Uncovering the New Seven Wonders of the World

We humans sure do love ranking things. And the more abstract the subject the better -- things like beauty, or talent, or... "wonders." Remember in 2007 when we decided to renovate our selections for the Seven Wonders of the World? Just a few years have passed, and the aching desire to scratch that itch has returned. This itch comes back courtesy of the New7Wonders team, who are saddling wide-eyed web surfers with the responsibility to vote for the newest addition to the storied canon, the "Seven Natural Wonders of the World." But as frequent viewers of T.V. talent shows can attest, Internet democracy can be cruel and unforgiving, with unconventional candidates often tossed aside in place of gimmickry or mere name value. With that in mind, we're going to examine the underdogs of the forthcoming New Seven Wonders of the Natural World voting process, taking you on a guided tour of the less-heralded marvels of Mother Earth from Venezuela to Jordan to Korea giving our best Vegas shot at predicting their odds to win. (Note: We will not accept calls from your bookie.)

The Jeju Islands
South Korea

Why it's wondrous: Glance at the picture to the left and you might mistake the massive crater of Mt. Hallasan for some sort of ancient battleground for the gods, or maybe a secret lair for an on-screen archvillain; local legend certainly believes it a creation of unimaginable powers. However you slice it, the Jeju Islands seem more fantasy than reality, and it's no small wonder that such natural anomaly is one of South Korea's titans of tourism. Mt. Hallasan is the highest point in South Korea, home to the country's only natural lake, and a key archeological site for its "lava tubes," or large caves that once acted as magma pipe systems and contain a bonanza of plant and animal fossils. But just because it's chock full of dead and dormant stuff doesn't mean it's suffering from a lack of life--over 1800 plant species and 4000 animal species call the island home, highlighted by the ruby-red azalea fields that blanket the mountain. Inherent to South Korean lore are Jeju's mysterious carved-basalt-stone statues that resemble old cranky grandfathers, who are believed to exist to protect the island from demons.

Why it probably won't win: The New Seven Wonders will pit a few mountains against each other, and chances are not all will advance. And despite its beauty and resume, Jeju doesn't necessarily carry the name value of a Kilimanjaro or Table Mountain. We'll put the odds at 32-1.

Black Forest
Germany

Why it's wondrous: Don't be fooled by its eerie Tolkien-reminiscent moniker: The Black Forest will not swallow your soul into certain oblivion, though its supposed impenetrability led old outsiders to believe it housed werewolves, dwarves, sorcerers and the like. Tourists are more likely to gush about the area's greenery and hike-ability, as the Black Forest is prime real estate for towering pines, firs and mountain trails. The preserve is almost perfectly rectangular and sprung from the remains of an ancient glacier. The forest attracts travelers quite often due to the old-fashioned whimsy of its main inhabitants, who still cling to traditional dialects and rituals, like their famous giant pom-pom hats. Not to mention they know the key ingredients to making a killer clock and a mean bottle of cherry schnapps.

Why it probably won't win: When you think of "natural wonders," do you think of pine trees or paradise? Unless its preceded by "rain," the word "forest" alone sadly evokes a sense of commonality more than awe. And while the residents of the forest wear pretty awesome hats, they don't necessarily contribute to the natural beauty of the landscape. Not to mention the whole place sounds like a curse waiting to happen. Odds: 107-1.

Jeita Grotto
Lebanon

Why it's wondrous: It's a veritable palace of stalagmites, stalactites and countless other geological terms you forgot in high school -- we're talking about the stuff of sultans, all in rock form. But for thousands of years, after its prehistoric human inhabitants moved out, the Jeita Grotto's beauty was only overseen by underground rodent-kings. It wasn't until 1836 that its lower cave, only reachable by boat, was re-discovered by a passing missionary and entered the public awe. And the discoveries have just kept on coming: Jeita contains the world's largest stalactite at a maximum height of 120 meters (390 feet), cavernous depths that reach over 6,000 feet below the surface, and the Middle East's longest cave complex, spanning some 22,000 feet. It wasn't even until 1958 that its upper cave was discovered, which now resides as a major tourist pathway to scope out the sites without damaging them. Jeita's natural springs also provide clean water for over 1.5 million people in nearby Beirut. It's stunning enough that its overseers don't allow photographs below, making it something to see in person to truly believe.

Why it probably won't win: The Jeita Grotto has some rich history to burn, but its local prominence hasn't seemed to reach as far as the international community just yet. It's only been officially open to the public for about fifty years, part of that time closed for civil war, and it's already gone through a number of name changes. Still, as the only cave among the 28 nominees, it's a dark horse candidate to sneak past the final cut. Odds: 28-1.

El Yunque National Rainforest
Puerto Rico

Why it's wondrous: For a small country like Puerto Rico, it was a major victory for locals in 2007 when President George W. Bush officially sanctioned the El Yunque National Forest to hold its current name rather than its former generic title, the "Caribbean National Forest." Until that point two years ago, the rainforest has seemed relatively neglected by the touring public at large, which is shameful considering it was one of the first official nature reserves in the Western Hemisphere (1876). El Yunque hosts 28,000 acres of biodiversity and one of the larger peaks of Puerto Rico (which shares the name of its forest). Within the vegetation is a largely unsung set of landmarks, including the cascading Coca Falls, and some ancient petroglyph art leftover by the Taino peoples. And while El Yunque doesn't carry the opportunity to run into kooky creatures like monkeys, it's become a haven for bird-watchers who seek out the critically endangered Puerto Rican Amazon parrot, of which only 30 are believed to exist anymore.

Why it probably won't win: There's already the ubiquitous Amazon rainforest to compete with, but the fact that El Yunque has a recently-changed name, a smallish overall surface area and a lack of knockout landmarks within its confines pretty much solidifies its longshot status. Odds: 128-1.

Iguazu Falls
Brazil

Why it's wondrous: "Don't go chasin' waterfalls." Right? The quote was well-meaning, but those four words might've been the most unadventurous advice that pop superstars TLC ever gave. ("No scrubs" was pretty fortuitous for its time.) "Yeah, but Internet guy," you might be telling me. "That line was, uh, a metaphor, I'm pretty sure." Fair enough, I might tell you (cue blushing, crying). But had TLC visited Iguazu Falls, the majestic curtains of water that stand as the fantastical centerpiece of the Iguazu River valley, they might've chosen to tweak their choice in figurative speech. Iguazu Falls is worth spending your life chasing, best encapsulated by another quote, this one by awed visitor Eleanor Roosevelt: "Poor Niagara!" Iguazu's centerpiece, the massive Devil's Throat, is the fitting cataract that divides the Argentinian and Brazilian border; standing on its edge, you might be convinced it is the true point where the world ends. The Devil's Throat is flanked by hundreds of smaller waterfalls that by themselves would be highly-regarded attractions, and unlike the similarly spectacular Victoria Falls, Iguazu offers eye-opening views from almost any point within.

Why it probably won't win: I'm kinda cheating here: Iguazu has a pretty decent chance of getting selected by folks as it's the only waterfall to appear on the list, and people (except TLC) tend to hold a special adoration for waterfalls. But the fact remains that Iguazu Falls doesn't have the name value of some of the other contenders, and I think that's kind of a drag. I'm hoping that this here post garners Iguazu some support. I'll put the odds at 8-1.