Mt. Mayon

Mt. Mayon (Albay, Philippines) - Rank 09 as of June 13, 2008
Mayon Volcano, also famous as "Perfect Cone" due to its almost perfectly cone shaped figure, is an active composite volcation which is located about 15 kilometers of Legaspi City, in the province of Albay.

The volcano got its name after a maiden, "Mangayon" which means beautiful. This main landmark of the province of Albay stands 2462 meters high from the Albay Gulf. The upper slopes of the volcano are steep averaging 35-40 degrees and are capped by a small summit crater. On its sides, layers of lava and other volcanic material are found.Alternate pyroclastic and lava flows brought about the formation of its symmetric cone. Mt. Mayon is part of the "Pacific Ring of Fire", just like other volcanoes located around the rim of the Pacific Ocean.

With about 47 times eruptions in the past 400 years, it is the most active volcano in the country. The first recorded eruption was in 1616, and the latest was a quiet eruption on 2006. The eruption on February 1, 1814 is considered the most destructive where the volcano was belching dark ash. The town of Cagsawa got buried when the volcano bombarded the town with tephra. The result, only the bell tower of the town's church remained above the new surface. This also resulted to burnt trees and damaged rivers. Ashes spitted by the volcano which accumulated to about 9 meters in depth, also affected proximate areas and resulted to a number of 2,200 perished Albay natives. Lasting seven days of raining fire, the longer eruption recorded on June 23, 1897 .

Despite all these discouraging facts, the volcano is still regarded as an ideal destination for an ultimate climbing. On July 20, 1938, it was proclaimed a National Park by President Manuel L. Quezon. The area is abundant with varieties of rare and endangered flora. Among them are the Nepenthes rajali, commonly known as pitcher plant, and Cyatheaceae spp or tree ferns which were listed in the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Specied (CITES).

While many aspires to reach its summit, PHILVOCS (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology) advises visitors who have come only for sightseeing to stay at the viewpoint located at the mid part of the volcano. For more adventurous and dedicated climbers, make sure to consult with PHILVOCS for the precise volcanic activity. Accompanied by an experienced guide is also recommended. It would take about 2 days to get to the top and go back down the volcano. Those who love to get a great picture of Mt. Mayon, and enjoy the relaxing and refreshing warmth of hot spring baths can head to the town of Tiwi. Other activities visitors can indulge in includes bird watching and camping. A visit to Albay's ancient churches, caves Camalig, and beaches within the area are other points of interest.

The information featured here are from the following web references. You may check the links for additional information, including travel details and photo galleries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayon_Volcano
http://www.mayonecotourism.ph/
http://www.camperspoint.com/article.php3?id_article=19
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/53247/index.html

To vote for Mt. Mayon for the New 7 Wonders, visit:
http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/nominees/asia/c/MayonVolcano/

To vote for other nominees, and for current live ranking information, visit:
http://www.new7wonders.com/
or
http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/liveranking

The following images are from the following web sites:

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/53247/index.html

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/82298/index.html

http://www.camperspoint.com/article.php3?id_article=19

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls, Waterfall (ZAMBIA/ ZIMBABWE) - Rank 35 as of June 13, 2008
The Victoria Falls also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya (name used by local people) is a waterfall situated in southern Africa between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is one of the major tourist attractions in Africa, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. By some measures, the falls are considered the largest waterfall in the world. The claim is not based on it being the highest or widest, rather, it is due to it being 1.7 kilometers wide, and 108 meters high, which forms the largest sheet of falling water in the world.

Shared by Zimbabwe and Zambia, both countries have a national park to protect the falls with their respective tourism centers: Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and Livingstone in Zambia, and Victoria Falls National Park and the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

With the unusual form of Victoria Falls allows a face-on view of virtually its whole width, at the same level as the top, from as close as 60 metres, due to the whole Zambezi River dropping into a deep, narrow slotlike chasm, connected to a long series of gorges.

When the full width of the river plummets in a single vertical drop into a chasm that is 60–120 metres (200–400 ft) wide, results in the formation of the falls. First Gorge which is the depth of the chasm, varies from 80 meters at its western end to 108 meters in the center.

Two large islands, Boaruka Island (or Cataract Island) near the western bank, and Livingstone Island near the middle, located on the crest of the falls divide the curtain of water.

During the dry season, the number of islets on the crest increases, and also becomes wide. During the month of September to January, up to half of the rocky face of the falls may become dry, and the bottom of the First Gorge can be seen along most of its length. This makes it possible to walk across some stretches of the river at the crest, though this is not necessarily a safe thing to do. It is also possible to walk to the bottom of the First Gorge at the Zimbabwean side.

Visitors can do a number of activities, one of which, the 'Flight of Angels' which provides a fabulous vista of the falls, the upstream river and its many islands. Microlighting which provides stunning views of the Fall will be enjoyed by more adventurous people. One of the very popular adventures is rafting the wild rapids below the Falls. Visitors can also go kayaking, Canoeing and fishing. Land based activities includes a guided safari walk, horseback riding, and a lunch on Livingstone's Island, an energy regaining activity.

Information/Facts:
- Located in Livingstone, Zambia and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
- Standing 108 meters in height
- Flowing an at average rate of 1088 cubic meters/second

Principal Gorges:
- First Gorge: where river falls into at Victoria Falls
- Second Gorge: (spanned by the Victoria Falls Bridge), 250 m south of falls, 2.15 km long
- Third Gorge: 600 m south, 1.95 km long
- Fourth Gorge: 1.15 km south, 2.25 km long
- Fifth Gorge: 2.55 km south, 3.2 km long
- Songwe Gorge: 5.3 km south, 3.3 km long, (named after the small Songwe River coming from the north-east)
- Batoka Gorge: about120 kilometres long, it is the gorge below the Songwe (Batoka is also used as an umbrella name for all the gorges).

The information featured here are from the following web references. You may check the links for additional information, including travel details and photo galleries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Falls
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/509
http://www.places.co.za/html/vicfalls.html

To vote for Victoria Falls for the New 7 Wonders, visit:
http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/nominees/africa/c/VictoriaFallsWaterfall/

To vote for other nominees, and for current live ranking information, visit:
http://www.new7wonders.com/
or
http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/liveranking/

The following images are from the following web sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Falls

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/509

Tubbataha Reef

Tubbataha Reef (Palawan, Philippines) - Rank 2 as of June 13, 2008
The name 'Tubbataha' is the Samal (dialect of Sulu Archipelago) word for "long reef exposed at low tide". Samals are seafaring people of the Sulu Sea and are one of the few people who have accessed the Park in early 1980's. Cagayanen people who are more geographically associated with Tubbataha Reefs referred the Park as 'gusong'.

Tubbataha Reef has been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site (see http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=653 and/or http://www.wcmc.org.uk/protected_areas/data/wh/tubbata.html)

The national park covers some 33,200 hectares, located in the middle of the Sulu Sea about 150 kilometres southeast of (and 12 hours by boat from) Puerto Princesca, the capital city of Palawan island. It is the largest coral reef and the only National Marine Park in the Philippines. It houses variety of marine creatures which includes whale sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, dolphins, tuna, jackfish, colorful reef fishes, and seahorses. About 300 coral species, and at least 40 families and 379 species of fish were recorded to be seen at the park.

The information provided above and sample pictures featured below are from the following web references. You may check the links for additional information, including travel details, and photo galleries.

http://www.tubbatahareef.org/ (Tubbata Reef's Official Web Site) http://www.pbase.com/kleine/tubbataha_reef

To vote for Tubbataha Reef for the New 7 Wonders, visit:
http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/nominees/asia/c/TubbatahaReefReef/

To vote for other nominees, and for current live ranking information, visit:
http://www.new7wonders.com/