Chichen Itza in Yucatan, Mexico
Chichen Itza is located about 90 miles from the coast in the
northern Yucatan peninsula. The archaeological site has
temples, palaces, and other important buildings. All the
buildings at Chichen Itza are made out of stone. Visitors are
not allowed to climb the stairs of the Castillo anymore in
order to better preserve the monument.
Christ Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This statue of Jesus stands some 125 feet tall, atop the Corcovado
mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. It is one of the world’s bestknown monuments. The statue took five years to build and was
introduced on October 12, 1931. It has become a symbol of the city
and of the warmth of the Brazilian people, who receive visitors with
open arms.
Colosseum in Rome, Italy
At least 50,000 spectators could sit in the Colosseum of ancient
Rome. Today, performances are still held outside the enormous
theater. The Colosseum was built between 70 and 82 AD. Much
of the Colosseum has deteriorated or fallen apart, but efforts are
being made to preserve the structure. The ancient amphitheater
is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions.
The Taj Mahal
Built in 1648, the Taj Mahal in Agra, India is a masterpiece of Muslim
architecture, but its future is uncertain. Some 20,000 workers spent twenty-two
years building the glistening white Taj Mahal. Made entirely of marble, the
structure was designed as a burial site for a favorite wife of the emperor, Shah
Jahan. Mughal architecture is characterized by harmony, balance, and
geometry. Beautifully symmetrical, each element of the Taj Mahal is
independent, yet perfectly integrated with the structure as a whole. The master
architect was Ustad Isa.
Great Wall of China
No one is sure exactly how long the Great Wall of China is. Many say
that the Great Wall is about 3,700 miles long . The Great Wall is not
actually a single wall, but a series of disconnected walls. Snaking along
the hills in the southern part of the Mongolian plain, the Great Wall (or
Walls) were built over centuries, beginning as early as 500 BC. During
the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), many walls were joined and re-enforced
for greater strength. In places, the massive walls are as tall as 29.5 feet.
Petra, Jordan
People have been living in Petra,
Jordan for a very long time. The very
beautiful desert city of Petra, Jordan
was home to people that no longer
exist. Petra's location between the
Red Sea and the Dead Sea made it an
important center for buying and
selling where Arabian incense,
Chinese silks, and Indian spices were
traded. Today, Petra is one of the
world's largest and most important
archaeological sites.
Machu Picchu in Peru
In the fifteenth century, the Inca built the small city of Machu
Picchu in a ridge between two mountain peaks. Beautiful and
far away, the buildings were built of finely cut white granite
blocks. No mortar was used. Because Machu Picchu is so
difficult to reach, this legendary city of the Inca was almost lost
to explorers.
Information in this PowerPoint was taken from the website below
http://architecture.about.com/od/greatbuildings/ig/New-Wonders/Machu_Picchu-lge-ariel.htm