So my sister Tiffany and I were sitting around talking, and during one of our commonly odd and random conversations, somehow the Seven Wonders of the World came up. We tried naming all of them: The Colosseum, The Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal...and then we were kind of... stuck. This is something we should not have trouble with, especially if we have at least a third-grade education, but we did. Naturally, we got frustrated and did some research. So, here’s a little review on some of our world’s most amazing man-made structures for all of those who might be in the same boat as Tiffany and I.

Christ Redeemer: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This statue of Jesus Christ is about 38 meters tall, atop the Corcovado Mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. It was designed by Brazilian Heitor da Silva Costa and created by French sculptor Paul Landowski. The statue took five years to construct and was inaugurated on October 12, 1931. It’s become a symbol of the city and of the warmth of the Brazilian people.

Machu Picchu: Peru

The Incan Emperor Pachacútec built a city in the clouds on the mountain known as Machu Picchu (“old mountain”), in the 15th century. This astonishing settlement is halfway up the Andes Plateau, hidden in the Amazon and above the Urubamba River. It’s speculated that it was abandoned by the Incas because of a smallpox outbreak and, after the Spanish defeated the Incan Empire, the city remained "lost" for over three centuries. Hiram Bingham rediscovered it in 1911.

Great Wall of China: China

The Great Wall of China was built to connect existing fortifications into a united defense system and to keep Mongol tribes from invading China. It is the largest man-made monument, and supposedly the only one visible from space. Many thousands of people must have given their lives to build this wall.

Pyramid at Chichén Itzá: Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Chichén Itzá served as the political and economic center of the Mayan civilization. Its multiple structures (the pyramid of Kukulkan, the Temple of Chac Mool, the Hall of the Thousand Pillars, and the Playing Field of the Prisoners ) can still be seen today. The pyramid was the last, and some say it’s the greatest, of all Mayan temples.

Roman Colosseum: Rome, Italy

The Colosseum was built to give favors to successful legionnaires and to celebrate the glory of the Roman Empire. The original design from 2,000 years ago is the model for almost every sports arena today.

Petra: Jordan

Petra is located on the edge Arabian Desert. It was the glittering capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to 40 A.D.). Nabataeans, who were masters of water technology, provided their city with amazing tunnel constructions and water chambers. A theater, modelled on Greek-Roman prototypes, had space for an audience of 4,000.

Taj Mahal: Agra, India

This mausoleum was built due to Shah Jahan, the fifth Muslim Mogul emperor, to honor his late wife. It was made from white marble and standing in formally laid-out, walled gardens. The Taj Mahal is considered the most perfect jewel of Muslim art in India. The emperor was consequently jailed and, supposedly, could then only see the Taj Mahal out of his small cell window.