Sundarbans

Bangladesh, India

The Sundarbans delta, at the mouth of the Ganges river, is the largest mangrove forest in the world, spreading across parts of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. The Sundarbans features a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests. The area is known for its wide range of fauna, with the Royal Bengal tiger being the most famous, but also including many birds, spotted deer, crocodiles and snakes.

Ambassador praises PPUR at UN HQ in New York

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON JULY 15, 2011 IN PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER

The headquarters of the United Nations is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking New York's East River.

The Philippines Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan, has urged support for the campaign to name the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one of the New7Wonders of Nature.

“The Puerto Princesa Underground River is truly a marvel of nature and deserves to be included in this list of new seven wonders of nature,” Ambassador Cabactulan said.

He continued: “We urge Filipinos and the many friends of the Philippines around the world to support the campaign for the Puerto Princesa Underground River. With this vital support, we can help ensure that the Puerto Princesa Underground River is indeed duly recognized for the marvel that it truly is.”

The Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations has provided a link on its website as part of its support for the campaign.

Tourist arrivals triple thanks to N7W PPUR promotion

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON JULY 26, 2011 IN PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines.

Traffic into and out of Puerto Princesa Airport has increased so dramatically that public representatives in the island province of Palawan in the Philippines are calling for an urgent upgrade of the facility. Tourist arrivals have tripled due to the promotion of the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign, according to an article in the Manila Bulletin.

Puerto Princesa International Airport (Filipino: Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Puerto Princesa) serves Puerto Princesa City. It is classified as an international airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. The cost of the proposed expansion and upgrade project of the terminal is estimated at US$97.78 writes the Manila Bulletin:

“This will involve the construction of new landside facilities in the north western side of the existing runway such as passenger terminal building, control tower, administration & operation building, cargo terminal building, rescue & fire fighting building and other support facilities, the construction of new apron and connecting taxiways, upgrading of the existing 2.6-kilometer runway and its strip, and the provision of new navigational and traffic control equipment.”

PP Underground River

Philippines

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. It features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The underground river is reputed to be the world's longest. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water's edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave.

Mud volcanoes come to school in Baku

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON APRIL 15, 2011 IN MUD VOLCANOES

The wonderful world of volcanic mud in Azerbaijan

According to the Azerbaijani business information portal ABC.AZ, the Institute of Geology of National Science Academy of Azerbaijan held an open day on Tuesday for pupils of Baku school No.160 during which the students familiarized themselves with mud volcanoes and how they are created.

Among the institute’s core competencies is the study of the mud volcanism phenomenon.

At the event, the Director of the Geology Institute Akif Alizadeh told the pupils about the peculiarities of geology and science, as well as the history of the institute’s development. “Within the event the pupils visited different departments and labs of the institute, got familiar with the institute’s information base on mud volcanoes, earthquake zones as well as compute forecasting of movement changes and other processes in the earth crust,” reported ABZ.AZ.

Azerbaijan and its Caspian coastline are home to nearly 400 mud volcanoes. In 2001, one mud volcano, 15 kilometres from Baku, made world headlines when it began spitting flames 15 metres high.

Mud Volcanoes

Azerbaijan

The term mud volcano or mud dome is used to refer to formations created by geo-excreted liquids and gases, although there are several different processes which may cause such activity. It is estimated that 300 of the planet's estimated 700 mud volcanoes are found in Gobustan, Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea. In Azerbaijan, eruptions are driven from a deep mud reservoir which is connected to the surface even during dormant periods, when seeping water still shows a deep origin. Seeps have temperatures up to 2–3 °C above the ambient temperature. In 2001, one mud volcano 15 kilometers from Baku made world headlines when it suddenly started spewing flames 15 m high.

Azerbaijan

The term mud volcano or mud dome is used to refer to formations created by geo-excreted liquids and gases, although there are several different processes which may cause such activity. It is estimated that 300 of the planet's estimated 700 mud volcanoes are found in Gobustan, Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea. In Azerbaijan, eruptions are driven from a deep mud reservoir which is connected to the surface even during dormant periods, when seeping water still shows a deep origin. Seeps have temperatures up to 2–3 °C above the ambient temperature. In 2001, one mud volcano 15 kilometers from Baku made world headlines when it suddenly started spewing flames 15 m high.

Hobbit and rugby this year in New Zealand

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON JANUARY 10, 2011 IN MILFORD SOUND

The magical, mystical landscape and seascape of Milford Sound

The “Holiday destinations for 2011” picked by the Telegraph range from “the glories of New Zealand’s Middle Earth to the medieval charms of Tallinn”. What does New Zealand have to offer this year?

“Filming for the highly anticipated two-part adaptation of The Hobbit, the forerunner to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, begins this year. After much legal wrangling, New Zealand’s glorious natural landscapes will once again serve as the backdrop to Middle Earth, providing further inspiration to explore such unspoilt sites as Milford Sound and the Tongariro National Park. The country will also be hosting the Rugby World Cup in September and October.”

The Telegraph links to the specialist travel company Exodus, which offers a 19-day adventure tour of New Zealand, visiting all the major cities and attractions, including Milford Sound.

Manukura reminds us how special nature is

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON MAY 29, 2011 IN MILFORD SOUND

Manukura

A rare white kiwi chick that was born at New Zealand’s Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre on 1 May, weighing 250 grams, has been named Manukura by elders from the Rangitane o Wairarapa iwi. Manukura means “of chiefly status”.
Rangitane chief executive Jason Kerehi said tribal elders saw the white chick as a “tohu” or “sign” of new beginnings. “Every now and then something extraordinary comes along to remind you of how special nature is,” Kerehi told the New Zealand Herald.

Kiwi are flightless birds found only in New Zealand. The kiwi is a national symbol of the country and the term “Kiwi” is used all over the world as the colloquial nickname for New Zealanders. Milford Sound represents New Zealand in the New7Wonders of Nature

Milford Sound

New Zealand


Milford Sound, located in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island, is located within the Fiordland National Park.
It runs 15 km inland from the Tasman Sea and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1200 m or more on either side.
Among its most striking features are Mitre Peak, rising 1,692 m above the sound, the Elephant at 1,517 m and resembling an elephant’s's head, and Lion Mountain, 1,302 m, in the shape of a crouching lion.
Lush rain forests cling precariously to these cliffs, while seals, penguins and dolphins populate the water.

Matterhorn/Cervino

Italy, Switzerland

The Matterhorn/Cervino is perhaps the most familiar mountain in the European Alps. On the border between

Switzerland and Italy, it towers over the Swiss village of Zermatt and the Italian village Breuil-Cervinia in the

Val Tournanche. The mountain has four faces, facing the four compass points, respectively, with the north
and south faces meeting to form a short east-west summit ridge. The faces are steep, and only small patches
 of snow and ice cling to them; regular avalanches send the snow down to accumulate on the glaciers at the base of each face

Masurian Lake District

The Masurian Lake District or Masurian Lakeland  is a lake district in northeastern Poland containing more than 2,000 lakes. It extends roughly 290 km eastwards from the lower Vistula River to the Poland-Lithuania border and occupies an area of roughly 52,000 square kilometers. The lake district was shaped by the Pleistocene ice age. Many of its hills are parts of moraines and many of its lakes are moraine-dammed lakes.

All of Maldives buzz about New7Wonders of Nature campaign

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON NOVEMBER 30, 2009 IN MALDIVES

The magnificent Maldives

Zurich/Switzerland — In this serene island country, famed for its white beaches and diverse underwater ecosystem, New7Wonders has captivated the population!

As part of the campaign to make the Maldives one of the Official New7Wonders of Nature, the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board conducted a survey in mid-November to determine the level of awareness and interest amongst the Maldivian people. An amazing 94.9% said that they are aware of the global election, and more than eight out of ten respondents said that they have voted for the Maldives.

“Seeing so many Maldivians express their pride at being one of the elite 28 Official New7Wonders of Nature Finalists is terrific. This national awareness will be a huge asset as people spread the word to family, friends and visitors, and it brings the country together. Such excitement at home is a perfect base for a successful global campaign,” notes Tia B. Viering, Head of Communications for New7Wonders.

Recently, another creative initiative that also called attention to the New7Wonders Finalist status was President Mohamed Nasheed’s underwater cabinet meeting, held in October to underscore the archipelago’s fragility.

Islands of the Maldives

The Maldive Islands make up an island nation consisting of 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean. They are located south of India’s Lakshadweep islands, about 700 kilometers south-west of Sri Lanka. The Maldives encompass 1,192 small islands, roughly two hundred of which are inhabited.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s Komodo National Park includes the three larger islands Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller ones, for a total area of 1,817 square kilometers (603 square kilometers of it land). The national park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon. Later, it was also dedicated to protecting other species, including marine animals. The islands of the national park are of volcanic origin.
Jusuf Kalla was the 10th Vice President of Indonesia from 2004 to 2009 and Chairman of the Golkar Party

Former Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla and a group of more than 70 businessmen, public figures and journalists are visiting Komodo Island today to support its candidacy in the New7Wonders of Nature.

“If Komodo Island becomes a New Seven Wonder, it will be a great boost for the island and will improve the welfare of local people,” Kalla, who has recently been appointed an ambassador for the island, told The Jakarta Post. “More and more tourists will visit the island and it will show a good image of Indonesia.”

Jusuf Kalla believes that the New7Wonders of Nature campaign is bringing “substantial benefits to the nation and lift the name of the Indonesian people.” Increasing the popularity of Komodo can only have positive impact on tourism and economy of Indonesia, especially East Nusa Tenggara, he says, adding: “And most importantly this is a good moment to bring together the spirit of the Indonesian people to victory with by sealing the wonder island of Komodo in the international community as one of the New7Wonders of the Nature.”

Indonesians simply need to type KOMODO and send it to 9818 via Telkomsel, XL and Indosat to cast their vote.

The Komodo dragon, Varanus komodoensis, is found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang and Gili Dasami. A member of the monitor lizard family (Varanidae), it is the largest living species of lizard, growing to a maximum of length three metres and weighing up to around 70 kilograms.


The Komodo dragon is found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang and Gili Dasami.

Komodo

Indonesia

Indonesia’s Komodo National Park includes the three larger islands Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller ones, for a total area of 1,817 square kilometers (603 square kilometers of it land). The national park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon. Later, it was also dedicated to protecting other species, including marine animals. The islands of the national park are of volcanic origin.

Kilimanjaro

Tanzania

Snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most famous and highest freestanding mountains in the world, rising from the north-eastern part of Tanzania. Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 metres (19,336 feet) high above sea level. Kilimanjaro comprises 3 volcanoes of which the most famous (and the most recent), snow-capped dormant Kibo stands at 5,895 m (19,455 ft). The mountain is situated in the Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania. The trek crosses five distinct vegetation zones, namely lower slopes, rainforest, heath and moorland, alpine and desert and the glaciers/summit. Within each zone there is an association between altitude, rainfall, temperature, plants and animals. The name Kilimanjaro, is thought to be a combination of the Swahili word Kilima, meaning “mountain,” and the Kichagga vernacular language word ’Njaro’, translated as “whiteness,” giving the name White Mountain itself.

Jeju Island

Korea (south)

Jejudo is a volcanic island, 130 km from the southern coast of Korea. The largest island and smallest province in Korea, the island has a surface area of 1,846 sqkm. A central feature of Jeju is Hallasan, the tallest mountain in South Korea and a dormant volcano, which rises 1,950 m above sea level. 360 satellite volcanoes are around the main volcano.

Beautiful Nature

Divers at the entrance of the newly-discovered underwater cave at Jeita Grotto. Photo: Dr.-Eng. Nasir

Lebanon thrilled by new discovery at Jeita Grotto

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2011 IN JEITA GROTTO


The discovery of a new underwater cave at Jeita Grotto is being hailed in Lebanon as a major speleological breakthrough. The entrance was first detected in early 2004, and a team of volunteer divers has since been working to clear access to the room. Joe Khoury, Joseph Sharbine and Habib Haddad have used the latest technology to investigate the cave, and create a 3D map of its waterway.

Dr. Nabil Haddad, general manager at Jeita, feels that the discovery will help Lebanon’s campaign in the New7Wonders of Nature. “It’s a wonder of nature every time you find something new,” he told the Daily Star. He believes that in the future there will be even more discoveries, and hopes that the research team will attempt to find out more about the underground network beneath the Nahr al-Kalb Valley, an important source of drinking water in Lebanon.

Haddad thinks that Jeita Grotto is well placed to become one of the New7Wonders of Nature. “We hope we have a good chance, as we are one of the 28 finalists,” he said. “But we still need a lot of support from Lebanese, both inside the country and across the diaspora, as it’s such small country.”