 8th Wonder status.
Advantages and Drawbacks of Designating an Official 8th Wonder
Although it’s fun to debate candidates for an honorary 8th Wonder of the World, there are arguments for and against actually designating an official list.
Potential advantages include:
– Drawing attention to environmental and cultural conservation of important sites.
– Boosting tourism and pride for countries that are home to the wonders.
– Inspiring people’s interest in travel, nature, and culture.
– Promoting global unity by designating internationally valued locations.
However, there are also disadvantages such as:
– Difficulty reaching a fair global consensus on one definitive list.
– Places left off the list losing tourist revenue and renown.
– Increased human impact on fragile natural ecosystems that become major attractions.
– Tourist saturation and environmental stress at designated locations.
Since all candidates have merits, an official list could be controversial and spark more debate. Keeping the 8th Wonder open to interpretation may be preferable over cementing a specific choice.
Qualities of Remarkable Natural Sites
Regardless of which landmarks might be deemed wonders of the world, there are certain special qualities that allow natural sites to evoke a sense of amazement and grandeur:
– Great size/height – Sites like the Grand Canyon and Angel Falls mesmerize us with their colossal measurements.
– Age and origination – Ancient natural features like Australia’s Great Barrier Reef inspire awe at their long evolutionary histories.
– Biodiversity – The immense richness of flora and fauna in places like the Amazon enthralls visitors.
– Unusual geology or ecosystems – From Antarctic ice landscapes to African deserts, unique environments fascinate people.
– Expanse/number – The wide scope of sites like the Sahara Desert or Milky Way galaxy overwhelm our senses.
– Visual impact – Picturesque places with pleasing aesthetics like lakes, glaciers, and mountains dazzle our eyes.
– Cultural significance – Locations like Mount Fuji that are spiritually meaningful draw pilgrims.
– Inaccessibility – Hard-to-reach spots like the Mariana Trench tantalize our imagination.
Places that exhibit extreme versions of such qualities are often considered the most wondrous natural phenomena on Earth. The 8th Wonder debate highlights our global appreciation of nature’s magic and beauty.
Conclusion
While no official 8th Wonder of the World has been designated, a handful of awe-inspiring natural sites stand out as leading contenders based on their beauty, rarity, ecology, and cultural significance. The Amazon rainforest, Antarctica, the Grand Canyon, and Angel Falls are consistently top choices in various polls, surveys, and expert opinions. Other wonders like Mount Everest, the Great Barrier Reef, and Victoria Falls also attract substantial support. There are good arguments on both sides for establishing an official list vs keeping the 8th Wonder open to interpretation. Whichever place ultimately earns the illustrious title, the debate underscores humanity’s abiding fascination with the diversity of wondrous locales across our planet. The magic and power of nature continue to inspire admiration across cultures.
