Suggestions for seven new Wonders of the World have flooded in following one of the biggest global polls ever conducted.
The results will be announced on July 07 2007 at Benfica’s Stadium of Light in Portugal.
More than 90 million people have voted so far.
Europe’s leading contenders are the Acropolis in Athens, Rome’s Colisseum and the Eiffel Tower.
They are competing with Machu Picchu, Mexico’s Chichen Itza ruins, India’s Taj Mahal, Petra in Jordan, Christ Redeemer in Brazil and the statues of Easter Island.
In all, 21 sites are contending.
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Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
The Pyramids of Giza, built around 2650-2500 BC as the tomb of fourth dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Khufu, are the only one of Seven Wonders of the ancient world still standing.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon built around 600 BC. Herodotus claimed that the outer walls were 56 miles in length, 80 feet thick and 320 feet high. Destroyed by post-1st century BC Earthquake.
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus built 550 BC and dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis. Herostratus burned it down in 356 BC in an attempt to achieve lasting fame.
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia erected 435 BC and was 40 feet (12 metres) tall. It was dismantled by Christian rulers during the 5th and 6th centuries to discourage paganism.
The Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus (in what is now south-east Turkey) built 351 BC and approximately 45 metres (135 feet) tall with each of the four sides adorned with sculptural reliefs. Origin of the word mausoleum. Damaged by an earthquake and totally destroyed by AD 1494 by European Crusaders.
The Colossus of Rhodes built 292-280 BC. A giant bronze statue of the Greek god Helios roughly the same size as today’s Statue of Liberty in New York. Destroyed by a 224 BC earthquake.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria built in 3rd century BC Egypt. At between 115 and 135 metres (383 – 440 ft) tall it was among the tallest man-made structures on Earth for many centuries. Destroyed between AD 1303-1480 by earthquake.