Is Christ the Redeemer a Wonder of the World? Unpacking the List.
The iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro stands overlooking the city, a globally recognized landmark. It holds a prominent spot on many travelers’ wish lists and photographic collections. However, its inclusion on a specific, modern list of global marvels has sparked debate. When we ask, Is Christ The Redeemer A Wonder Of The World, the answer depends heavily on which list you consult and the criteria used for selection. This article delves into why this statue earned its place on the New7Wonders list and examines the controversy surrounding its selection, especially when compared to other formidable candidates.
What Defines a World Wonder?
The concept of “World Wonders” or “Wonders of the World” has long captured human imagination, signifying sites of extraordinary scale, beauty, or historical significance. Historically, the most famous compilation was The Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. This list, based on the writings of Hellenic scholars, included marvels like the Great Pyramid of Giza (the only one still standing), the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria. In the 21st century, a new initiative called New7Wonders aimed to create a contemporary list of remarkable sites through a global poll. Speaking of different worlds and levels of wonder, you might be interested in exploring mario wonder world 2 levels.
The New Seven Wonders: A Controversial Selection
The New7Wonders list features a diverse array of global landmarks: India’s Taj Mahal, Mexico’s Chichen Itza, Rome’s Colosseum, the Great Wall of China, Peru’s Machu Picchu, Jordan’s Petra, and Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer. While each is undeniably impressive, the inclusion of Christ the Redeemer has often been singled out for scrutiny, prompting many to ask: Is Christ The Redeemer A Wonder Of The World that truly belongs alongside structures like the Great Wall or Machu Picchu?
The Selection Process: More Popularity Contest Than Consensus
Unlike the ancient list, the New7Wonders were selected via a global poll conducted through internet and telephone voting. This methodology, intended to democratize the selection, faced criticism for its susceptibility to repeat voting and the influence of national pride and organized campaigns. The original author notes that Brazil’s large population likely played a significant role in boosting votes for Christ the Redeemer, suggesting its inclusion might be more a testament to an effective public campaign than its inherent global significance when compared to other monumental sites. This voting mechanism is central to the debate around whether is Christ the Redeemer a wonder of the world based on merit or popularity. The author also observes the high entry price to visit the statue, linking it possibly to this “Wonder” status.
Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro, often called a world wonder
A Comparative Look: How Does it Stack Up?
The original article draws sharp comparisons between Christ the Redeemer and the other sites on the New7Wonders list to highlight its point. It describes the impressive scale, ancient history, and complex engineering or profound cultural significance of others: the intricate, star-aligned Chichen Itza; the vast, historical Colosseum; the awe-inspiring, dominating Taj Mahal; the millennia-spanning Great Wall of China (reportedly visible from space); and the ancient city of Petra carved directly into rock faces. In contrast, Christ the Redeemer is noted as the world’s third-largest statue of Jesus, built relatively recently in the early 20th century. Its design and engineering are described as “rather simple.” The article concedes its most remarkable feature is its commanding location atop Corcovado Mountain, offering panoramic views of Rio. However, it argues this single advantage doesn’t elevate it to the same status as the other chosen “Wonders.” Speaking of unlocking special things in worlds, some readers might be interested in how do you unlock the special world in mario wonder.
Notable Absences from the List
To further underscore the author’s critique of the New7Wonders selection process and the question is Christ the Redeemer a wonder of the world compared to other sites, the article points to several globally renowned landmarks that were finalists but did not make the final list. These include iconic structures like the Eiffel Tower, Hagia Sophia, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the Alhambra, the ancient city of Angkor Wat, the Acropolis of Athens, the prehistoric monument Stonehenge, and the historic city of Timbuktu. The exclusion of such sites, while Christ the Redeemer was included, is presented as evidence of the list’s flawed methodology based on popular voting. For those interested in exploring special achievements in different ‘worlds’, learning about all wonder seeds special world might be appealing.
Do We Need Lists of Wonders?
The article concludes by reflecting on the human inclination to categorize and rank the world’s marvels. The author suggests it’s a “fallacy of the human condition” that we need lists instead of simply appreciating the vast number of wonderful sites that exist. The reliance on popular voting, particularly from individuals who may not have visited the sites they are voting on, is criticized as potentially leading to skewed results. The article views the New7Wonders poll, and subsequent initiatives like the 7 Natural Wonders and new lists of “wonder cities,” as potentially diluting the concept and serving as mere campaigns. The ultimate takeaway presented is that the controversy around questions like is Christ the Redeemer a wonder of the world based on this list highlights a broader issue: perhaps such popularity-based lists of “Wonders” should not exist at all. For a different kind of challenging world, consider looking into mario wonder special world w3.
Conclusion: A Wonder by Vote
For those who enjoy mastering challenges, perhaps like perfecting a mario wonder special world jump, understanding the challenges in ranking global marvels is equally intriguing. In summary, when asking is Christ the Redeemer a wonder of the world, the answer is formally “yes” according to the New7Wonders list, a result of a global popularity poll. However, as this analysis, reflecting the original author’s perspective, highlights, the method of selection is debatable, leading to arguments that sites perhaps more historically significant, structurally complex, or ancient were unfairly overlooked. The statue’s inclusion serves as a case study in the impact of public campaigns and the nature of popularity contests versus inherent historical or architectural merit when defining global “Wonders.” Ultimately, the discussion around Christ the Redeemer’s status on this particular list prompts a larger consideration about the necessity and validity of such ranked compilations.