The Provisional New 7 Wonders of Nature
Amazon: South America
The Amazon Rainforest, also known as Amazonia, the Amazon jungle or the
Amazon Basin, encompasses seven million square kilometers (1.7 billion
acres), though the forest itself occupies some 5.5 million square
kilometers (1.4 billion acres), located within nine nations. The Amazon
represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforests and comprises
the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rainforest in the
world. The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by volume,
with a total flow greater than the top ten rivers worldwide combined. It
accounts for approximately one-fifth of the total world river flow and
has the biggest drainage basin on the planet. Not a single bridge
crosses the Amazon.
Halong Bay: Vietnam
Halong Bay is located in Quáng Ninh province, Vietnam. The bay features
thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. The
bay has a 120 kilometre long coastline and is approximately 1,553
square kilometres in size with 1969 islets. Several of the islands are
hollow, with enormous caves, other support floating villages of
fishermen, who ply the shallow waters for 200 species of fish and 450
different kinds of mollusks. Another specific feature of Halong Bay is
the abundance of lakes inside the limestone islands, for example, Dau Be
island has six enclosed lakes. All these island lakes occupy drowned
dolines within fengcong karst.
Iguazu Falls: Argentina / Brazil
Iguazu Falls, in Iguazu River, are one of the world's largest
waterfalls. They extend over 2,700 m (nearly 2 miles) in a
semi-circular shape. Of the 275 falls that collectively make up Iguassu
Falls, "Devil's Throat" is the tallest at 80 m in height. Iguazu Falls
are on the border between the Brazilian state of Paraná and the
Argentine province of Misiones, and are surrounded by two National Parks
(BR/ARG). Both are subtropical rainforests that are host to hundreds of
rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.
Jeju Island: South Korea
Jejudo is a volcanic island, 130 km from the southern coast of Korea.
The largest island and smallest province in Korea, the island has a
surface area of 1,846 sqkm. A central feature of Jeju is Hallasan, the
tallest mountain in South Korea and a dormant volcano, which rises 1,950
m above sea level. 360 satellite volcanoes are around the main volcano.
The Amazon Rainforest, also known as Amazonia, the Amazon jungle or the
Amazon Basin, encompasses seven million square kilometers (1.7 billion
acres), though the forest itself occupies some 5.5 million square
kilometers (1.4 billion acres), located within nine nations. The Amazon
represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforests and comprises
the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rainforest in the
world. The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by volume,
with a total flow greater than the top ten rivers worldwide combined. It
accounts for approximately one-fifth of the total world river flow and
has the biggest drainage basin on the planet. Not a single bridge
crosses the Amazon.Halong Bay: Vietnam
Halong Bay is located in Quáng Ninh province, Vietnam. The bay features
thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. The
bay has a 120 kilometre long coastline and is approximately 1,553
square kilometres in size with 1969 islets. Several of the islands are
hollow, with enormous caves, other support floating villages of
fishermen, who ply the shallow waters for 200 species of fish and 450
different kinds of mollusks. Another specific feature of Halong Bay is
the abundance of lakes inside the limestone islands, for example, Dau Be
island has six enclosed lakes. All these island lakes occupy drowned
dolines within fengcong karst.Iguazu Falls: Argentina / Brazil
Iguazu Falls, in Iguazu River, are one of the world's largest
waterfalls. They extend over 2,700 m (nearly 2 miles) in a
semi-circular shape. Of the 275 falls that collectively make up Iguassu
Falls, "Devil's Throat" is the tallest at 80 m in height. Iguazu Falls
are on the border between the Brazilian state of Paraná and the
Argentine province of Misiones, and are surrounded by two National Parks
(BR/ARG). Both are subtropical rainforests that are host to hundreds of
rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.Jeju Island: South Korea
Jejudo is a volcanic island, 130 km from the southern coast of Korea.
The largest island and smallest province in Korea, the island has a
surface area of 1,846 sqkm. A central feature of Jeju is Hallasan, the
tallest mountain in South Korea and a dormant volcano, which rises 1,950
m above sea level. 360 satellite volcanoes are around the main volcano.
Komodo: Indonesia
Indonesia's Komodo National Park includes the three larger islands
Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller ones, for a total
area of 1,817 square kilometers (603 square kilometers of it land). The
national park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon. Later,
it was also dedicated to protecting other species, including marine
animals. The islands of the national park are of volcanic origin.
Puerto Princesa Underground River: Philippines
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50
km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. It
features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable
underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it
winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea.
It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several
large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal
influences. The underground river is reputed to be the world's longest.
At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees
growing right to the water's edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and
squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave.
Table Mountain: South Africa
Table Mountain is a South African icon and the only natural site on the
planet to have a constellation of stars named after it - Mensa, meaning
"the table." The flat-topped mountain has withstood six million years of
erosion and hosts the richest, yet smallest floral kingdom on earth
with over 1,470 floral species. Table Mountain boasts numerous rare and
endangered species. It is the most recognized site in Cape Town, the
gateway to Africa, owing to its unique flat-topped peaks which reach
1,086 m above sea level.
Indonesia's Komodo National Park includes the three larger islands
Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller ones, for a total
area of 1,817 square kilometers (603 square kilometers of it land). The
national park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon. Later,
it was also dedicated to protecting other species, including marine
animals. The islands of the national park are of volcanic origin.Puerto Princesa Underground River: Philippines
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50
km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. It
features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable
underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it
winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea.
It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several
large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal
influences. The underground river is reputed to be the world's longest.
At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees
growing right to the water's edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and
squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave.Table Mountain: South Africa
Table Mountain is a South African icon and the only natural site on the
planet to have a constellation of stars named after it - Mensa, meaning
"the table." The flat-topped mountain has withstood six million years of
erosion and hosts the richest, yet smallest floral kingdom on earth
with over 1,470 floral species. Table Mountain boasts numerous rare and
endangered species. It is the most recognized site in Cape Town, the
gateway to Africa, owing to its unique flat-topped peaks which reach
1,086 m above sea level.
source: www.new7wonders.com