APPENDIX O
Seven Wonders of the Natural World

1 Grand Canyon

Created after millions of years of erosion from the Colorado River and its tributaries, this Arizona landmark is visited by millions of tourists each year.

2 Paricutin Volcano

Although it is not one of the largest volcanoes in Mexico, Paricutin has taken a place on the list of natural wonders following its birth in 1943. The eruption spanned ten years and covered about 2.6 square meters (10 square miles). No one was killed from the lava and ash, but it destroyed agricultural land and seriously affected the lives of those living nearby.

3 The Harbor at Rio de Janeiro

Located on the east coast of Brazil, the harbor overlooks the Guanabara Bay and the Atlantic Ocean on one side, and mountains on the other. Discovered by Portuguese navigators in 1502, this area houses a huge carnival each year.

4 Northern Lights

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, have fascinated people for centuries. Seen as souls, heavenly signs, or even messages from the dead, these shimmering light displays are caused by the interaction of solar winds with Earth's magnetic field. A similar phenomenon occurs in the southern hemisphere as well, but only the northern lights are classified as a natural wonder.

5 Mt. Everest

Formed from the collision of Asia and India over 60 million years ago, the Himalayas house Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth. Located in Nepal near the Tibetan border, this snowy peak has fascinated and challenged many climbers and non-climbers alike.

6 Victoria Falls

The largest waterfalls in the world, Victoria Falls has a drop of more than 99 meters (325 feet). Flowing from the Zambezi River, the falls were named for Queen Victoria by David Livingstone in 1855, when he became the first European to gaze upon them.

7 The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef extends over 1,998 kilometers (1,242 miles) on the northeast coast of Australia. The reef is quite delicate, being comprised of the skeletons of generations of marine life that lived just under the water's surface. The area is home to exotic coral, which is greatly affected by any human or natural interference, and a wide variety of marine life

APPENDIX O Seven Wonders of the Natural World