IN THE year 2000, a Swiss foundation initiated a campaign aimed at identifying the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Considering that the original Seven Wonders catalog was compiled in the 2nd century BCE, and with just one of those wonders, the Pyramids of Giza, still standing, it became evident that an update was long overdue.
Interestingly, people worldwide seemed to concur, as more than 100 million votes were cast through the Internet or via text messaging.
When the final results were unveiled in 2007, they elicited both applause and criticism. Some prominent contenders, such as Athens’s Acropolis, didn’t make the final cut. Do you align with the choices made for the new list?
Please read on:
- Great Wall of China
Great might be an understatement. One of the world’s largest building-construction projects, the Great Wall of China is widely thought to be about 5,500 miles (8,850 km) long; a disputed Chinese study, however, claims the length is 13,170 miles (21,200 km). Work began in the 7th century BCE (Before the Common Era) and continued for two millennia. Although called a “wall,” the structure actually features two parallel walls for lengthy stretches. In addition, watchtowers and barracks dot the bulwark. One not-so-great thing about the wall, however, was its effectiveness. Although it was built to prevent invasions and raids, the wall largely failed to provide actual security. Instead, scholars have noted that it served more as “political propaganda.”
- Chichén Itzá
Chichén Itzá is a Mayan city on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, which flourished in the 9th and 10th centuries CE. Under the Mayan tribe Itzá—who were strongly influenced by the Toltecs—a number of important monuments and temples were built. Among the most notable is the stepped pyramid El Castillo (“The Castle”), which rises 79 feet (24 meters) above the Main Plaza. A testament to the Mayans’ astronomical abilities, the structure features a total of 365 steps, the number of days in the solar year. During the spring and autumnal equinoxes, the setting sun casts shadows on the pyramid that give the appearance of a serpent slithering down the north stairway; at the base is a stone snake head. Life there was not all work and science, however. Chichén Itzá is home to the largest tlachtli (a type of sporting field) in the Americas. On that field the residents played a ritual ball game popular throughout pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.
- Petra
The ancient city of Petra, Jordan, is located in a remote valley, nestled among sandstone mountains and cliffs. It was purported to be one of the places where Moses struck a rock and water gushed forth. Later the Nabataeans, an Arab tribe, made it their capital, and during this time it flourished, becoming an important trade center, especially for spices. Noted carvers, the Nabataeans chiseled dwellings, temples, and tombs into the sandstone, which changed color with the shifting sun. In addition, they constructed a water system that allowed for lush gardens and farming. At its height, Petra reportedly had a population of 30,000. The city began to decline, however, as trade routes shifted. A major earthquake in 363 CE caused more difficulty, and after another tremor hit in 551, Petra was gradually abandoned. Although rediscovered in 1912, it was largely ignored by archaeologists until the late 20th century, and many questions remain about the city.
- Machu Picchu
This Incan site near Cuzco, Peru, was “discovered” in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, who believed it was Vilcabamba, a secret Incan stronghold used during the 16th-century rebellion against Spanish rule. Although that claim was later disproved, the purpose of Machu Picchu has confounded scholars. Bingham believed it was home to the “Virgins of the Sun,” women who lived in convents under a vow of chastity. Others think that it was likely a pilgrimage site, while some believe it was a royal retreat. (One thing it apparently should not be is the site of a beer commercial. In 2000 a crane being used for such an ad fell and cracked a monument.) What is known is that Machu Picchu is one of the few major pre-Columbian ruins found nearly intact. Despite its relative isolation high in the Andes Mountains, it features agricultural terraces, plazas, residential areas, and temples.
- Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer, a colossal statue of Jesus, stands atop Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro. Its origins date to just after World War I, when some Brazilians feared a “tide of godlessness.” They proposed a statue, which was ultimately designed by Heitor da Silva Costa, Carlos Oswald, and Paul Landowski. Construction began in 1926 and was completed five years later. The resulting monument stands 98 feet (30 meters) tall—not including its base, which is about 26 feet (8 meters) high—and its outstretched arms span 92 feet (28 meters). It is the largest Art Deco sculpture in the world. Christ the Redeemer is made of reinforced concrete and is covered in approximately six million tiles. Somewhat disconcertingly, the statue has often been struck by lightning, and in 2014 the tip of Jesus’s right thumb was damaged during a storm.
- Colosseum
The Colosseum in Rome was built in the first century by order of the Emperor Vespasian. A feat of engineering, the amphitheater measures 620 by 513 feet (189 by 156 meters) and features a complex system of vaults. It was capable of holding 50,000 spectators, who watched a variety of events. Perhaps most notable were gladiator fights, though men battling animals was also common. In addition, water was sometimes pumped into the Colosseum for mock naval engagements. However, the belief that Christians were martyred there—namely, by being thrown to lions—is debated. According to some estimates, about 500,000 people died in the Colosseum. Additionally, so many animals were captured and then killed there that certain species reportedly became extinct.
- Taj Mahal
This mausoleum complex in Agra, India, is regarded as one of the world’s most iconic monuments and is perhaps the finest example of Mughal architecture. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahān (reigned 1628–58) to honor his wife Mumtāz Maḥal (“Chosen One of the Palace”), who died in 1631 giving birth to their 14th child. It took about 22 years and 20,000 workers to construct the complex, which includes an immense garden with a reflecting pool. The mausoleum is made of white marble that features semiprecious stones in geometric and floral patterns. Its majestic central dome is surrounded by four smaller domes. According to some reports, Shah Jahān wished to have his own mausoleum made out of black marble. However, he was deposed by one of his sons before any work began.
Source: Britannica
(Filed by Jr Amigo/ai/mnm)
WHEN it comes to ranking the largest countries on Earth in 2023, we focus on total land area rather than population. These countries boast vast expanses of territory that beckon to those seeking wide-open spaces and new horizons.
If you’ve ever yearned for more room to roam, consider the following United Nations-recognized nations, each large enough to accommodate you and your family comfortably, with plenty of breathtaking landscapes to explore.
Let’s delve into the top ten largest countries in the world in 2023 and, if you have a thirst for open space and extended journeys, perhaps find inspiration for your next travel destination. Although visiting the top-ranked country might pose challenges due to ongoing conflicts, the others offer unique opportunities to explore their immense territories.
- Algeria – 2,381,740 km²
Algeria, situated in North Africa, achieved its independence in 1962 following an eight-year struggle against French occupation. Prior to that, the land endured centuries of foreign rule, dating back to the 3rd Century BC with the Numidians.
With a population of approximately 45.5 million, Algeria in 2023 is renowned for its Mediterranean climate and vast Saharan deserts, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tassili n’Ajjer, famous for its abundant rock art.
- Kazakhstan – 2,724,900 km²
Kazakhstan, located in Central Asia, boasts a total area of 2,724,900 km². Its territory spills over into Europe west of the Ural River.
With an estimated population of just under 19.6 million, Kazakhstan ranks among the less densely populated nations on this list. The country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, with over a million ethnic Kazakhs returning in the subsequent decade.
Known as the world’s largest landlocked country, Kazakhstan is a region of diverse landscapes, from the expansive Kazakh Steppe adorned with Bronze Age petroglyphs to its rugged mountains, canyons, and the famous Baikonur Cosmodrome, where numerous space missions are launched.
- Argentina – 2,780,400 km²
Argentina, spanning 2,780,400 km², finds itself in eighth place among the world’s largest countries. This South American nation is famous for producing two of the greatest football players in history.
With an estimated population of around 45.75 million, Argentina is a vibrant country graced with stunning landscapes and a 4,989 km coastline. Its journey to independence from Spain began in 1816, ultimately culminating in the Argentina we know today. Beyond its football fame, Argentina is celebrated for its picturesque beaches, the towering Andes mountains, Telampaya National Park, and mesmerizing waterfalls.
- India – 3,287,263 km²
India, with its expansive 3,287,263 km², ranks as the seventh-largest country globally. It also lays claim to the world’s rainiest location.
This ancient nation, formerly known as the “Jewel in the Crown of the British Empire,” has been inhabited for millennia, with traces dating back to the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC – the Indus Valley civilization. India is renowned for its religious monuments, palaces, diverse wildlife (including elephants and tigers), and its rich, varied geography featuring mountains, deserts, and the iconic Ganges River.
With an estimated population of nearly 1.43 billion, India stands as the most densely populated country on this list, surpassing even China.
- Australia – 7,741,220 km²
Australia’s vastness is so exceptional that it qualifies as its own continent, covering a total area of 7,741,220 km², which is more than twice the size of India.
As a pop-culture icon, Australia is famous for “shrimps on the barbie,” its unique and formidable wildlife (including Saltwater crocodiles, koalas, and kangaroos), the striking Outback, Ayers Rock, and, notably, the Great Barrier Reef.
With a population of just under 26.5 million, Australia ranks as the most sparsely populated country on this list, closely trailing Kazakhstan. Indigenous Australians have inhabited the land for over 60,000 years, and it later became a part of the British Empire, primarily serving as a penal colony with over 150,000 convicts.
- Brazil – 8,515,770 km²
Brazil, the largest country in South America and the southern hemisphere, encompasses a total area of 8,515,770 km².
Brazil is renowned for the Amazon rainforest, the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, and its unwavering passion for football, with numerous FIFA World Cup victories.
With over 216.35 million inhabitants, Brazil stands as the most populous country in South America. It achieved full independence from Portuguese rule in 1822 after more than three centuries of colonial governance.
- China – 9,596,960 km²
China, the largest country entirely within Asia, spans a total area of 9,596,960 km², ranking fourth globally in land area and second in population size, with an estimated 1.425 billion inhabitants.
As one of the world’s most ancient civilizations, China boasts a rich history dating back to the 13th Century BC. Known for landmarks such as the Great Wall, Giant Pandas, the ethereal Zhangjiajie mountains, and the Forbidden City, it offers a myriad of captivating attractions.
- The USA – 9,833,517 km²
The United States of America, with its vast 9,833,517 km², takes second place in North America as the largest country.
The USA declared independence from British rule in 1776 and has since played a pivotal role in global politics. Its diverse landscapes encompass the Rocky Mountains, Great Lakes, Yellowstone National Park, Death Valley, and other natural wonders, including the Grand Canyon.
With an estimated population of just under 340 million, there is ample room for exploration within the United States.
- Canada – 9,984,670 km²
Canada, with a colossal total area of 9,984,670 km², stands as the second-largest country globally and the largest in North America, surpassing the USA.
Despite its immense size, Canada maintains a relatively small population, estimated at 38.7 million in 2023. This vast land is home to attractions like Niagara Falls, extensive forests teeming with wildlife, including bears, wolves, and mountain lions, as well as the longest coastline globally, spread across over 52 thousand islands. The country boasts numerous lakes, including Lake Superior, Huron, and Great Bear Lake, which contribute to its status as the nation with the most lakes, exceeding the rest of the world combined.
- Russia – 17,098,242 km²
Russia reigns supreme as the largest country in the world, covering an astounding 17,098,242 km². It nearly doubles the size of Canada and constitutes roughly 11 percent of the Earth’s total landmass. Russia’s vast expanse extends from the northeast of Europe across the northern reaches of Asia.
Due to permafrost, over 60 per cent of Russia is uninhabitable. Thanks to portions of it melting, some people hunt mammoth tusks in the country.
With a population of just under 145 million, Russia is another sparsely populated nation on this list. Due to the ongoing war following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the ongoing conflict, travelling to Russia is ill-advised.
(Filed by Jr Amigo/ai/mnm)
Source: BBC Science Focus
Map Of Russia
BORDERS serve as the defining lines of nations, delineating their political and often natural boundaries, which, in turn, establish their physical expanse.
Political boundaries, as artificial divisions, separate one political entity, such as a country or state, from another. Meanwhile, natural borders encompass features like oceans, seas, rivers, and mountain ranges.
The Largest Countries:
The three most extensive sovereign nations, in terms of surface area, are Russia, Canada, and the United States. Together, they encompass approximately a quarter of Earth’s landmass. Additional sizable countries include China, Brazil, Australia, India, Argentina, and Kazakhstan.
The Smallest Countries:
Among the world’s tiniest countries are the island nations scattered across the Caribbean and the South Pacific Ocean (Oceania).
The three smallest countries globally are Vatican City, an enclave within Rome, Italy; Monaco, a principality situated along the Mediterranean coast and enclosed by Southern France; and Nauru, an island nation nestled in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
Land mass of countries may expand via:
Land Reclamation
Typically, the size of countries remains relatively constant unless special circumstances, such as land reclamation, come into play. Land reclamation involves the creation of new land from oceans, seas, wetlands, or the expansion of coastlines. This practice results in an enlargement of a country’s territory.
China leads the world in land reclamation efforts. Since 1949, the People’s Republic has artificially created an extensive landmass, estimated at over 13,000 km², roughly equivalent to the size of the Bahamas. Other countries with notable land reclamation projects include the Netherlands (7,000 km²), South Korea (1,550 km²), the United States (over 1,000 km²), Japan (over 500 km²), the UAE (470 km²), Bahrain (410 km²), Singapore (135 km²), Bangladesh (110 km²), and Hong Kong (67 km²).
Invasion
Historically, nations sought to expand their territories by invading neighboring countries, a practice that has waned over time. Colonial times witnessed a scramble for territories, with occupying other nations being seen as a kind of competition.
World War I and World War II, however, led to the reduction of the enemy’s civilian population and an expansion of the victor’s sphere of influence. While this form of territorial expansion has diminished, contemporary examples of military occupations still exist, such as the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Northern Cyprus, Abkhazia, the Western Sahara, and Crimea.
China’s persistent efforts to expand its sphere of influence in the South China Sea, where it claims approximately 90% of the waters as its territorial domain, persist as an example. These claims disregard international maritime laws, which recognize Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Brunei as entitled to their maritime resource zones.
(Compiled by Jr. Amigo/ai/mnm)
HUMANITY has become obsessed with breaking its limits, creating new records only to break them repeatedly. In fact, our cities’ skylines have always been defined by those in power during every period in history. At one point churches left their mark, followed by public institutions, and in the last few decades, commercial skyscrapers continue to stretch taller and taller.
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has developed its own system for classifying tall buildings, stating that the Burj Khalifa (828 m.) is the world’s tallest building.
Led by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, here are the Top 25 tallest buildings in the world today, 11 of which are found in China.
- Burj Khalifa / Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Shanghai Tower / Gensler
Shanghai, China - Makkah Royal Clock Tower / Dar al-Handasah Shair & Partners + SL Rasch
Mecca, Saudi Arabia - Ping An Finance Center / Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates
Shenzhen, China - Lotte World Tower / Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates
Seoul, South Korea - One World Trade Center / Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM)
New York, United States - Tianjin CTF Finance Centre / Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
Tianjin, China - Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre / Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates
Guangzhou, China - CITIC Tower / Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates + TFP Farrells
Beijing, China - TAIPEI 101 / C.Y. Lee & Partners Architects/Planners
Taipei, Taiwan - Shanghai World Financial Center / Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) + Mori Building + Irie Miyake Architects and Engineers
Shanghai, China - International Commerce Centre / Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF)
Hong Kong - Central Park Tower / Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
New York, United States - Lakhta Center / Gorproject
Saint Petersburg, Russia - Vincom Landmark 81 / Atkins
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Changsha IFS Tower T1 / Wong Tung & Partners
Changsha, China - Torre Petronas 1 / Cesar Pelli & Associates
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Torre Petronas 2 / Cesar Pelli & Associates
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Suzhou IFS / Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF)
Suzhou, China - Zifeng Tower / Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM)
Nanjing, China - The Exchange 106 / Mulia Group
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Wuhan Center Tower / East China Architectural Design & Research Institute
Wuhan, China - Willis Tower / Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM)
Chicago, United States - KK100 / TFP Farrells
Shenzhen, China - Guangzhou International Finance Center / Wilkinson Eyre Architects
Guangzhou, China
(Filed by Jr Amigo/mnm)