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New 7 Wonders of Nature: The 7 Winning Wonders!
The New7Wonders Foundation’s long-running campaign to select (with your help) the world’s seven
most outstanding natural wonders officially ended on November 11th, 2011. The highly-publicized
process was hugely successful in raising awareness of our planet’s natural beauty and in that respect,
everyone’s a winner.
Amazon Rainforest
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(images via: Amazon
Rainforest, Caoba Lodge, Flickrfavorites and The Guardian)
The Amazon Rainforest first took root, so to speak, around 55 million years ago. Ironically perhaps,
its creation was sparked by a period of global cooling that resulted in a moister climate in north-
central South America. Known colloquially as “the lungs of the Earth”, the Amazon Rainforest
functions both as a critical carbon sink and an oxygen supplier whose beneficial effects are
distributed worldwide.
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(image via: Love These
Pics)
Although its current area of 2,123,562 square miles (5,500,000 km2) does not mark the rainforest’s
maximum historical extent, “Amazonia” is still the planet’s largest tropical rainforest and acts an
irreplaceable biological reservoir for botanical and zoological diversity.
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(images via: TripAdvisor,
Dark Roasted Blend and Big Travel Web)
At the present time, approximately 668,000 square miles (1,730,000 km2) of the Amazon Rainforest –
nearly one third – is protected to some degree by official conservation measures. The region’s
unique pink river dolphins, brilliantly colored “poison dart” frogs and forest-dwelling Amerindian
tribes never in contact with the modern world will be happy to hear that.
Ha Long Bay (Vietnam)
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(images via: Todd’s
Wanderings, Asean Heritages and Desben)
Ha Long Bay means “descending dragon bay” in Vietnamese, and this picture postcard perfect place
has charms that could soothe even the most ornery dragon. The bay boasts nearly 2,000 islands, only
half of which have been named.
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(image via: The Amazing
Stuff)
The bay’s otherworldly beauty is a testament to the power of geological processes acting over time…
say, 20 million years since the area’s half-billion-year-old Karst limestone began weathering away
under the onslaught of tropical storms and salt-water spray.
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(images via: World’s Best
Places and Baitulong Travel)
Karst limestone formations around the world often feature extensive subterranean cave systems and
Ha Long Bay is no different. As such, the area shows another dimension of scenic beauty though the
more popular caves have suffered ill effects from human activity associated with increased tourism.
Iguazu Falls (Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay)
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(images via: Wikipedia,
National Geographic and List After List)
Iguazu Falls has been impressing onlookers for a long time: the name “iguazu” is derived from the
native Guarani words for “water” and “big”. Unlike other large waterfalls such as Niagara Falls and
Victoria Falls, the irregular basalt plateau over which the Iguazu River plummets divides the flow into
as many as 275 separate cataracts.
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(images via:
Neverending Voyage, Argentina’s Travel Guide and Artist Rising)
Visitors to Iguazu Falls are advised to take the Moonlight Tour, though the ethereal after-hours
magnificence of the roaring falls is best taken in under a full moon and clear skies. The sight may
seem somewhat muted but the sound? Not a bit!
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(image via:
eTravelPhotos)
The two nations that share access to Iguazu Falls (Argentina and Brazil) recognized long ago that the
falls and their associated ecosystem was both magnificent and fragile. Brazil created Iguaçu National
Park in 1939 while Argentina’s Iguazú National Park first opened in 1934.
Jeju Island (South Korea)
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(images via: Chic
Traveler, Scubaboard and Travionside)
Jeju Island is the largest and most southerly island in South Korea. The 175 mile (282 km) wide island
was formed 2 million years ago in a series of massive volcanic eruptions and the island owes much of
its unique and striking scenery to its fiery origins.
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(images via: Vinhbinh-
Share and MohammedAldawsari)
South Korea’s tallest mountain, the 6,400 ft (1,950 m) tall extinct volcano Halla-san, rises from the
island’s geographical center. The contrast between Halla-san’s alpine scenery and the palm-fringed
tropical beaches at the isle’s fringes results in a wide range of ecosystems.
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(images via: VisitKorea)
Known as the “Island of the Gods”, Jeju Island is South Korea’s top honeymoon destination. The
island’s relatively small residential population and the unsuitability of much of the rocky, lava-
covered land for farming has helped preserve Jeju Island’s primordial character.
Komodo National Park (Indonesia)
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(images via: Labuan Bajo
and TripAdvisor)
Founded in 1980, Indonesia’s Komodo National Park consists of the three large islands of Komodo,
Padar and Rincah, 26 smaller surrounding islands, and a short section of western Flores Island’s
coast.
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(images via: The Beauty
of Indonesia)
The park as a whole comprises nearly 670 square miles (1,733 km²) of combined land and sea. The
park was created specifically to protect the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo Dragon, but its
purview has been expanded to cover a number of unique indigenous terrestrial and marine
ecosystems.
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(image via: Photohome)
Komodo Dragons are a rare example of “island giantism” in which one species gradually evolves to
fill an ecological niche, in this case one left empty by the lack of large carnivorous predators.
Certainly qualifying as giants among lizards, Komodo Dragons can grow up to 9.8 feet (3 meters) in
length and can weigh up to 150 lbs (70 kg). Fun facts about Komodo Dragons touch on their reddish
saliva and white excrement, the latter a consequence of the creatures’ inability to digest the calcium
in their prey’s bones.
Puerto Princesa Underground River (Philippines)
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(images via:
LovePinasPinoy, Puerto Princesa Hotels & Resorts, Eye in the Sky and New7Wonders.com)
The Puerto Princesa Underground (or Subterranean) River was recognized by UNESCO as a World
Heritage Site on December 4th, 1999, and it’s likely the attention the site subsequently received did
much to spur much-needed preservation and protection measures.
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(images via: Pinoy Travel
Blog, Themenschwerpunkte and TripAdvisor)
Stretching 5.1 miles (8.2 km) from its mountainous headwaters to the South China Sea, the Puerto
Princesa Underground River system encompasses a vast range of ecological habitats supporting an
intricate web of rare and often interdependent plant and animal species.
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(image via: Philippines –
Official Gazette)
Puerto Princesa City is the capitol of the Philippines’ semi-isolated, rugged and relatively
undeveloped island province of Palawan, and the Puerto Princesa Underground River is situated
roughly 30 miles (50 km) north of the city center. This advantageous location is a boon for the
limited number of tourists who have and will visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River.
Table Mountain (South Africa)
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(images via: African
Fiesta and TripAdvisor)
The massive, flat-topped sandstone peak called Table Mountain stands 3,558 feet (1,084.6 meters)
tall and looms over Cape Town, South Africa. As the centerpiece of Table Mountain National Park,
the long-time landmark attracts visitors from around the world and facilitates their movement via the
convenient Table Mountain Cableway.
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(images via: Splash and
SA-Venues)
Is that Reverend Desmond Tutu up on Table Mountain looking all messianic-like? Why yes, yes it is!
Was the revered Reverend calling upon The Big Guy “upstairs” to help boost Table Mountain into the
New 7 Wonders of Nature’s final seven? We can let the results speak for themselves.
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(image via: Itinaukri)
Table Mountain’s indigenous ecosystem is very different today from what it was when Dutch
colonists first founded Cape Town in 1652. Large carnivores such as lions and leopards have been
eradicated as have most of the larger herbivores. SANParks has been vigilant (some say TOO vigilant)
in rooting out invasive plants and animals from Table Mountain, including a large population of
goat-like Himalayan Tahr which descended from a breeding pair of zoo escapees back in 1935.
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(images via: Let’s Go
Sago! and DavidIcke.com)
The seven winning wonders described above and listed in alphabetical order are stated to be
“provisional” based upon the first vote count conducted by the the New7Wonders Foundation and
announced by Bernard Weber, project founder, on 11/11/11. Stay tuned for official confirmation of
the seven winning sites, due to be announced early in 2012 at the Official Inauguration ceremony!
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The Real Spirit of the Season: 14 Charity Gift Sites
Does your boss really need another coffee mug, or your father another tie? What if you could,
instead, give them a gift that changes another person’s life, or improves the environment? These 14
charitable giving websites allow you to symbolically ‘adopt’ an animal, foster a coral reef, provide
school books for children in third world countries and give long-term sustenance to families in need.
Your recipients receive a card letting them know that you’ve donated in their names and that warm
glow that comes with doing a great deed.
Oxfam America Unwrapped
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(image via: oxfamamericaunwrapped)
Mosquito nets, vegetable gardens and goats can be the difference between life and death for
families in need around the world. Oxfam America Unwrapped lets you choose a unique gift that can
help give an education, start a business, recover from a disaster or provide long-term food and water
solutions. Your friend or loved one gets a card letting them know that you have donated in his or her
honor, and the money goes to someone in need.
Greater Good
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(image via: greatergood.org)
Greater Good partners with charities around the world, letting donors give 100% tax-deductible
contributions directly to nonprofit causes like recovery from the earthquake in Turkey, feeding
malnourished children in Africa, providing clean water to families in Guatemala and helping veterans
in America get training for new jobs. Choose your preferred cause, and you can donate in the name
of your gift recipient.
International Fund for Animals
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(image via: ifaw.org)
Honor someone special with tribute gifts from the International Fund for Animals, which saves
animals in crisis around the world including whales, elephants, seals and domesticated pets. IFAW
will send a special card to the individual of your choice to notify them of your tribute.
Heifer International
(image via: heifer.org)
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Give a gift that will change someone’s life forever. Heifer International works to end world hunger by
providing livestock, trees and bees to people in need. Gifts include cows, sheep, goats, water
buffalos, geese, pigs and chicks. These gifts can make all the difference in the world as they produce
offspring to sell and manure to nourish crops.
Bidding for Good
(image via: biddingforgood.com)
Want a real, physical gift that also gives to charitable causes and organizations? Check out Bidding
for Good, an auction site where you can shop for travel packages, unique experiences like hot air
balloon rides, tickets to special events and in-demand items like iPods. A portion of proceeds goes to
a cause specified by the seller including elementary schools, pet rescue organizations and the arts.
Alternative Gifts International
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(image via: altgifts.org)
At Alternative Gifts International, you can choose a cause that might resonate with your intended gift
recipient – like hunger, education, gender equality, reducing child mortality or environmental
sustainability. Projects within each focus area might give children around the world anti-parasite
treatment, provide bicycles to rural healthcare workers in Namibia, give safe water to people i the
Philippines or help kids in Myanmar stay in school.
The Nature Conservancy
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(image via: nature.org)
The Nature Conservancy invites you to “give a gift of conservation.” You can adopt a coral reef in
Palau or an acre in the Northern Rockies. You can plant trees in Brazil, give the gift of clean water or
give a special kid’s gift of protecting threatened species like turtles, jaguars, rhinos and orangutans.
Another fun gift is the Animal Adoption Kit for kids; the gift recipient will receive a backpack full of
stuffed versions of the animals that are being protected in their name as well as discounts from eco-
friendly retailers, field trip invitations and more.
Charity: Water
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(image via: charitywater.org)
We take clean water for granted, letting untold millions of gallons of it disappear down the drain
when people around the world don’t have access to a single glass. Charity: Water, an organization
that brings clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations, allows you to donate in
someone’s honor. You get to choose a specially-designed greeting card to send the recipient, and
100% of your donation will directly fund water project costs.
Oceana
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(image via: store.oceana.org)
Oceana works to protect the world’s oceans, and when you choose to adopt marine wildlife through
them, your money will fund efforts to improve the health and safety of species like bluefin tuna, sea
turtles, coral, sharks, whales and dolphins. You can adopt the species of your choice and send an
‘Honor Card’, printed with soy inks on recycled paper using 100% wind power. When you adopt four
animals, you receive four stuffed animals, and adopting six will get you a set of cookie cutters.
TisBest
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(image via: tisbest.org)
Not sure which charity or cause your gift recipients would prefer? Let them choose. At TisBest, you
choose between printing a gift card on your printer or sending a 100% recycled gift card by regular
mail. Choose between over 50 stock images, or upload your own to personalize it. The recipient then
gets to select the charity of his or her choice to receive the donation.
Concern Worldwide
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(image via: concerngifts.org)
Located outside the United States? No problem. Many of the charities on this list can work with
international donors, and Concern Worldwide deals specifically in Euros. Types of gifts include
medical help, long term support in the form of apple trees or solar water pumps, access to
education, and school books and sports equipment for kids.
National Parks Annual Pass
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(image via: nps.gov)
Encourage your friends, family members and co-workers to explore America’s most beautiful natural
spaces. The National Parks Annual Pass gives them access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites
including national parks, national wildlife refuges and national forests. Of course, the entrance fees
covered by the pass are a crucial part of the National Parks System’s budget, so purchasing this pass
preserves our natural heritage for everyone. The pass covers the driver plus all passengers, so it’s an
ideal way to give an eco-friendly, charitable gift to an entire family.
JustGive.org
(image via: justgive.org)
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Here’s another way to let your gift recipient choose exactly which charity he or she would like to see
your funds to go. JustGive features over 1,000 recommended charities in areas like animals,
education, children, arts and culture, disaster relief and women’s issues. You can either send the
recipient an email notification, or have JustGive mail a personalized note card.
World of Good
(image via: worldofgood.ebay.com)
World of Good truly is the best of both worlds. Offering a selection of artisan, hand-made and fair
trade clothing, household goods and other gifts, World of Good is a special eBay market site for
socially and environmentally responsible shopping. You can purchase physical gifts that your friends
and family will love, and know that your money is supporting economic empowerment, energy
conservation, animal welfare and other causes. World of Good verifies each merchant through a
third-party non-profit partner.
The Cute Side of the Force
A short time ago on a website not so far away…
It is a period of creative chaos. Rebel crocheters, striking forth from Etsy, have won the hearts of Star
Wars fans in a reconciliation between a complete lack of functionality and mind-jarring cuteness.
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During the battle for yarn-related domination, lucyravenscar managed to create a crochet pattern to
sell on Etsy, the Star Wars amigurumi, a by-all-rights useless crocheted figurine with enough
adorableness to destroy an entire franchise. Pursued by a throng of online crafters, lucyravenscar
races to online stardom aboard many fan sites, custodian of a method that can save her people from
the boredom of crocheting yet another Pokemon figurine and thus restoring freedom to the craft
community…
"Size matters not.
Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you?" Or by the fact that I'm made of yarn?
You will never find a more precious hive of yarn and craftiness.
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"The more you tighten your grip,
Internet, the more craft ideas will slip through your fingers."
“I love yarn.” “I know.”
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"'Cause no mystical pattern controls
my destiny. It's all a lot of needle tricks and nonsense."
“I think my eyes are getting better. Instead of a big dark blur, I see a tiny, shiny, buttony blur.”
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"I'll never turn to the plastic side...I am an
amigurumi, like my father before me."
“You’re not my amigurumi creator!!!”
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"Hmph. Adventure.
Heh. Excitement. Heh. An amigurumi craves not these things."
“For my ally is the Internet, and a powerful ally it is.”
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"We seem to be made to be
forwarded back and forth across the Internet. It's our lot in life."
“I am fluent in over six million crocheting techniques…”
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"R2, why do you have to be so
cute?"
“Beep, brreeeep, blurby, amigurumi.”
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"These are not the amigurumi that
we're looking for"
“Aren’t you a little short for a stormtrooper?”
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"Perhaps I can find new ways to
crochet them."
“Nothing can stop that now. Just for once…let me…look on you with my button eyes.”
“He’s more amigurumi now than man; cute and without function.”
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"Laugh it up, Yarnball."
“Garhhnnnn….Groghanahannnnnn…Amigurumi…”
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"You're a yarny little thing, aren't
you?"
“Ayun! Amigurumi!”
If you want these tiny, adorable things in your own home you can certainly order the pattern off of
etsy and crochet them yourself. Or, rather, you can try.
“Do or do not, there is no try…ing to crochet an amigurumi.”
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