Is The Amazon Rainforest a Wonder of The World?

In the realm of global recognition, certain natural landmarks captivate the human imagination with their sheer scale, beauty, and ecological significance. Following in the footsteps of lists celebrating human-made marvels, a modern initiative sought to identify Earth’s most breathtaking natural masterpieces. In 2011, through a vast public vote organized by the New7Wonders foundation, a definitive list of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World was compiled. This selection aimed to highlight places of unparalleled natural diversity, stunning landscapes, vital ecological roles, and rich historical legacies. Among these esteemed locations, a question often arises: Is The Amazon Rainforest A Wonder Of The World? According to this widely recognized public vote, the answer is a resounding yes, firmly placing this colossal natural system on the list alongside six other spectacular sites. These chosen wonders represent the planet’s incredible natural heritage, inviting intrepid explorers and curious minds alike to discover their unique marvels.

The Chosen Seven Natural Wonders

The 2011 poll, which garnered half a billion votes, selected seven locations that stood out for their exceptional natural qualities. While other lists of natural wonders exist, this particular selection holds the distinction of being chosen by a massive global public. These are the places deemed most worthy of the title “Natural World Wonder” by millions.

1. Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil

Straddling the border between Argentina’s Misiones province and Brazil’s Paraná state, the Iguazu Falls form the world’s largest waterfall system on the Iguazu River. Reaching heights of 82 meters and stretching an astonishing 2,700 meters wide, this immense natural spectacle is a truly awe-inspiring sight. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1984, the falls are surrounded by protected Natural Parks on both sides of the river, preserving the diverse ecosystem.

Iguazu Falls spanning Argentina and Brazil

2. Table Mountain, South Africa

Overlooking Cape Town in South Africa, the iconic Table Mountain is aptly named for its distinctively flat top. This impressive landmark is so central to the region’s identity that it features prominently on the Cape Town flag. The mountain’s level summit spans approximately 3 square kilometers before plunging into dramatic cliffs. During cooler periods, orographic clouds frequently form a “tablecloth” over its peak. Local folklore attributes these clouds to a legendary smoking contest between the Devil and a pirate named Van Hunks, adding a layer of intriguing myth to this geological formation. To learn more about lists of wonders, you might wonder what is the sixth wonder of the world.

Flat-topped Table Mountain overlooking Cape Town

3. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Located in Quảng Ninh Province, Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is a renowned tourist destination celebrated for its unique prehistoric biosystem. This stunning bay is home to an incredible array of roughly 1,960 to 2,000 limestone islets that have emerged and evolved over the past 500 million years. Archaeological evidence suggests that prehistoric humans inhabited this area thousands of years ago. Today, the bay is a haven for biodiversity, supporting 14 endemic floral species and 60 endemic faunal species, making it a remarkable, self-contained ecosystem where nature has sculpted the landscape for millennia. Delve deeper into this specific wonder: is ha long bay a wonder of the world.

Scenic view of limestone karsts in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

4. Amazon River and Rainforest

Few natural areas on Earth are as famous or as vital as the Amazon. Its inclusion in the list of seven natural wonders is no surprise. The vast Amazon Rainforest spans an immense 6.7 million square kilometers, covering nine South American nations: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. It stands as the largest forest in the world. Flowing through this colossal forest is the Amazon River, which boasts the largest discharge of water globally. Ecologists often refer to the Amazon as “the lungs of the world” due to its critical role in generating oxygen and regulating the planet’s climate, underscoring its profound ecological importance. Looking for visuals of these amazing places? You might want to see 7 wonder of the world image.

Aerial view showing the Amazon River cutting through dense rainforest canopy

5. Jeju Island, South Korea

Formed by volcanic activity approximately 2 million years ago during the Cenozoic era, Jeju Island is a volcanic island off the coast of South Korea. Its rugged terrain is largely composed of basalt and lava formations. Covering an area of 1,846 square kilometers, it is South Korea’s largest island. Popular attractions include Hallasan Mountain, a dormant volcano peaking at 1,950 meters above sea level, and the Manjanggul Lava Tube, an 8-kilometer-long cave system that visitors can partially explore.

Coastal view of Jeju Island with volcanic rock formations

6. Komodo Island, Indonesia

Komodo Island is one of the numerous islands that constitute the Republic of Indonesia. It is most famously known as the habitat of the Komodo dragon, the world’s largest living lizard, which derives its name from the island. This relatively small island, covering 390 square kilometers, is home to approximately two thousand human inhabitants who coexist with these powerful reptiles. If you’re fascinated by these sites, check out a 7th wonder of the world photo.

7. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, Philippines

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, also known as the PP Underground River, flows through a protected national park in the Philippines. This unique river runs through a large domed cave system inhabited by various marine creatures and bats. Exploration inside the cavern is limited due to the risk of severe oxygen deprivation, adding an element of both danger and mystique. This challenging yet captivating environment contributes to its status as a standout among the seven natural wonders. Find visual representations of extraordinary places like this one, the 2st wonder of the world.

Boat navigating the entrance of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River cave

Preserving Earth’s Natural Masterpieces

From the thundering cascades of Iguazu Falls to the mysterious depths of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River and the vastness of the Amazon, these natural wonders are truly spectacular sights. Their selection by a global public vote adds a layer of cultural significance, highlighting which natural locations resonate most deeply with people around the world. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these sites are crucial for maintaining biodiversity, ecological balance, and global environmental health. Protecting these wonders, along with other breathtaking natural environments worldwide, is essential for ensuring their sustainability and longevity for future generations to appreciate and benefit from.

Photograph of Table Mountain under clouds

Other Natural World Wonders: Finalists

The final list of seven natural wonders was chosen from a pool of 28 impressive finalists. These other 21 natural spectacles, while not making the top seven in the 2011 vote, are nonetheless spectacular and worthy of recognition.

• Angel Falls, Venezuela: The world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall.
• Bay of Fundy, Canada: Known for the highest tidal range globally.
• Black Forest, Germany: A densely wooded mountain range with unique geology.
• Bu Tinah, United Arab Emirates: A tiny archipelago rich in biodiversity within a marine biosphere reserve.
• Cliffs of Moher, Ireland: Dramatic sea cliffs rising hundreds of meters above the Atlantic.
• Dead Sea, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine: The lowest elevation on land and one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water.
• El Yunque, Puerto Rico: The only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest System.
• Galápagos Islands, Ecuador: Volcanic islands famed for endemic species and their role in Darwin’s theory of evolution.
• Gobustan National Park, Azerbaijan: Known for rock art, mud volcanoes, and ancient carvings.
• Grand Canyon, United States: A colossal canyon carved by the Colorado River, exposing billions of years of geological history.
• Great Barrier Reef, Australia: The world’s largest coral reef system, visible from space.
• Jeita Grotto, Lebanon: An interconnected system of karstic limestone caves.
• Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: Africa’s highest mountain, known for its shrinking glaciers.
• Maldives: A South Asian island country composed of 26 atolls, one of the world’s most geographically dispersed countries.
• The Matterhorn, Switzerland and Italy: A huge, near-symmetrical pyramidal peak in the Alps.
• Masurian Lake District, Poland: A region famous for thousands of lakes formed by glaciers.
• Milford Sound, New Zealand: A fiord often called the eighth Wonder of the World.
• Mount Vesuvius, Italy: A stratovolcano known for its 79 CE eruption that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum.
• Sundarbans, Bangladesh: The world’s largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest, home to the Bengal tiger.
• Uluru, Australia: A large sandstone formation sacred to the Aboriginal people, surrounded by springs and ancient paintings.
• Yushan, Chinese Taipei: The highest mountain in Chinese Taipei, known for its snow-capped peak.

These finalists, alongside the official seven, underscore the incredible natural beauty and diversity our planet holds, offering countless opportunities for wonder and exploration.