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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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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- Hussey.
Posted by AJMarine111 at 03:40 PM : Jan 08, 2009
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From "You''re The One That I Want" lyrics
:) - Reply to this comment
- Posted by AJMarine111 at 08:36 PM : Jan 07, 2009
They most certainly are!
Posted by erasmus606 at 11:22 PM : Jan 07, 2009
Hussey. - Reply to this comment
- I think things are good now.
Posted by AJMarine111 at 08:36 PM : Jan 07, 2009
They most certainly are! - Reply to this comment
- I think you have lost me again.
Posted by erasmus606 at 08:11 PM : Jan 07, 2009
I think things are good now. - Reply to this comment
- I think you have lost me again. I have sent the second paragraph. I asked you if you wanted me to just go ahead and send the third one.
- Reply to this comment
- 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. - Reply to this comment
- Posted by AJMarine111 at 06:39 PM : Jan 07, 2009
Well that''s an improvement. - Reply to this comment
- 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. - Reply to this comment
- "I have been deleting e-mails as I go, to keep them from building up."
"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. - Reply to this comment
- 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. - Reply to this comment
Ex-NBA ref Tim Donaghy 
