The New7Wonders Panel of Experts will be responsible for choosing the 28 official finalists following general criteria and according to five aspects established by the New7Wonders foundation.

Three of these, depends on us:

1. UNIQUE BEAUTY OF THE NOMINATED SITE

We are the deepest canyon of the canyons that compete in our group (Group D: Caves, Rock Formations and Valleys.)

Colca Canyon 4.160 m. deep.
Grand Canyon 1.900 m. deep
Canyon Chicamocha 1.524 m. deep
Sumidero Canyon 1.000 m. deep

If the panel of experts chooses a mountain it’s height will probably be the most important aspect(Mount Everest), in case of waterfalls the most important characteristic will be the width of its fall (Niagara Falls and Iguazú) and if it’s a canyon its depth will be primordial.

We believe that the Colca Canyon and the Grand Canyon are worthy of competing because they both have a greater depth.

RAFTING COLCA RIVER

2. ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE (IN TERMS OF EITHER STAND-ALONE ECO-SYSTEMS AND/OR THEIR SIGNIFICANCE FOR HUMAN BEINGS)

STAND-ALONE ECO-SYSTEMS: The inhabitants of the Colca Canyon farm on the canyon slopes by using ancient technology and the canyon’s habitat is home to an important, substantial and diverse fauna such as Condors, over 150 species of birds, 23 mammals and reptiles.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR HUMAN BEINGS: Our ancestors created an agricultural technology that has not been found anywhere else in the world, due to the difficult geography they used hillsides in order to gain croplands, in its almost vertical walls they constructed terraced fields known as "Andenes" that still provide a livelihood for thousands of families.


COLCA ANDENES

Glaciers (over 30) that stand around the canyon are a source of water for these terraced fields because the Colca River runs so deep that the waters are not used. Melt waters irrigate the land and drain into the canyon, forming impressive waterfalls.

3. HISTORICAL LEGACY (RELATION THAT HUMAN BEINGS AND/OR INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS HAVE OR HAVE HAD WITH THE SITE)

The Colca Canyon has real indigenous Indians still today.

The New7wonders Homepage during the entire campaign had a nice photo of the Grand Canyon with information ffom its official supporting committee formed by the Hualapai Indians.



The People of the Colca Canyon, “Cabana” and “Collagua” Indians exist as a reality, it’s us, the historic legacy of the Incas and other cultures remain today, you just have to search for “people” and “Colca” on the web and you can see their everyday activities, with their everyday garments; we are real people with a culture that we stand by with dignity.


Local mayor and president of the official supporting committee Dr. Jorge Cueva Tejada.


People of the Colca Canyon collecting firewood for cooking.


Elderly ladies of the Colca Canyon in friendly reunion.

Two of these aspects depend on the New7Wonders foundation.

4. DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION (ACCOUNTED FOR IN 7 GROUPS)

5. GEO-LOCATION (28 OFFICIAL FINALISTS EVENLY DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN ALL CONTINENTS)