A hundred million internet votes can't be wrong. The Seven Wonders of the World now comprise: the Great Wall of China, Jordan's ancient rock city Petra, Brazil's Statue of Christ Redeemer, the hilltop city of Machu Picchu in Peru, Mexico's Chichen Itza pyramid, the Colosseum in Rome and India's Taj Mahal.
In addition, the Great Pyramid of Ghiza, the only one of the original list of seven wonders compiled by Greek scholar Antipater of Sidon more than 2,100 years ago that is still standing, was made an 'honorary wonder'.
The winners were announced at a star-studded show at Lisbon's Benfica stadium following what is likely to be the biggest ever online poll.
'Never before in history have so many people participated in a global decision,' declared actress Hilary Swank at the presentation.
It should have been a simple enough exercise: ask the world to chose its favourite heritage sites. Instead the vote, organised by a little-known Swiss film-maker and businessman, sparked vicious rivalry, bickering, backstabbing and allegations of corruption among the 21 finalists.
The Vatican accused the organisers of 'suspiciously' ignoring Christian monuments. Others complained of foul play - especially by the Jordanians who launched a national campaign to get the voters to their keyboards and the Peruvians who linked government websites to the virtual voting booths. 'That's the equivalent of being the only candidate to bus your supporters to the polling station,' said one disgruntled Australian official.
The Chinese government backed its own best-known landmark. 'China's Great Wall missed an opportunity 2,000 years ago when the Greeks named the Seven Wonders of the World. It would be extremely regretful if it became an also-ran this time,' the Academy of the Great Wall in Beijing said in a statement. And it looked like Mexico's aggressive campaign had also paid off. 'I cannot turn on the TV, read the newspapers or go on the internet without being reminded of the fact that I need to vote for Chichen Itza. I would be proud as a Mexican if it was chosen', Josefina, 45, an officer worker in Mexico City, told The Observer
But Lucero Montes, a reporter for La Reforma newspaper, warned that if the Mayan city was chosen, 'new visitors will potentially damage the site'.
In France, inquiries were met with bureaucratic certainty. 'This is an international issue and we look after the national heritage,' said a spokesman for the ministry of culture. In London, a spokesman for the department of culture said that the UK government 'had not done anything'. 'If people want to vote, well then that's up to them,' he said. Neither Stonehenge nor the Eiffel Tower, both included among the 21 original candidates, made it on to the shortlist of seven.
Angkor Wat, the massive Cambodian temple complex, also missed out. Tourist officials in Phnom Penh pointed out that not enough people in their poverty-stricken country have access to the internet.
Among the contenders
Acropolis, Greece
Hagia Sophia, Turkey
Kremlin, Russia
Colosseum, Italy
Neuschwanstein, Germany
Eiffel Tower, France
Stonehenge, Britain
Alhambra, Spain
Great Wall of China
Kiyomizu Temple, Japan
Sydney Opera House
Angkor, Cambodia
Taj Mahal, India
Timbuktu, Mali
Petra, Jordan
Statue of Christ Redeemer, Brazil
Easter Island, Chile
Machu Picchu, Peru
Pyramid at Chichen Itza, Mexico
Statue of Liberty, US