GENEVA, Jan. 6, 2009
Voting On Nature's New 7 Wonders Underway
Swiss Non-Profit Pushes For Public Input On The World's Most Wondrous Sites
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Photo
Mount Everest will vie with more than 200 other spectacular places in the next phase of the global competition for the New 7 Wonders of Nature, organizers say. (AP)
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Photo Essay
Grand View
A new glass-bottom observation deck lets tourists gaze deep into the Grand Canyon.
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Photo Essay
Silver and Cold
See the icy landscape of Mount Everest and the events marking the 50th anniversary of the first climb to its summit.
The 261 nominees from 222 countries include some of the most famous mountain peaks, lakes, and other attractions, such as the Great Barrier Reef and Niagara Falls.
Over a billion people are expected to join in Internet voting that will nominate 77 semifinalists for the top natural wonders, which will share in the glory already enjoyed by the seven man-made wonders chosen 18 months ago.
"We are calling on people all over the world to actively show their appreciation for our ... natural world by joining together to celebrate the most extraordinary sites on our planet," said Tia Viering, spokeswoman of the New 7 Wonders campaign.
The Swiss-based nonprofit foundation collected 441 nominations over the Internet since it opened the selection process in 2007.
The foundation then chose the top vote-getter from each country, making a list of 222 sites. The overall list rose to 261 with the inclusion of sites shared by two or more countries - such as Niagara Falls and Lake Superior between Canada and the United States, and the Matterhorn, between Switzerland and Italy.
Votes can be cast until July 7. Registration on the Web site aims to prevent people from voting twice.
The quarterfinalists include some lesser known sites, such as Yasur Volcano on the south Pacific island of Vanuatu or Nigeria's Zuma Rock, a giant monolith in the middle of the African country.
A panel of experts in nature, chaired by Federico Mayor, former chief of UNESCO, the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, will reduce the list to 21 finalists in July.
The seven winners will then be chosen in another round of public voting lasting until 2011, this time by Internet, telephone and text messages.
Around 100 million people voted in the selection of the seven man-made wonders. The winners were the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt; the Colosseum, Italy; the Great Wall of China; the Taj Mahal, India; Petra, Jordan; Christ the Redeemer Statue, Brazil; Machu Picchu, Peru; and the Pyramid at Chichen Itza, Mexico.
"The enthusiasm for the campaign, which brought culture out of dusty corners and back to life on front pages, TV screens and computers everywhere, crossed all social and economic lines," said Viering. "Everyone from schoolchildren to entrepreneurs eagerly participated."
Choosing world wonders has been a continuing fascination over the centuries. UNESCO keeps updating its list of World Heritage Sites, which now totals 878 places.
The New 7 Wonders campaign led by Swiss adventurer Bernard Weber aims to promote cultural diversity by supporting, preserving and restoring monuments and natural sites. It relies on private donations and revenue from selling broadcasting rights.
© MMIX The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Great Barrier Reef
Mud Volcanos
The Observatory Cave
The Amazon River/Rain Forest
The Coral Triangle
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------------------------------- Posted by rf35
Mud Volcano?
I had one of those for dessert at Friday`s, they are YUMMY!
Posted by DaVicar3 at 09:05 AM : Jan 07, 2009
Mud volcano is just another name for a n u s. Just thought someone should let you know before you tell us everything.
Great Barrier Reef
Mud Volcanos
The Observatory Cave
The Amazon River/Rain Forest
The Coral Triangle
The Great Rift Valley
The Grand Canyon
------------------------------- Posted by rf35
Mud Volcano?
I had one of those for dessert at Friday`s, they are YUMMY!
Posted by DaVicar3 at 09:05 AM : Jan 07, 2009
Mud volcano is just another name for a n u s. Just thought someone should let you know before you tell us everything.
Posted by CBSNews55 at 09:07 AM : Jan 07, 2009
We`re not really interested in your pet name for your buttocks.
Posted by DaVicar3 at 09:12 AM : Jan 07, 2009
LOL!! Nice cherry-picking skillz there son. As you can see, like most of your replies on this site, it doesn''t make much sense when put back into context.
Typical neopubtard!
YOU ARE BOTH STUPID AND SPOUTING ABOUT THINGS NO ONES CARES TO UNDERSTAND.
GROW UP IDIOTS....YOU ARE FIGHTING ABOUT THINGS THAT IN THE WORLD TODAY DON''T MATTER.
MY IQ DROPPED JUST READING YOUR RANTINGS.
Now, it says voting on "Nature''s" New 7 Wonders. I don''t call the "Taj Mahal" part of nature. Do you?
A human being is more part of "nature" than a building.
So I think AJMarine should be part of the 7 wonders.:)
Posted by erasmus606 at 04:45 PM : Jan 07, 2009
Going to start embrassing me already eh?
I just wanted to say I have been getting your emails and we need to start fresh so we know where we are at. Just send part 3 and wait till you hear from me,.... OK you beautiful Irish Wench you?
Oh, by the way, I don''''t call the "Taj Mahal" part of nature either.
Posted by AJMarine111 at 04:52 PM : Jan 07, 2009
You are so very sweet.:)
I sent part 3.
Yeah, see, I don''t call these things part of nature. There should be two different categories, nature and..... NOT nature.
Posted by erasmus606 at 05:02 PM : Jan 07, 2009
Never got it.
Posted by erasmus606 at 05:06 PM : Jan 07, 2009
That''s why I put Canada on my list.
I just got this e-mail, right now. How long ago did you send it?
Posted by AJMarine111 at 05:10 PM : Jan 07, 2009
I got your message about getting part 2, looong after I sent it.
Posted by erasmus606 at 05:13 PM : Jan 07, 2009
4:34
Posted by erasmus606 at 05:15 PM : Jan 07, 2009
I must say, part 2 was quit moving. It might even rate with the top Nature things.
Posted by erasmus606 at 05:17 PM : Jan 07, 2009
That''s why I said we need to stop and get ourselves fresh.
I still don''t have part three.
Posted by AJMarine111 at 05:13 PM : Jan 07, 2009
I have never seen Niagara Falls, but I guess they would probably be considered a "wonder".
Posted by AJMarine111 at 05:18 PM : Jan 07, 2009
Hahahahaha
I have never seen Niagara Falls, but I guess they would probably be considered a "wonder".
Posted by erasmus606 at 05:20 PM : Jan 07, 2009
Your frozen North, your Coast lines, the Middle of the Country, and the Great Lakes count toward this too.
Should I try sending part #3 again, or wait a little longer?
Posted by erasmus606 at 05:32 PM : Jan 07, 2009
Go ahead and try.
Talking about Niagara Falls, they are beautiful. I like Horse Shoe Falls on the Canadian side the best. You can go to a restaurant that is 200 feet in the air and revolves. You get great views of both falls.
Posted by AJMarine111 at 05:23 PM : Jan 07, 2009
Yes, the north is something to see. I saw pictures of it on "Planet Earth". I like the east coast line, like Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. They have all the rocks on their coast line.
You and I forgot to mention Hudson Bay too, it''s got a lot of history.
I''ve been to the Grand Canyon, but everyone talks about it or has it on some kinda list somewhere. I''ve never been to the Badlands. I have been in Phoenix, Ariz.
I still have no part 3 or other mail. I am going to try and send you something.
Posted by AJMarine111 at 05:58 PM : Jan 07, 2009
Usually this doesn''t last for so long. I''m just wondering if "hotmail" is having a problem. Like too much traffic or whatever you call it. Or maybe your place is having a lot of traffic. Maybe a lot of e-mails going in and out.
"I just got this."
I didn''t send this one THAT long ago, I don''t think.
When did you send the "Ta gra agam duit"? I just got it a few minutes ago.
Posted by erasmus606 at 06:33 PM : Jan 07, 2009
6:04, I just received your ditto too it.
Well that''s an improvement.
Posted by erasmus606 at 06:46 PM : Jan 07, 2009
I think I just got part three,.......either that, or its a new exercise program.
It had 6:41 on it.
Posted by erasmus606 at 08:11 PM : Jan 07, 2009
I think things are good now.
Posted by AJMarine111 at 08:36 PM : Jan 07, 2009
They most certainly are!
They most certainly are!
Posted by erasmus606 at 11:22 PM : Jan 07, 2009
Hussey.
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by erasmus606
January 8, 2009 9:23 PM PST
- Hussey.
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Reply to this comment
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See all 39 CommentsPosted by AJMarine111 at 03:40 PM : Jan 08, 2009
Tell me about it stud!
I got chills.
They''re multiplyin''.
And I''m losin'' control.
''Cause the power
you''re supplyin'',
it''s electrifyin''!
You better shape up,
''cause I need a man
and my heart is set on you.
You better shape up;
you better understand
to my heart I must be true.
You''re the one that I want.
(you are the one i want), o,o, oo, honey.
The one that I want.
(you are the one i want want), o,o,oo, honey.
The one that I want
(you are the one i want want), o,o, ooooo
The one I need.
Oh, yes indeed.
From "You''re The One That I Want" lyrics
:)