New Seven Wonders of the World Named

With the exception of the pyramids at Giza, the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are so much dust blowing in the wind. The most amazing manmade architectural constructions of antiquity, the seven wonders once regaled Greek sightseers. (You can still read their graffiti near the pyramids in Egypt!)

While other seven wonders lists have appeared over time, the classic Mediterranean sights selected by the ancient Greeks are revered as the traditional Wonders of the World. Time, fire and earthquakes have demolished the storied Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the immense Colossus of Rhodes, the towering Lighthouse of Alexandria, and the others. Only the Great Pyramid at Giza in Egypt, built from 2650 to 2500 BC, remains standing today.

Over the centuries, other feats of human engineering have been awarded World Wonders status, including Stonehenge, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa. More recently the American Society of Civil Engineers compiled a list of modern wonders that include the Channel Tunnel under the Strait of Dover, the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Panama Canal.

The search for the recently released New Seven Wonders of the World was initiated in 2001 by the Swiss New Open World Corporation. From a list of 200 monuments, 21 finalists were announced in January 2006 and put to a global internet vote. While some may argue with the selections -- Stonehenge and the Easter Island monoliths didn't make the cut -- the seven new sites chosen are truly deserving of man's admiration. In deference to its inclusion in the original list of Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids at Giza are included again as an honorary, eighth, wonder.

The winners are:

• Colosseum in Italy
• Taj Mahal in India
• Petra in Jordan
• Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil
• Manchu Picchu in Peru
• Pyramid at Chichen Itza in Mexico
• Great Wall of China
• Pyramids at Giza in Egypt

At County Stamp Center you can find stamps commemorating many of the Seven Wonders of the World. The stunning stamp of the Taj Mahal (above left) was issued in 2005 by India (click here to order). The ethereal depiction of the Great Wall of China (above right) was issued in 2005 by the People's Republic of China (click here to order).

County Stamp Center is among a select international group of foreign stamp new issuers. For US stamp collectors, we are your first source for foreign stamps. We can help you find the issue you need for your collection or appraise and sell your foreign stamps. Visit our website for complete details and to view our extensive collection of foreign stamps. Come to County Stamp Center for all your philatelic needs.