Classification of attractions and landmarks

Wondermondo hates classification and categorization. World is too beautiful and too diverse and it is interesting just because it can not be fully comprehended. Who has heard about the classification of wonders?

But the enormous number of wonders without any classification would lead to chaotic congregation of information. And there is little sense for information if it can not be found. Thus Wondermondo offers own system of classification.

Categories

Categorisation of the wonders of the world is complex issue as there many ways making these wonders amazing and unique.

The list below is made throughout several years of work - sometimes extending it to more than 100 categories and sometimes even approaching an illusory feel of order. It is not complete so far and will be updated upon necessity.

The list of categories bears no unified principles and many landmarks of the world fit into several categories. One principle though has remained strict - every valuable monument of the world would fit at least into one of these categories.

Many categories have also subcategories - here are listed those which are met most frequently.

1. Natural landmarks

1.1. Impact craters

Detectable scars on the surface of Earth left by a body coming from the outer space. Category includes also meteorites - natural objects from the outer space.

1.2. Volcanoes

• Geothermal features

1.3. Rock formations

• Cliffs
• Canyons and ravines
• Natural arches
• Rock spires
• Monoliths
• Boulders

1.4. Caves

Natural underground spaces which are large enough for human to enter.

• Sinkholes - large natural depressions or holes, for most part - collapsed caves.

1.5. Springs

Natural sites where water, other liquids and/or gases reach the surface of the Earth, including locations under water.

• Geysers - hot springs which at more or less regular intervals shoot up a fountain of boiling water and steam.
• Thermal springs - springs which have significantly higher temperature than the medium yearly temperature of their localities.
• Mineral springs - springs which contain dissolved substances and can have an altered taste and various other characteristics.
• Subaquatic springs
• Spring terraces

1.6. Waterfalls

Locations where a river abruptly changes its elevation.

• Rapids - sections of rivers with steep riverbed.

1.7. Rare natural materials

• Gemstone finds

1.8. Fossil finds

• Early human finds

1.9. Ecosystems

Areas with unique, uniform environmental conditions and specific communities of life.

• Animal colonies - locations with permanent or regular gatherings of animals.

1.10. Trees

The most impressive and interesting separate trees of the the world.

1.11. Sites of meteorological phenomena

Locations with unusual meteorological conditions or phenomenona.

2. Man made landmarks

2.1. Settlements

Locations where permanently or temporary on a regular basis lives a community of people.

• Cities and towns - currently inhabited urban areas.
• Ancient cities and towns - urban areas which existed more than 1500 years ago.
• Abandoned cities and towns - former urban areas which have been abandoned.
• Rural settlements - contemporary settlements outside urban areas.
• Prehistoric settlements - settlements which developed before the urbanization, before the development of civilizations.

2.2. Fortifications

Structures which have been built for military defence.

• Walls - largest fortifications, enclosing larger regions and even whole states.
• Fortified settlements - settlements whose area is / was defended by defensive works.
• Fortresses and forts - fortifications enclosing a garrison.

2.3. Residential buildings

• Castles
• Palaces

2.4. Religious architecture

Structures which have been built for worship and/or which serve for religious purposes.

• Churches - buildings which serve for the Christian worship.
• Christian monasteries - buildings or complexes of buildings where live, work and pray Christian monks or nuns - people practising religious asceticism.
• Islamic shrines - locations for worship in Islam.
• Hindu shrines - locations for Hinduist worship.
• Buddhist shrines - locations for Buddhist worship. Includes Buddhist monasteries - buildings or complexes of buildings where live, work and pray Buddhist monks.
• Judaism monuments - Jewish houses of prayer (synagogues) and the Temple in Jerusalem.
• Jain shrines - locations for Jain worship.
• Other contemporary shrines - shrines and temples of other contemporary religions.
• Ancient shrines - shrines and temples of former religions, also abandoned and ancient sites of worship of the contemporary religions.

2.5. Ancient burials

2.6. Monuments and memorials

• Ancient monuments and memorials

2.7. Parks and gardens

2.8. Megaliths

Structures made of large stones by ancient cultures, without any mortar or cement. In general, this does not include structures built by developed and well expressed cultures like the Romans or Maya but rather the more ancient cultures.

2.9. Cairns

2.10. Geoglyphs

2.11. Petroglyphs and rock art

2.12. Rock cut architecture and sculptures

Outstanding rock cut architecture and large rock cut sculptures. In order to be included in this category landmarks should be made of single piece of natural stone without moving this material from its original place.

2.13. Industrial architecture

• Bridges and tunnels
• Mills and powerplants

3. Landmarks of general nature

3.1. Museums

3.2. Sites of legends

3.3. Observation spots

3.4. Extremes