Table Mountain's New7Wonders status confirmed
Anyone who has been on a South Africa travelling adventure will already know that the country's Table Mountain is one of the most magnificent natural sights anywhere in the world.
But now this has been officially confirmed, after the famous South African landmark was last week granted New7Wonders status.
Table Mountain had already been provisionally included among the list of seven of the world's greatest natural treasures, after voting closed in November last year.
But now the landmark's place has been confirmed following an extensive audit by the list's compilers.
Commenting on the news, Sabine Lehmann, chairperson of the Table Mountain Official Supporters Committee, said she hopes it may lead to more people discovering the mountain and surrounding area for themselves.
"Visitor numbers to Table Mountain reached record numbers after the mountain was named on the provisional list of seven sites in November," she said.
"We expect the official confirmation to further boost visitor interest locally and abroad."
A commemorative plaque will be officially presented by New7Wonders to Table Mountain in October this year, alongside an inauguration ceremony.
The New7Wonders campaign ran for over three years, with voters from over 220 countries around the world taking part.
Patricia de Lille, Cape Town's mayor, hopes its inclusion on the list will help Table Mountain gain even more attention from visitors from home and abroad.
"The New7Wonders title has great long-term marketing value for Cape Town and South Africa. The wonder becomes part of school curricula, it becomes a 'must see' and a 'bucket list' item for travellers and explorers," she said.
Towering more than 1,000 metres above Cape Town, Table Mountain is renowned for the distinctive expansive plateau which gives it its name.
The spectacular views it provides, as well as the beautiful landscape of the surrounding national park, makes Table Mountain extremely popular with hikers, nature lovers and travellers in general.
