Every November 11, the proclamation of the New 7 Wonders of Nature is commemorated that, in 2011 and after overcoming a global filter of more than 1 billion votes (through the internet and SMS text messages), redefined tourism and environmental conservation on the planet.
On November 11, the official day of the New 7 Wonders of Nature is celebrated, in commemoration of that day in which the final results of the historic world vote were revealed.
The initiative, driven by the New7Wonders foundation (cired by Bernard Weber), began a long journey with more than 400 places nominated in its first instance. After successive filters, the figure was reduced to 261 candidates, then to 77, and finally a panel of experts selected the 28 finalists who contested the last stage.
With more than 1,000 million votes cast by people around the globe, the sites consecrated as Wonders of Nature are:
* Iguazu Falls (Argentina/Brazil)
* Jeju Island (South Korea)
* Puerto Princesa Underground River (Philippines)
* Komodo Island (Indonesia)
* Table Mountain (South Africa)
* Ha Long Bay (Vietnam)
* Amazonia (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela).
A before and after for the planet
A decade and a half after that announcement, the authorities of each region agree that the badge marked a turning point. Global recognition not only boosted an exponential growth in the arrival of visitors, but also attracted investments in infrastructure, generated new sources of employment and, most importantly, raised awareness of the urgency of protecting these unique ecosystems.