Seven Natural Wonders of The World

 Seven Natural Wonders of The World

Seven Natural Wonders of The World

The Seven Wonders of the World feature more impressive creations such as the Taj Mahal and the Christ the Redeemer Statue. In the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, such ancient masterpieces as the Temple of Artemis and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are remembered. Still, the Seven Wonders of the Natural World are proof—if the need arises—that Mother Nature is just a talented engineer.

Compiled by CNN and Seven Natural Wonders in 1997, this list spans all seven continents, and includes some of Earth's greatest heights and ocean depths, some lesser-known sites, and some well-known features you may have already visited yourself.

While the sites of the most inspiring Wonders of the World are often disputed, these seven sites are generally agreed upon as among the most breathtaking natural attractions anywhere in the world.

Grand Canyon

The 277-mile-long Grand Canyon is located in Arizona, USA and is truly amazing. The canyon, up to a mile deep and about 18 miles wide at its widest, was shaped over time by the course of the unstoppable Colorado River. Scientists estimate that the river first forged its way over 17 million years ago. While increased safety measures in recent years have prevented visitors from getting as close to the canyon's rim as they wish, the site of the Grand Canyon remains a popular tourist destination for anyone wanting a glimpse of nature at its mightiest and majestic.

Paricutin

Although one of the lesser-known entries on this list, Parícutin is just as impressive as its many well-known attractions. It is an example of a near perfect conical volcano located in Michoacan, Mexico. What sets the Parícutin apart from many others around the world is that modern scholars have been able to observe and document every stage of its life—from creation to extinction—as it happened. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, visiting experts and residents of the area were able to watch the volcano grow from a crack in a cornfield to a mountain peak of 391 feet. It is not expected to erupt again.

Northern lights

Seen in both polar regions of the planet, this stunning light show is aptly referred to as the Northern (or Southern) Lights. Unlike most of the entries on this list, you can view the Northern Lights from many different locations around the world—the higher the latitude, the more likely you are to see them. The Northern Lights effect is caused by charged astronomical particles entering and interacting with Earth's atmosphere, causing bright colors to be painted across the night sky.

Humans have speculated about the cause of this nocturnal nighttime display for centuries, with reference to the lights being found in texts from ancient Greece, in stories from Norse mythology, and sources from medieval England.

Victoria Falls

When the Zambezi River crosses the borders of Zambia and Zimbabwe, its waters descend to a depth of 355 feet to form the stunning Victoria Falls. The waterfall was named in 1855 for the reigning English monarch, Queen Victoria, by Scottish explorer David Livingston during his famous voyage across Africa. The original name Mosi-oa-Tunya - or The Smoke that Thunders - is still in use locally, and in 2013 the Zimbabwean government announced plans to officially rename the falls as such. Victoria Falls is neither the tallest nor the largest waterfall on the planet, but when both features are taken into account, it is considered to be the largest.

Port of Rio de Janeiro

Guanabara Bay is a 19-mile stretch east of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city in Brazil. More than 100 islands lie around the bay, including car-free Paquetá Island and Villegagnon Island, the site of the Brazilian Naval School.

While the Gulf once boasted a vibrant and diverse ecosystem, recent decades have seen the dangers of urbanization taking its toll on this once beautiful environment. Fortunately, the legislation in place ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio makes a provision for the country's government to reinvigorate attempts to return the bay to its former glory. While there are doubts about whether these plans will pan out as expected, locals and environmentalists around the world still hope it's not too late to save this special wonder.

The great Barrier Reef

Consisting of nearly 3,000 individual coral reefs and nearly 1,000 islands spanning 1,400 miles, to understand the sheer size of the Great Barrier Reef, you need to see it to believe it. While the Great Wall of China is often mistakenly described as visible from space, astronauts and satellites have been able to take pictures of the Barrier Reef.

Constructed by billions of tiny organisms called coral polyps, the coral reef is a globally recognized sign of Australia, and a point of pride for Australians the world over. Much work is done each year to ensure that the delicate ecosystem of the coral reef is preserved for future generations; Chief among these efforts is the Great Barrier Reef Park, a conservation designation established in 1975 that aims to protect coral reefs and the species within them.

Mount Everest

Last, but certainly not least, is the highest point in the world. Known as Sagarmāthā in Nepal and Chomolungma in Tibet, Mount Everest is one of the most famous natural monuments in the world. At 2,929 feet, it ranks first among mountains in terms of height and prominence. All five entries below it in the list of world's highest peaks mention the name "Everest" as its main mountain.

The first recorded attempts to scale Mount Everest were in the 1920s by British mountaineers, but it would take more than three decades for Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary to reach the summit in 1953.

Today, climbing Everest isn't the unattainable goal it once was - but those aspiring still have to be in top physical condition, and take great risks to undergo the venture. However, conquering a mountain is still one of man's greatest feats, and it's an extremely popular challenge for anyone really looking to test their mettle.