Seven Wonders of Nature (New7Wonders)

Summary

This video covers the New7Wonders of nature, based on a global vote. It explores the Amazon River and Rainforest, Vietnam's Halong Bay, South Korea's Jeju Island, the Iguazu Falls on the Brazil-Argentina border, the Puerto Princesa Underground River in the Philippines, Komodo Island in Indonesia, and Table Mountain in South Africa. Each site is highlighted for its natural beauty, biodiversity, and unique characteristics, from the Amazon's vast ecosystem to Komodo Island's iconic dragons. The series promises more exciting content, with the next video focusing on innovative global cities.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Amazon River and its rainforest are considered one of the largest river systems and are known for their biodiversity.
• 🌳 Nearly 17% of the Amazon rainforest was destroyed by 2018 due to deforestation.
• 🏝️ Halong Bay in Vietnam is famous for its over 1,600 islands formed by rising limestone.
• 🌋 Jeju Island in South Korea is home to the country's highest mountain, an active volcano, and has a distinct local culture and language.
• 💧 Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina is the largest waterfall system in the world.
• 🚌 To limit pollution at Iguazu Falls, high occupancy vehicles like 72-passenger double-decker buses are used.
• 🎬 Iguazu Falls was featured in the 2018 film 'Black Panther' before being digitally altered.
• 🐉 The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River in the Philippines is known for its uncharted underground caves and rich animal life.
• 🐊 Komodo Island in Indonesia is the primary habitat of the Komodo dragon, a protected species due to its unique and limited habitat.
• 🏞️ Table Mountain in South Africa is a massive flat-topped mountain overlooking Cape Town and is a popular destination for hiking and wildlife viewing.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video series?

The video series focuses on the New7Wonders, which are natural and man-made wonders voted on by the public.

How many votes were cast in the New7Wonders poll?

Over 100 million votes were cast worldwide in the New7Wonders poll.

Why might the Amazon River be considered the longest river in the world?

The Amazon River might be considered the longest because the true start and end points of the river are debated, which could potentially make it longer than the Nile River.

What is the Amazon Rainforest known for?

The Amazon Rainforest is known for its biodiversity, with one in ten animal species and one in five bird species living in the rainforest.

What threats does the Amazon Rainforest face?

The Amazon Rainforest has been a victim of deforestation, with nearly 17% of the forest destroyed by 2018.

What is unique about Halong Bay in Vietnam?

Halong Bay is home to over 1,600 islands created by rising limestone from the water, some of which are large and inhabited, while others are small or even hollow with caves and grottos.

What is the mythological origin story of Halong Bay?

The mythological origin story of Halong Bay is that dragons were sent to assist villagers against invading ships, so they spit forth jade walls to protect the people.

What is Jeju Island in South Korea famous for?

Jeju Island in South Korea is famous for housing the highest mountain in the country, which is an active volcano, and for being a self-governing province.

How does the local economy of Jeju Island rely on tourism?

The local economy of Jeju Island relies heavily on tourism, but there is also a negative factor where many outside businesses buy up land and build there, affecting locals trying to run their own businesses.

What makes Iguazu Falls unique?

Iguazu Falls is the largest waterfall system in the world, flowing through Brazil but falling into Argentina, with tourist attractions on both sides of the border.

What measures are taken to limit pollution at Iguazu Falls?

To limit pollution at Iguazu Falls, they focus on using high occupancy vehicles, including 72-passenger double-decker buses, to bring people in from remote parking.

Why might the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River in the Philippines be familiar to viewers?

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River might be familiar because it was used as a location before being digitally altered in the 2018 film Black Panther.

What is the primary habitat of the Komodo dragon?

The primary habitat of the Komodo dragon is Komodo Island in Indonesia, where about 2,000 human inhabitants also live.

What is unique about Table Mountain in South Africa?

Table Mountain is a massive table-like mountain that overlooks Cape Town, popular for hiking or using a cableway to reach the top, which has substantial vegetation and wildlife.

What is the next video in the series about?

The next video in the series is about seven important cities voted by the public for their innovation and accomplishments.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Introduction to the Natural Wonders of the World

This video is the second in a series focused on the New7Wonders, as voted by the public. The first video covered man-made wonders, and this one covers natural wonders. Voted on by over 100 million people globally in an internet poll that concluded in 2011, the list reflects public opinion. The video host emphasizes that the list might not include everyone’s favorites, but the order is not ranked, and each wonder is unique. The video starts with the Amazon, a river and rainforest system debated to be the largest in the world, home to incredible biodiversity, and facing significant deforestation challenges.

05:03

🦜 The Mighty Amazon River and Rainforest

The Amazon River, one of the contenders for the world's largest river, runs across multiple South American countries including Peru, Brazil, and Colombia. Its length is debated due to disputes about its true start and end points. The surrounding rainforest is known for its immense biodiversity, housing 1 in 10 of the world’s animal species and 1 in 5 of all bird species. Despite its grandeur, the Amazon faces major threats, particularly from deforestation, with 17% of the rainforest destroyed by 2018. The dangerous ecosystem includes predators like jaguars, piranhas, and poison dart frogs.

🏝️ The Stunning Islands of Halong Bay, Vietnam

Halong Bay in Vietnam features over 1,600 limestone islands, rising dramatically from the water. Some islands are large and inhabited, while others are small and hollow, with fascinating caves and grottos. According to local mythology, these islands were formed when dragons spat jade walls to protect villagers from invaders. Only about 40 islands are populated, and many are popular tourist attractions due to their unique geography and natural beauty.

🌋 Jeju Island: The Volcanic Marvel of South Korea

Jeju Island in South Korea is home to the country's highest mountain and an active volcano that last erupted 2 million years ago. The island is covered in lush forests and has a distinct culture, being the only self-governing province in South Korea. Jeju Island's population is nearly 700,000, and the local economy thrives on tourism. However, outside businesses often buy land and establish enterprises, which can negatively impact the local economy and small businesses.

💧 The Majestic Igauzu Falls at the Brazil-Argentina Border

Igauzu Falls, located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, is the largest waterfall system in the world. Tourists can view the falls from both sides, and measures have been taken to limit environmental impact, such as using high-occupancy vehicles to transport visitors. The site was even used as a filming location for the 2018 movie Black Panther, though it was digitally altered for the film. The falls remain a natural wonder that attracts visitors from all over the world.

🏞️ The Mystical Puerto Princesa Subterranean River in the Philippines

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River in the Philippines is a unique natural wonder that winds through a mountain range, forming underground caves and channels. It is difficult to explore, with some areas still uncharted. The underground portion stretches around 5 miles, with massive cave rooms that rank among the largest in the world. The river's ecosystem is home to various wildlife species, including bats, pigs, and the elusive Binturong, a favorite animal of the video host.

🐉 Komodo Island: The Land of the Dragons

Komodo Island in Indonesia is famous as the primary habitat of the Komodo dragon, the largest living lizard species. Approximately 2,000 people live on the island alongside these dragons, which were once thought to breathe fire due to early myths. Dutch explorers in the early 1900s dispelled these myths, identifying the dragons as a type of Monitor lizard. Komodo dragons have no natural predators on the island, contributing to their massive size, and they were quickly declared a protected species to preserve their limited habitat.

🗻 Table Mountain: South Africa’s Natural Landmark

Table Mountain in South Africa is a flat-topped mountain that overlooks Cape Town. Visitors can either hike to the top or take a cableway, which provides stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The summit of the mountain is rich in vegetation and wildlife, offering a diverse ecosystem that feels like a world of its own. Table Mountain remains one of South Africa’s most iconic natural wonders.

🏙️ Conclusion and Sneak Peek at the Next Video

This video wraps up the exploration of natural wonders, with a teaser for the next video in the series, which will cover seven important cities. These cities were also voted on by the public for their innovation and accomplishments. The video encourages viewers to stay tuned for the next installment or check back if the next video has already been uploaded. The host thanks viewers for watching and promises more exciting content in the series.

Keywords

💡New7Wonders

The New7Wonders is a global movement that aims to engage people worldwide in selecting the 'New Seven Wonders' of the world. The term is used in the context of both man-made and natural wonders. In the video, it refers to the wonders that are voted on by the public via an internet poll that concluded in 2011, highlighting the participatory nature of the selection process.

💡Amazon River

The Amazon River is one of the largest rivers in the world by discharge volume of water. It is central to the video's discussion of natural wonders because of its immense size and the biodiversity it supports. The river stretches across several countries in South America and is a key feature of the Amazon Rainforest, which is home to a vast array of animal species.

💡Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular ecosystem or habitat. In the script, it is used to describe the rich variety of species found in the Amazon Rainforest, emphasizing the ecological importance of this natural wonder. The video mentions that one in ten animal species and one in five bird species live in the Amazon Rainforest, illustrating the concept.

💡Deforestation

Deforestation is the process of clearing forests by cutting down trees. The term is relevant to the video's discussion of the Amazon Rainforest, as it highlights the environmental challenges faced by this natural wonder. The script mentions that nearly 17% of the forest was destroyed by 2018, underscoring the urgency of conservation efforts.

💡Halong Bay

Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vietnam known for its beautiful seascape of limestone islands. The video describes it as a natural wonder with over 1,600 islands, some of which are inhabited and host tourism activities. The mention of Halong Bay in the script serves to illustrate the geological formations and cultural significance of this natural site.

💡Jeju Island

Jeju Island is South Korea's largest island and is noted for its unique governance and natural features, including an active volcano. In the video, Jeju Island is highlighted as a natural wonder due to its distinct ecosystem and cultural identity. The island's self-governance and the economic impact of tourism are also discussed, showing its relevance to the video's theme.

💡Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls is a series of waterfalls on the border of Argentina and Brazil, and it is the largest waterfall system in the world. The video mentions Iguazu Falls as a natural wonder due to its壮观的景象 and the environmental measures taken to protect it, such as using high occupancy vehicles to limit pollution.

💡Puerto Princesa Subterranean River

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is a river that flows into a mountain range with a section that runs underground, featuring caves and unique animal life. The video describes it as a natural wonder because of its challenging exploration and the mystery of uncharted areas, emphasizing the sense of adventure and discovery associated with natural wonders.

💡Komodo Island

Komodo Island is known as the primary habitat of the Komodo dragon, one of the world's largest lizards. The video discusses the island as a natural wonder because of the unique species it supports. The historical context of the Komodo dragon's discovery and its status as a protected species are also mentioned, illustrating the island's ecological importance.

💡Table Mountain

Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain overlooking Cape Town, South Africa, and is a popular destination for hiking and sightseeing. The video includes Table Mountain as a natural wonder due to its distinctive shape and the rich ecosystem at the top, which includes a variety of plants and animals, contributing to the sense of a unique natural environment.

💡New7 Wonders Foundation

The New7 Wonders Foundation is the organization behind the campaign to select the New7Wonders of the world. The video mentions a third voting campaign by this foundation, which will be the focus of a future video. The mention of the foundation in the script serves to provide context for the series of videos and the process of selecting wonders.

Highlights

Introduction to the New7Wonders series focusing on natural wonders

The Amazon River and Rainforest's inclusion as a natural wonder

The Amazon's status as debatably the longest river in the world

Biodiversity within the Amazon Rainforest

Deadly creatures inhabiting the Amazon Rainforest

Deforestation affecting nearly 17% of the Amazon Rainforest by 2018

Halong Bay in Vietnam with over 1,600 islands

Mythological origin of Halong Bay involving dragons

Jeju Island in South Korea with the highest mountain and active volcano

Jeju Island as South Korea's only self-governing province

Tourism and land issues on Jeju Island

Iguazu Falls as the largest waterfall system in the world

Ecological measures to limit pollution at Iguazu Falls

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River's underground caves and channels

Komodo Island as the primary habitat of the Komodo dragon

Komodo dragons' unique characteristics and protection status

Table Mountain in South Africa overlooking Cape Town

Diverse wildlife and vegetation at the top of Table Mountain

Upcoming video on the New7 Wonders Foundation's third voting campaign focusing on cities

Transcripts

Welcome to our second video in a new series focusing on the publicly voted on New7Wonders.

Last week’s video covered man-made wonders, while this video covers wonders that are created naturally.

This was an internet poll that concluded in 2011, with over 100 million votes worldwide.

So remember, people voted, which means you may disagree and I didn’t create this list

so don’t get mad at me when your favorites aren’t here.

These are presented in no particular order, let’s dive in.

We begin with what’s debatably the largest river in the world, The Amazon, which counts

both the River itself and the Rainforest.

The river runs almost the entire width of South America, crossing through Peru, Bolivia,

Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil.

I say it’s debatably the longest because the true start and end points of the river

are debated, which may or may not make it longer than the other contender, the Nile River.

The rainforest that follows this river is known for its biodiversity, with one in ten

animal species living in the rainforest.

For birds, it gets crazier, with 1 in 5 species living in the rainforest.

This is also an incredibly deadly environment, including piranhas, anacondas, poison dart

frogs, electric eels, and large mammals such as jaguars.

This land has been a victim of deforestation, with nearly 17% of the forest destroyed by 2018.

We now visit Vietnam and Halong Bay.

This bay is home to over 1,600 islands, created by rising limestone from the water.

Some islands are large and occupied, with hotels and homes and tourism attractions.

Other islands are small, and some are even hollow, with intricate caves and grottos.

The mythological origin story is that dragons were sent to assist the villagers against

invading ships, so the dragons spit forth jade walls to protect the people.

While there’s 1,600 islands, only about 40 have people living on them.

Next up is Jeju Island in South Korea, housing the highest mountain in South Korea, an active volcano.

The volcano erupted about 2 millions years ago, creating the island as we know it, now

flush with forests.

In all of South Korea, this island is the only self-governing province, meaning it is

run by the locals, not the larger South Korean government.

Almost 700,000 people live on this island, with a native language that is also distinct

from the rest of South Korea.

The economy on this island is focused heavily on tourism, though many outside businesses

buy up land and build there, so it’s also a negative factor for the locals that attempt

to run their own businesses.

We now head to South America, to the border of Brazil and Argentina, Igauzu Falls.

This series of waterfalls is the largest waterfall system in the world, flowing through Brazil

but falling into Argentina.

There are a tourist attractions on both sides of the border in which to witness the falls.

To limit pollution, they focus now on using high occupancy vehicles including 72-passenger

double-decker buses to bring people in from remote parking.

If this site looks familiar, it may be because it was used as a location, before being digitally

altered, in 2018’s Black Panther film.

Now to the Phillipines, to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a river which enters a

mountain range and includes a variety of underground caves and river channels.

It’s incredibly difficult to explore, so some areas are completely uncharted.

The underground section is about 5 miles long and holds some of the largest cave rooms in the world.

There’s also a wide variety of animal life in and around this river, including many bats,

pigs, and my favorite animal in the world, the Binturong.

Speaking of animals, let’s head to our next site, Komodo Island in Indonesia.

This is the primary habitat of the Komodo dragon.

There are human inhabitants on this island, about 2,000 in total.

Originally, tales of these dragons included firebreathing and many monster-like qualities,

but Dutch explorers in the early 1900s found and studied them, deciding they were a type

of Monitor, another large lizard.

They were almost immediately declared a protected species, given their unique and limited habitat.

Their massive size is attributed to there being no other predators on these islands,

only prey for them to feed on.

Our last natural wonder is Table Mountain in South Africa, a massive table-like mountain

that overlooks Cape Town.

It’s popular to either hike to the top or to use a cableway that can take them to the top.

At the top of this range, there is substantial life, including massive vegetation and a variety

of wildlife, making this location feel like a whole new world.

And that’s it for our natural wonders.

The New7 Wonders Foundation did a third voting campaign and it’ll be next week’s video,

focusing on seven important cities, voted by the public for these city’s innovation

and accomplishments.

If it’s been longer than a week, you’ll see that video here, otherwise we’ll see

you next Wednesday! Thanks for watching!