Seven Wonders of the World

The Seven Natural Wonders is an organization created to protect and promote the natural wonders of the world. There also exist lists of ancient and manmade wonders.

What are the Seven Natural Wonders of the World?

1. Aurora Borealis

Leading off the list is the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, which can best be seen in high-latitude regions such as far northern Canada, Alaska and Scandinavia.

2. The Grand Canyon

Next on the list is the Grand Canyon, which was carved out by the Colorado River in Arizona. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and at some points as much as 18 miles wide, with a maximum depth of 6,093 feet. Carved out by nearly two billion years of geologic history, the Canyon is a must-see for any intrepid traveler.

3. Paricutin

Paricutin takes third place on the list, despite its remote location in Michoacan, Mexico, roughly 200 miles west of Mexico City. The volcano surged quite suddenly from the cornfield of local farmer Dionisio Pulido in 1943, attracting both popular and scientific attention. When the volcano erupted, it took the lives of three people and forced the permanent evacuation of two towns.

4. Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is fourth on the list, which can best be witnessed from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Livingston in Zambia. Helicopter tours and microlight tours make the falls a sight to be seen and felt in person, although the rainy season can be uncomfortable, which runs from late November through early April.

5. Mount Everest

Mount Everest is fifth on the list, and while mountaineers consider this 29,029 foot mountain to be the highest place on Earth, the real winner for that award belongs to Mauna Kea in Hawaii.

6. Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef holds sixth place on the natural wonders list, which is made up of over 900 islands and nearly 3,000 separate and independent reefs. Sustaining one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, visitors can snorkel or scuba dive the reefs to take in a dizzying array of colorful fish, corals and marine life.

7. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Last but not least is the harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which is surrounded by granite mountains and pinnacles, including Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak and the Tijuca Hills, making the seven natural wonders of the world a natural bucket list for adventure-seekers everywhere.