There are a lot of unique places in the world that deserve to be praised and treated like treasure. The seven ancient wonders unveiled by the Greeks are definitely among them and anyone interested in history and culture should go see them, but a series of new wonders have been uncovered recently and they are equally as amazing.
The Taj Mahal, a huge white-marble mausoleum built in Agra between 1631 and 1648, is an impressive architectural accomplishment of the Mughal empire. It was commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in order to serve as tomb for the remains of his favourite wife, and it took 16 years to be finished.
The building is unique because it includes some truly remarkable architectural innovations and faithfully reflects the Mughal architectural style, focused on balance and symmetry.
The pyramids of Sudan
This might be a surprise for some, but Sudan has more than twice as many pyramids as there are in Egypt, most of them in the eastern city of Meroe on the river Nile and marking the tombs of royalty of the Kingdom of Kush, rulers of Nubia for a long time.
There are actually over 200 pyramids, most dating from 300 B.C. to A.D. 350. They are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a lot of travel agencies now offer trips to Sudan that include a visit to the pyramids privately guided, six-day trips where you can visits the pyramids.
Machu Picchu
Discovered in 1911, this pre-Columbian Incan citadel was built in the mid-1400s and is believed to have been a sacred archaeological center for the Incan capital of Cusco or a royal retreat for emperor Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui.
Tourists can get to the settlement located on the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains,only by foot, train or helicopter. What’s amazing about this site is the fact that its walls and terraces are integrated into the rock.
Although less famous than Machu Picchu, La Ciudad Perdida de Colombia is 1,000 years and is an archaeological site located in Sierra Nevada. Discovered only in 1972, the place is believed to have been founded about 800 CE, which means it’s some 650 years older than Machu Picchu. It is also believed that the city was abandoned during the Spanish conquest.
Great Wall of China
Situated in Northern China, the Great Wall is an ancient series of walls and fortifications made of stone, brick, wood, and earth, with a length of over 13000 miles. It’s the world’s longest manmade structure and was built as a protection measure across the historical northern borders of China in order to protect the Chinese Empire from invading Mongols.
A popular myth about the Great Wall of China claims that it is visible from the moon, and though this statement was debunked on numerous occasions, it’s still ingrained in popular culture.
Lion’s Rock in Sri Lanka
This amazing site is an ancient lion-shaped rock fortress that resembles a giant piece of sculpture. It’s recognized as a World Heritage Site and dates back to the late 400s. With an elaborate and imaginative site plan, the place was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.
Portugal’s Roman Mansions
Built in the 2nd century BCE, the Roman ruins of Conimbriga in Portugal have been overlooked for a long time but have now started gaining popularity among tourists.
But how did this historic change happen? Let us explain from the beginning. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was signed by President George H.W. Bush in 1992. According to this law, US states had one year to let the federal government know that they wanted sports betting to be legal within their borders. Nonetheless, Nevada, Montana, Delaware and Oregon were the only states that did so, so PASPA basically blocked sports gambling in all the other states.