The Seven Wonders of the World

The Original Seven Wonders of the World: for the history buffs 

1. The Colossus of Rhodes: An incredible feat of Greek engineering, this 100-foot-tall statue of the sun god Helios once guarded the Mandraki Harbor in Rhodes, Greece before an earthquake in 226 B.C. brought it crashing down. 

2. The Great Pyramid of Giza: Located in Egypt, the Great Pyramid is the only wonder still standing from the original seven wonders. The massive structure is home to three burial chambers and held the title of “tallest building ever built” for more than 3,800 years. 

3. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon: This combination of temples, palaces, walls and streets featured a variety of trees, vegetation, and flowers to resemble a mountain. Located in modern-day Iraq, the Hanging Gardens were constructed around 600 B.C. as a gift to the King’s wife. Whether or not the Hanging Gardens actually existed still remains a mystery. 

4. The Lighthouse of Alexandria: The prototype for today’s lighthouses, the Lighthouse of Alexandria was built in Egypt in 280 B.C. It served many functions, from a light to a military lookout. Unfortunately, the remains of this great structure were used to build a medieval fort in 1375.  

5. The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: Located in modern-day Turkey, The Mausoleum was built as a tomb for the king in 350 B.C. Among several elaborate decorations, the structure featured a statue of the king and queen riding in a chariot. The Mausoleum was destroyed in 1522 A.D. by Crusaders. 

6. The Statue of Zeus at Olympia: This 50-foot-tall statue featured the Greek god Zeus on a large throne. It was created from ivory, wood, bronze, and gold. The structure left its visitors in awe for over 800 years before being lost to history.  

7. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus: Originally the temple, which was attributed to the goddess Artemis, was built alongside the River Ephesus around 800 B.C. It was moved and rebuilt several times before ultimately losing to the rise of Christianity in 268 A.D. John Turtle Wood unearthed the remains of the temple in 1863 and sent them to a British museum, where they can be seen today.  

The Natural Seven Wonders of the World: for the outdoor junkies

1. The Grand Canyon: Formed by the Colorado River in the state of Arizona, the Grand Canyon has been named one of the seven wonders for its cultural significance and breathtaking beauty. 

2. The Great Barrier Reef: Located off the coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is known for its natural beauty and vast diversity of marine life. Its 900 islands and 2,900 smaller reefs can even be seen from space! 

3. The Harbor at Rio de Janeiro: Also called Guanabara Bay, the Harbor provides both natural beauty and rich culture. The Harbor runs 20 miles inland, making it the largest deep-water harbor in the world. The bay is over 80 miles long with 50 miles of beaches.  

4. Mount Everest: The highest peak on Earth at 29,029 feet, Mount Everest sits within the Himalaya Mountain Range in Nepal. The rugged terrain and natural beauty of the mountain have attracted explorers throughout history.  

5. The Northern Lights: Scientifically known as aurora borealis, this naturally colorful lightshow can be seen in various locations around the globe. Canada, Alaska, and Antartica are where you’ll have the most luck. For more information, visit NASA’s website (Aurora | NASA).  

6. The Paricutin Volcano: Located in Mexico and standing at 1,390 feet, the Paricutin Volcano is one of the youngest volcanoes in North America. Known for its activity in the early 1900s, thousands of hikers and horseback riders explore this natural wonder each year. 

7. Victoria Falls: The Victoria Falls, or “the smoke that thunders,” can be found on the Zambezi River in southern Africa. Victoria Falls is about 5,600 feet across with a 100-meter drop with mist that can be seen from up to 131 feet away! The Falls is usually paired with a rainbow, which can sometimes even be seen at night. 

The Modern Seven Wonders of the World: for the engineering nerds 

1. Channel Tunnel: Also known as “the Chunnel,” this train connects England and France with the lengthiest undersea section of all the tunnels in the world. 

2. CN Tower: The 1,815.4 foot tall tower was once the tallest building in the world and serves as one of Canada’s main tourist attractions.  

3. Empire State Building: Standing at 1,250 feet, the Empire State Building has become a symbol of New York City for its design.  

4. Golden Gate Bridge: Once the longest suspension bridge in the world at 4,200 feet, this famous red bridge can be found on almost every San Francisco postcard. 

5. Itaipu Dam: Also known as “the sounding stone,” this hydroelectric facility uses water from the Parana River to generate more energy than any other dam on the planet. This 25,981-foot wide and 643-foot-tall structure is located between Paraguay and Brazil. 

6. Delta Works: Also referred to as the Netherlands North Sea Protection Works, this project is designed to protect over 30% of the country's land from the sea. Although it’s not finished yet, it’s considered to be quite impressive. 

7. Panama Canal: Located in Panama, the canal links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to shed 8,000 miles of travel time. The canal spans 48 miles and can take up to 30 hours to pass through.

It's clear that there are a lot of things to see and do! Before heading out to check each list of Seven Wonders off of your bucket list, be sure to prepare for the unexpected. Travel insurance can protect you when traveling to new destinations outside of the U.S. where your usual medical insurance may not apply. Explore each of the coverage options provided by Seven Corners to ensure you are safe on your trip and have what you need in the event of a cancellation or a medical emergency.