The new Seven Wonders of the World

The Colossus of Rhodes. The Great Pyramid of Giza. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus. OK, these are starting to sound vaguely familiar. But what are they? The next movie epics to hit the summer screens? Not quite.

These, along with some other spectacular sights make up the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Think of it as a sort of ideal travel itinerary from a long, long, long time ago. In 2007, a new list of natural wonders was recorded for our modern world. What made the list?

Taj Mahal, India

This 42-acre marble mausoleum complex in Agra is a stunning and well-known Indian landmark. Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal (or Mogul) Emperor, built it as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. Construction work, which started shortly after Mahal's passing in 1631, spanned more than two decades. It needed more than 20,000 labourers and cost several million rupees.

Chichén Itza, Mexico

The ancient city of Chichén Itza (pronounced chee-chehn eet-sah) is located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.

This well-known Mayan city served as a religious, political and economic center spanning several hundred years. The Pyramid of Kulkulkán -- also known as El Castillo -- is probably the most recognized ruin of Chichén Itza.

This step pyramid stands approximately 80 feet high. It has nine terraces and four sets of stairs. Each staircase has 91 steps. If you include the top platform as a step, then the pyramid has a total of 365 steps – one for each day of the year!

Christ the Redeemer Statue, Brazil

This statue of Jesus is one of Rio de Janeiro's most widely recognised monuments. It stands 98.5 feet tall atop the summit of Mount Corcovado, which itself rises more than 2,300 feet high. With a hug-like wingspan of 92 feet, the statue seems to both beckon and welcome local residents and visitors alike.

It weighs approximately 700 tons and is made of concrete and soapstone. To see the statue up close, you can ride a cogwheel steam engine train up the steep 2.3-mile slope. Rest up on the ride because at rail's end you have more than 200 steps to climb to get to the foot of the statue.

-Internet

To be continued next week