Eiffel Tower, Paris, France and the election of
the New Seven
Wonders of the World
Only one of the ancient wonders of the
world still survives - now history lovers are being invited to choose a new
list of seven.
Among 20 locations short listed
for the worldwide vote is the Eiffel Tower, Paris. Eiffel
Tower, found in Paris was designed and constructed by
Alexander-Gustave Eiffel. It is a Parisian landmark and
technological masterpiece in building construction history.
The tower is visited by six million people every year.
An original list of nearly 200 sites nominated by the public
was narrowed to 20 by the organizers and experts, including
the former director general of Unesco Professor Federico
Mayor.
The vote is organized by a 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 40 million votes have already been lodged, including
many from India, for the Taj Mahal; China, for the Great
Wall and from Peru for Machu Picchu, the fortress city of
the Incas.
The original Seven Wonders of the ancient world were
selected by Greek philosopher Philon of Byzantium more than
2,000 years ago. Only the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is is
an Honorary New7Wonders Candidate, is still standing.
The other original seven wonders of the ancient world were
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 and the Lighthouse of
Alexandria.
Tia Viering, spokeswoman for New7Wonders, said: "Apart from
the Pyramids, the seven ancient wonders of the world no
longer exist."
The only criteria for the new list is that the landmarks
were built or discovered before 2000.
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.
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