Famous landmarks of the world, region by region
Quick answer: The world’s most famous landmarks include the Pyramids of Giza (Egypt), Petra (Jordan), the Eiffel Tower (France), the Taj Mahal (India), the Great Wall (China), Machu Picchu (Peru) and the Statue of Liberty (United States).
Middle East and North Africa
The Pyramids of Giza are the only surviving wonder of the ancient world. Petra, carved into rose-red rock by the Nabataeans, is Jordan’s most visited site. Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock and Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world at 828 m, are also icons.
Europe
The Eiffel Tower in Paris was built for the 1889 World’s Fair. Rome’s Colosseum held up to 50,000 spectators, and Spain’s Alhambra in Granada is a masterpiece of Andalusian architecture.
Asia
India’s Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum built by Shah Jahan. China’s Great Wall stretches thousands of kilometres, and Cambodia’s Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world.
The Americas
Machu Picchu is an Inca citadel high in the Andes of Peru. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States, and Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer overlooks the city from Corcovado mountain.
Landmarks by region
A quick reference:
| Region | Landmarks |
|---|---|
| Middle East | Petra, Dome of the Rock, Burj Khalifa, Pyramids of Giza |
| Europe | Eiffel Tower, Colosseum, Acropolis, Sagrada Família |
| Asia | Great Wall, Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat, Mount Fuji |
| Africa | Victoria Falls, Kilimanjaro, Great Mosque of Djenné |
| Americas | Machu Picchu, Statue of Liberty, Christ the Redeemer |
| Oceania | Sydney Opera House, Uluru |
Record-breaking landmarks
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, at 828 metres, has been the world’s tallest building since 2010. The Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest human-made structure for nearly 4,000 years. The Great Wall of China stretches for thousands of kilometres across northern China.
Landmarks of Palestine and the Levant
The Levant is home to some of the world’s oldest sites. In Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock, completed around 691, is one of the oldest surviving works of Islamic architecture. Jericho is often described as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Petra in Jordan, carved into rose-red rock by the Nabataeans, and the Roman ruins of Baalbek in Lebanon are among the region’s most famous sites.
The New Seven Wonders
In 2007 a global vote chose the New Seven Wonders of the World:
| Wonder | Country |
|---|---|
| Great Wall | China |
| Petra | Jordan |
| Christ the Redeemer | Brazil |
| Machu Picchu | Peru |
| Chichén Itzá | Mexico |
| Colosseum | Italy |
| Taj Mahal | India |
The Great Pyramid
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that still stands. It was given honorary status in the 2007 vote.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous landmark in the world?
The Eiffel Tower and the Pyramids of Giza are usually ranked as the most recognised.
What are the New Seven Wonders of the World?
The Great Wall, Petra, Christ the Redeemer, Machu Picchu, Chichén Itzá, the Colosseum and the Taj Mahal.
What is the tallest building in the world?
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, at 828 metres.
Where is Petra?
In southern Jordan.
What are the New Seven Wonders?
The Great Wall, Petra, Christ the Redeemer, Machu Picchu, Chichén Itzá, the Colosseum and the Taj Mahal.
Which ancient wonder still stands?
The Great Pyramid of Giza.