Taj Mahal in India – The Taj Mahal, the famous monument in Agra,
India, was constructed between 1630 and 1648 by shah Jahan, the Muslim leader
of India, as memorial to his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The overall effect of
the Taj Mahal is one of the complete tranquility. Although its bulbous dome
stands more than 250 feet high, the entire structure appears weightless and
light and elegant. The sheer white marble surfaces of the building shimmer in
the reflecting pool, glowing under the balloon like dome.
Colosseum in Italy - The Roman Colosseum was built between AD 70
and 80, and it was in used for gladiatorial events, battle reenactments, animal
hunts and other performances for 500 years. The Colosseum sat nearly 50,000
spectators, and its design still influences the construction of modern-day
amphitheaters. Earthquakes and stone-robbers have left the Colosseum in a state
of ruin, but portions of the structure remain open to tourists. At the
Colosseum, the ancient Romans enjoyed gladiatorial combat, horse races, naval
demonstrations and other, more gruesome spectacles. Even in its ruined state,
the Colosseum remains an impressive monument.
Great Wall of China - The Great Wall of China sprawls some 1500
miles across the Asian continent. The emperor Shih Huang Pi began this incredible
project in the fifth century B.C. in the order to keep would be invaders at
bay. A turret in the one of its towers provides a dramatic vista onto the
wall’s expanse.
Christ of Redeemer in Brazil - The Christ the Redeemer
statue stands at the top of the 2,330-foot-tall Corcovado Mountain, looming
over the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The 130-foot-tall statue of Jesus
Christ was completed in 1931 and is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone.
It is one of the largest Art Deco statues in the world, and it weighs in at 2.5
million pounds.
Petra in Jordan - Petra, an archeological city in Jordan, is
known for its dusty pink buildings carved out of rock and its impressive water
conduit system. Built sometime around the 6th century BC, Petra was the capital
city of the Nabataeans. The entrance to the city of Petra is through a narrow
gorge, flanked on either side by 250-foot cliffs. The most recognizable
building in Petra is the Treasury, carved completely out of rock as a tomb for
a Nanataean king. The building's facade stands almost 150 feet high.
Machu Picchu in Peru - Machu Picchu, a
15th-century Inca archaeological site, sits 7,000 feet above sea level in the
Andes Mountains of Peru. It is often referred to as the 'Lost City of the
Incas,' because it was known only to locals until it was discovered in 1911 by
American historian Hiram Bingham.
Itza in Mexico - The main attraction of Chichen Itza is the
pyramid also known as El Castillo. Built sometime between 1000 and 1200, the
pyramid was used as a temple to the god Kukulkan. The powerful city flourished
from AD 800 to 1200 and was a trading center for cloth, slaves, honey and salt.
Archaeologists believe that the pyramid also served as a calendar for the
Mayas. In total it has 365 steps -- one for each day of the year. Chichen Itza
is the largest known city of the Mayan civilization, located in Mexico's
Yucatan Peninsula.
