Nominations are being sought for a new list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. In a global poll scheduled to begin in January 2009, people all over the world will be able to cast a vote for their favorite natural wonder. Nominations are now being solicited over the internet. So far 300 suggestions have been received from six continents, but there's plenty of time to enter your favorite site. For more information or to make a nomination, visit http://www.new7wonders.com/.
More than 100 million people around the globe participated in the first contest to replace the ancient Seven Wonders of the World, most of which no longer exist. That contest, which concluded in July, asked voters to choose seven existing structural wonders of the world. Voters selected:
- Taj Mahal in India
- Great Wall of China
- Colosseum in Rome
- Manchu Picchu in Peru
- Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil
- The rock city of Petra in Jordan
- Chichen Itza pyramid in Mexico
The contests are sponsored by the nonprofit foundation New7Wonders. The organization was formed in 1999 by Swiss-Canadian adventurer Bernard Weber to, in his words, "create respect and enthusiasm ... for the beauty of our planet. The closer we bring the beauty of our planet ... to the people, the more likely they will say, 'Oh, we have to do something to conserve it.'"
It is expected to take several years to winnow the nominations down to a list of finalists, conduct the vote and tally the results. In early 2009, the 77 sites receiving the most nominations will be reviewed by experts who will select a list of 21 finalists for a global vote. Winners will be announced in 2010. America is a land filled with natural beauty. What will you nominate? The Grand Canyon? Brice Canyon? The Everglades? The Great Smoky Mountains? The giant Sequoias?
