We’ve all heard of the Seven Wonders of the World, the manmade ones that is. But did you know there is a list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World?
Natural wonders of the world are natural phenomena that are considered to be the most magnificent sites on earth. The natural wonder is a subjective concept, which means there can’t be an objective list. This article will list seven natural wonders in alphabetical order and also describe what makes them so extraordinary.
These seven wonders, which I saw during a recent trip to South Africa and Lebanon, are on my bucket list as a result of my experiences last year in Kruger National Park and the Jeita Grotto.
How Does a Place Become a Natural World Wonder?
The natural wonders of the world are breathtaking natural phenomena that can’t be found anywhere else on Earth. To become one of the seven natural wonders, there are a few things to keep in mind while preserving its location and natural state.
For example, it’s usually necessary for the geographical site to have at least 100 square miles of the pristine natural property so it can’t belong to any one country or economic business venture.
The natural wonder should also naturally occur over time instead of being man-made or requiring substantial maintenance once established.
Finally, any natural sites which were created by the human activity should not be considered ‘natural’ because they require upkeep, significant modification or the use of manufactured materials which generally excludes them from consideration among world wonders!
Guidelines for Wonders of the World
These guidelines have been set in place by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which is an international organization that oversees natural conservation.
The IUCN World Heritage Committee meets every two years to discuss natural sites around the world that may be potential candidates for natural world wonder status and, if they meet the criteria, inscribes them on the natural world wonder list.
Currently, there are 7 natural wonders of the world. However, natural wonders are expected to be re-evaluated every 10–20 years because natural conditions change over time in the natural world and many naturally occurring phenomena can be rarely seen by human beings.
Many natural wonders are also part of larger natural parks or natural landforms that often border more than one country.
For example, Mount Everest is not only part of Nepal but it’s also claimed by China because it sits on the border between the two countries!
Similarly, although Puerto Princesa Underground River is located in the Philippines, it also extends into neighboring Malaysia.
As natural wonders are nominated and assessed by the IUCN World Heritage Committee, it’s important to remember that these natural sites are not only beautiful to behold but they’re also incredibly fragile.
Many natural wonders have been damaged by humans through poaching, pollution, or development and it’s up to us to protect these natural treasures for future generations!
If they can hold the top spots of all-natural wonders they must surely be nothing but incredible.
List of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World
Northern Lights
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis or the dancing lights, are a natural phenomenon that is primarily observable in the northern hemisphere.
However, they can also be found in the south. They are natural lights that resemble dancing, sparkling waves and may be observed only at night in Norway’s northern counties, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Canada during the spring and fall seasons.
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Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a wonderful national park and was once created by the Colorado River and is now a massive gorge in Arizona, US. The canyon is on the list of natural wonders because of its picturesque and colorful landscape.
The Grand Canyon is a natural wonder because it was formed from the Colorado River. The Colorado River, which is over 1,450 miles (2.333 kilometers) long, has been carving out the Grand Canyon for around 6 million years. The Colorado River flows through the canyon and exits at Lake Mead.
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Mount Everest
Mount Everest is located in the Himalayan mountain range which borders China, Nepal and Tibet.
Mount Everest is a natural phenomenon that is located in the Himalayas. Gaining popularity from the recent movies about this natural wonder, most people have wanted to visit it and have tried to climb it just once in their lifetime.
Mount Everest is a mountain and natural wonder that has caused many deaths and injuries on those who dared to climb it.
It is the highest mountain in the world and represents the highest spot on earth.
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Victoria Falls
The Victoria Falls is a natural wonder situated on the Zambezi River in Africa. They are wide, but it’s possible to walk across them when they’re at their smallest, so it’s worth visiting twice – once at each end of the dry season, for totally different views.
The falls are also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, which means ‘the smoke that thunders’.
Victoria Falls is located at the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia and is the largest waterfall in the world because of its width.
It was first discovered by the Scottish explorer David Livingstone in 1855, which is why you can find a bronze statue of him near the falls.
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Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef stretches along the northeastern coast of Australia and is the largest coral reef system in the world. The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system and is composed of over 2,900 individual reefs. It’s located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world because it is the largest coral reef system. The reef system is also made up of over 2900 reefs and it is located in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland in Australia.
It consists of over 2,900 separate reefs, includes over 900 small islands and supports one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet.
It can even be seen from space!
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Paricutin Volcano
The Paricutin volcano is located in the state of Michoacan, Mexico. The volcano is unique in that it is the youngest volcano in America. The volcano was also named as one of the natural wonders of the world because it was born in front of human eyes.
The first year of the volcano’s life, it grew three-fourths of its size. However, since 1952, the volcano has been dormant.
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Harbour of Rio de Janeiro
The Guanabara Bay is located in the northeast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It has been created by natural erosion from the Atlantic Ocean. The bay is about 875 km long, 40 km wide, and 16 meters deep. It is also referred to as “harbor” because it accommodates the natural channel between the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and those of Rio de Janeiro bay.
Guanabara Bay is considered to be the largest natural harbor in the world because of its volume of water mainly contributed by Rio das Ostras tributary that enters into the Bay through Guaratiba bay. The natural beauty of the Bay makes it a natural wonder and a must-see site for every tourist.
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