After announcing the “New 7 Wonders of the World” in 2007, the New 7 Wonders Foundation began worldwide voting to select the “New 7 Wonders of Nature,” a list of the seven most incredible natural wonders of the modern world. Voting ended on Nov. 11, when the following preliminary winners were announced: Amazon Rainforest (South America), Halong Bay (Vietnam), Iguazu Falls (Argentina/Brazil), Jeju Island (South Korea), Komodo (Indonesia), Puerta Princesa Subterranean River (Philippines), and Table Mountain (South Africa).
The massive Amazon River basin, which contains more than half of the world’s remaining rainforest, covers parts of Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela. Not a single bridge crosses this incredible river, but a number of tour operators can help you experience it.
In Vietnam, scenic Halong Bay features thousands of limestone islands, karst fields and slender fingers of stone that project from the water like small mountain peaks. Some of the islands are virtually hollow, with intriguing caves; others are dotted with lakes.
Straddling the border between Argentina and Brazil, Iguazu Falls is an absolutely stunning set of 275 waterfalls extending nearly two miles in a graceful semi-circle. It’s a remote location, but there is much to see: national parks on either side of the falls are home to hundreds of rare animals and plants. Plus, with nearby airports on both sides, its remote location puts the falls within an easier reach from places like Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.
Jeju Island is both the largest island and smallest province in Korea, where the dormant volcano Hallasan rises to 6,400 feet, with hundreds of satellite volcanoes around it. There are waterfalls, a lovely crater lake, and lava tubes to explore.
In Indonesia, Komodo National Park was founded in 1980 to protect the unique Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard. It’s a haven for other species as well, including monitor lizards, Timor deer, water buffalo, macaques and a variety of marine life, including whale sharks, blue-ringed octopus and pygmy seahorses.
In the Philippines, Puerta Princesa Subterranean River is believed to be one of the world’s longest underground rivers. Its five-mile-long waterway passes through spectacular chambers before emptying into the South China Sea.
South Africa’s majestic Table Mountain still rises 3,562 feet above Cape Town, even after six million years of erosion. Visitors may ascend via foot or cable car for panoramic views and a look at the mountain’s surprisingly diverse flora, including some plant species found nowhere else on earth.
Clearly, any of these wondrous locations can be the centerpiece of a thrilling vacation. Talk with your travel professional about which of the New 7 Wonders of Nature you would most like to visit.
Click here to read about the Top 5 International Travel Destinations in 2011
Click here to read about the Top 5 U.S. Travel Destinations in 2011
This travel column was written by BlueRibbonNews.com special contributor Robbert van Bloemendaal, an experienced world traveler, native of Australia, an Ambassador with the Rowlett Chamber of Commerce, and president of Travel Leaders of Rowlett.
To submit your news and events or a guest column on your area of expertise, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.
Discover seven new wonders of nature added by Editor on
View all posts by Editor →