Zurich-based New7Wonders Foundation was established in 2001 to help protect the world's natural and human-built heritage. Its search for the world's new natural wonders began in 2007 and was decided by the votes of millions of people worldwide via website new7wonders.com.

Results of the first count of the global vote were announced last week. The winners are provisional until the votes are checked, validated and independently verified and when scrutiny is completed early next year, the official inauguration events will begin.

The winners are: Brazil's Amazon region; Cape Town's Table Mountain; Iguazu Falls in Argentina; Halong Bay, Vietnam; the Puerto Princesa Underground River on Palawan in the Philippines; Indonesia's Komodo National Park; and Jeju Island.

Most are familiar names but where on Earth is Jeju Island? About 64km off the southern tip of the Korean peninsula, less than two hours by plane from Seoul, Jeju is South Korea's largest island.

Spectacular volcanic scenery, waterfalls, mountains, forests, caves, superb beaches and milder weather have made Jeju a favoured destination for Korean honeymooners and tourists from China and Japan.

[Via] Adelaid Now