Angkor Wat of Cambodia has become the Eighth Wonder of the World by surpassing Italy’s Pompeii.
- The recognition of the Eighth Wonder is an informal one bestowed upon noteworthy new structures, projects, or designs.
About Angkor Wat:
i.Angkor Wat is an Ancient Hindu Temple Complex located in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
ii.It was built by King Suryavarman II during the 12th century over a time span of 30 years.
iii. The temple was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, but it later transformed into a Buddhist temple.
iv.Angkor Wat is one of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage sites.
- It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1992.
Structure and Design:
i.The temple is known for its architectural design and intricate bas-reliefs.
ii.Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple-mountain and the later galleried temple.
iii.The outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 miles) long which is crafted with intricate carvings depicting Hindu epics, scenes from daily life, and celestial beings.
iv.At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers.
v.The temple is part of Angkor Archaeological Park which spreads roughly for 400 square km.
- Bayon Temple, hydraulic structures (basins, dykes, reservoirs, canals) as well as communication routes also present within the park.
About Eighth Wonder of the World:
i.“Eighth Wonder of the World” is not an officially recognized designation by any authoritative international body.
ii.There isn’t a specific and universally agreed-upon list of wonders beyond the traditional Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The Seven Wonders of the World:
i.The Seven Wonders of the Modern world is announced by the New 7 Wonders Foundation.
- The selection of the sites will be based on the global voting made on its website.
ii.It is a private organization established in 2001, which is dedicated to investing in good causes related to monument preservation and reconstruction around the world.
| S.No. | Wonder | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taj Mahal | Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| 2 | Christ the Redeemer Statue | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| 3 | Colosseum | Rome, Italy |
| 4 | Chichen Itza | Yucatan, Mexico |
| 5 | Great Wall of China | Beijing, China |
| 6 | Machu Picchu | Cusco, Peru |
| 7 | Petra | Aqaba, Jordan |
Recent Related News:
Santiniketan in West Bengal(WB) and Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas in Karnataka were inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage list.
About Cambodia:
Prime Minister – Hun Manet
Capital – Phnom Penh
Currency – Cambodian Riel
