facts about the Seven Wonders of the World
The breath-taking man-made structure
Chichén Itza, Mexico
Located in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, Chichén Iyza is a world-famous complex of Mayan ruins which served as a religious, political and economic centre spanning from approximately 800 to 1200.
Fact: The most recognisable step pyramid, known as El Castillo stands at 80 feet high.
Fact: There are four sets of stairs, one on each side of the ruins. Each staircase has 91 steps, if you also include the top platform this equates to 365 in total - one for each day of the year.
Christ the Redeemer Statue, Brazil
The imposing statue is an icon of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil, and has watched over the city since 1931.
Fact: The statue is 130-foot statue has a wingspan of 92 feet. A mix of concrete and soapstone was used to build Christ the Redeemer which weighs in at approximately 700 tonne.
Fact: The easiest way to access the sculpture is via a cogwheel steam engine train up the steep 2.3-mile slope followed by 200 steps.
Colosseum, Italy
The majestic Colosseum was built in Rome in approximately AD70.
Fact: It was used for many years as a stage for gladiator contests, group combats, battle re-enactments and other productions were performed to audiences of between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators.
Fact: Over the years it has undergone structural work and battled the elements and to this date is one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions.
##taj Mahal, India
This stunning ivory-white marble mausoleum was built by Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal (or Mogul) Emperor of India as a memorial to his deceased wife Mumtaz Maha.
Fact: Construction of the Taj Mahal started on 1631 shortly after the passing of the Emperor’s wife and took more than two decades at a cost of 32 million rupees (today’s equivalent of $827 million).
Fact: The Taj Mahal attracts 7–8 million visitors a year.
Great Wall of China
The actual length of great wall is of great debate, with sources claiming anywhere from 4,000 – 13,170 miles in length.
Fact: Contrary to popular belief the structure is not visible from outer space and is made up from several separate structures.
Fact: The wall was originally built to protect the Chinese states and empires from invaders and raids, but also acts as a useful boarder control.
Petra, Jordan
Petra, which is Greek for “rock,” is also known as “the city in the rock” or “Rose City” due to the colour of the sandstone cliffs it is carved from.
Fact: The huge templates, tombs and monuments were not known to the western world until 1812.
Fact: As well as the impressive rock carved city, Petra has a highly organised water system, which includes ceramic pipes, intricate water channels and cisterns; advanced for a city essentially carved into rocks.
Machu Picchu, Peru
The ancient city if the Incas is located at an altitude of 7,710 feet, between two peaks; Machu Picchu (Old Peak) and Huayna Picchu (New Peak).
Fact: The city was built around 1450 but abandoned due to the Spanish conquest a century later. American historian Hiram Bingham brought Machu Picchu to international attention in 1911.
Fact: The city was home to approximately 1,200 residents at its peak.
The breath-taking man-made structure
Chichén Itza, Mexico
Located in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, Chichén Iyza is a world-famous complex of Mayan ruins which served as a religious, political and economic centre spanning from approximately 800 to 1200.
Fact: The most recognisable step pyramid, known as El Castillo stands at 80 feet high.
Fact: There are four sets of stairs, one on each side of the ruins. Each staircase has 91 steps, if you also include the top platform this equates to 365 in total - one for each day of the year.
Christ the Redeemer Statue, Brazil
The imposing statue is an icon of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil, and has watched over the city since 1931.
Fact: The statue is 130-foot statue has a wingspan of 92 feet. A mix of concrete and soapstone was used to build Christ the Redeemer which weighs in at approximately 700 tonne.
Fact: The easiest way to access the sculpture is via a cogwheel steam engine train up the steep 2.3-mile slope followed by 200 steps.
Colosseum, Italy
The majestic Colosseum was built in Rome in approximately AD70.
Fact: It was used for many years as a stage for gladiator contests, group combats, battle re-enactments and other productions were performed to audiences of between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators.
Fact: Over the years it has undergone structural work and battled the elements and to this date is one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions.
##taj Mahal, India
This stunning ivory-white marble mausoleum was built by Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal (or Mogul) Emperor of India as a memorial to his deceased wife Mumtaz Maha.
Fact: Construction of the Taj Mahal started on 1631 shortly after the passing of the Emperor’s wife and took more than two decades at a cost of 32 million rupees (today’s equivalent of $827 million).
Fact: The Taj Mahal attracts 7–8 million visitors a year.
Great Wall of China
The actual length of great wall is of great debate, with sources claiming anywhere from 4,000 – 13,170 miles in length.
Fact: Contrary to popular belief the structure is not visible from outer space and is made up from several separate structures.
Fact: The wall was originally built to protect the Chinese states and empires from invaders and raids, but also acts as a useful boarder control.
Petra, Jordan
Petra, which is Greek for “rock,” is also known as “the city in the rock” or “Rose City” due to the colour of the sandstone cliffs it is carved from.
Fact: The huge templates, tombs and monuments were not known to the western world until 1812.
Fact: As well as the impressive rock carved city, Petra has a highly organised water system, which includes ceramic pipes, intricate water channels and cisterns; advanced for a city essentially carved into rocks.
Machu Picchu, Peru
The ancient city if the Incas is located at an altitude of 7,710 feet, between two peaks; Machu Picchu (Old Peak) and Huayna Picchu (New Peak).
Fact: The city was built around 1450 but abandoned due to the Spanish conquest a century later. American historian Hiram Bingham brought Machu Picchu to international attention in 1911.
Fact: The city was home to approximately 1,200 residents at its peak.
Comments
Post a Comment