The natural wonders of the world

Travel

A tourist stops before a chorten on the trail to Mount Everest, background, near Namche Bazaar, Nepal. The organizers of the event have turned to highlighting the most impressive natural wonders after their success earlier this year in the selection of the seven structural wonders, including India's Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China and Rome's Colosseum.

People walk on the Skywalk during the First Walk event at the Grand Canyon on the Hualapai Indian Reservation at Grand Canyon West, Ariz.

Ayers Rock (Uluru) takes on an unusual color as waterfalls cascade down its' walls in central Australia. The rock, which is usually a reddish color, is shown after heavy rains and is seldom seen like this. Starting in Jan. 2009, a global poll will allow people worldwide to vote and select the seven natural wonders of the world.

Mount Fuji soars behind thatched houses in Oshinohakkai, Japan. Among the suggestions for natural wonders already received are places like Mount Everest, Ireland's Cliffs of Moher, Russia's Lake Baikal, Ecuador's Galapagos Islands, Egypt's Mount Sinai, Vietnam's Ha Long Bay, Tanzania's Serengeti National Park and Australia's Ayers Rock.

With the North Rim in the background, tourists hike along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

A flock of frigates fly over a group of pelicans on the San Cristobal islands in the Galapagos Archipelago.

A boat is seen in the Tapajos River, near the Amazonia National Park in the northern state of Para, Brazil. The seven winners will be announced in late 2010.

Marine iguanas sunbathe on the volcanic rocks of Loberia Beach on San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos Archipelago in this 2001 file photo. It will take several years to complete the selection of natural wonders. The multi-step process was launched in July with the public invited to make suggestions for sites to be considered. Suggestions are already posted by continent on the website.

Members of the Chinese Mount Everest expedition team climb up to measure the height of the mountain.

People walk on the Skywalk during the First Walk event at the Grand Canyon on the Hualapai Indian Reservation at Grand Canyon West, Ariz. Around 300 suggestions from six continents have come in so far.

A double rainbow forms at Hopi Point, after a rain shower at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona in this 2004 file photo.

Vietnamese fishermen start their morning fishing in Ha Long bay in northern Quang Ninh province. Swiss-Canadian adventurer Bernard Weber, who started the foundation in 1999, said his aim is to "create respect and enthusiasm ... for the beauty of our planet."

1/12

A tourist stops before a chorten on the trail to Mount Everest, background, near Namche Bazaar, Nepal. The organizers of the event have turned to highlighting the most impressive natural wonders after their success earlier this year in the selection of the seven structural wonders, including India's Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China and Rome's Colosseum.

Today's Gallery Headlines

PHOTOS: See the 'Places in Peril' across Georgia for 2026

1h ago

PHOTOS: Tyler Reddick wins again at Autotrader 400

Allyson Phillips (center), Laken Riley’s mother, prays at UGA’s Tate Plaza on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, during a memorial service for her daughter. Riley was attacked on Feb. 22, 2024 while running in Oconee Forest Park on the UGA campus and killed. (C.J. Bartunek for the AJC)

PHOTOS: Hundreds honor Laken Riley with 5K, memorial on UGA campus

Region 5AA Championship : Holy Innocents vs. KIPP Atlanta

Alerts

PHOTOS: See the 'Places in Peril' across Georgia for 2026

PHOTOS: Tyler Reddick wins again at Autotrader 400

PHOTOS: Hundreds honor Laken Riley with 5K, memorial on UGA campus

PHOTOS: Holy Innocents’ wins Region 5AA championship in basketball