Christ the Redeemer

 5. Christ the Redeemer

Watching over and protecting Brazil's bustling metropolis of Rio de Janiero (January River), Cristo Redentor, or Christ the Redeemer as it is known in English, has welcomed us with open arms since 1931, and has since become synonymous with the South American continent.

The art deco statue stands 2,310 feet (710 meters) above sea level, atop Corcovado Mountain, in the Tijuca National Park, and affords spectacular vistas of Rio city, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the crescent-shaped bay of sprawling Copacabana Beach.

But why has this religious relic not featured more prominently up the list? Well, for me if you put the symbolism and lovely location aside, the structure itself is just not as impressive as the others. Comparing it to a similar icon - The Statue of Liberty, it is 2/3 of the age and 1/3 of the size - which leads me to ponder why Lady Liberty is also not a World Wonder. I was just left feeling a little underwhelmed. Then again, perhaps this undercurrent flows from Rio's bountiful beauty, and I had already been spoiled by Sugarloaf and its seductive scenery.