Pull up a Chair

Since Table Mountain became a contender for a spot in the 7 Wonders of Nature, everyone has been pulling up a chair at the table that everyone is welcome at. Voters have outdone themselves and as a result, Table Mountain has made it into the next round that paired down the original 261 magnificent natural sites to just 77. But the good news doesn't end there, after parading in swim wear for the panel of experts South Africa's landmark mountain made it into the top 28.

I think the best advice those highly competitive people can offer you is to know your competition. If it wasn't for an article of News24, I would have no idea who the other contestants are in the Mountains and Volcanoes category. So here goes...a little look and then decide for yourself...



The Matterhorn - this mountain in the Pennine Alps is often called the iconic emblem of this legendary mountain range. At nearly 4,500 metres, it is one of the Alps' highest peaks and lies on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Known in German as the Matterhorn, in Italian as Cervino and as Cervin in French, this peak is one of the great north faces of the Alps. As deadly as it is beautiful, The Matterhorn as claimed over 500 lives since it was first tackled in 1865.

Mount Kilimanjaro - Africa's highest mountain is located in Tanzania with the highest peak reaching 5,891 metres. Mount Kilimanjaro includes three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, but don't panic - none have ever erupted in recorded history. As one of the largest stratovolcanoes in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro is made up of numerous layers of lava, tephra and volcanic ash. The only volcanic activity recorded includes the emission of gases from fumaroles on the main summit of Kibo.

Mount Olympus - Known as Óros Ólimbos on Greek maps, this is the highest mountain in Greece at 2,919 metres. With a base located at sea level, Mount Olympus is also one of the highest mountains in Europe. Located in Macedonia, any climbing expedition would start in the town of Litochoro and traverse a rich floral kingdom along the way. The mountain is also prominent in Greek mythology as the "home of the gods" - the Twelve Olympians or principal gods of the ancient Hellenistic world. Mount Olympus also shares its name with a more out-of-this-world mountain - Olympus Mons (Latin for Mount Olympus) on planet Mars.

Mud Volcanoes in Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia (in case you also didn't know) and is home to nearly 300 of the world's 700 mud volcanoes. Mud volcanoes are formations that were created by geo-excreted liquids and gases. The biggest mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan are Galmas, Toragay and Big Kanizadag. Most of them have a cone shape with heights that vary from 20 to 400m and bases that can be between 100 and 4500 metres in diameter.

Table Mountain - we know our own famous mountain needs little introduction, but a few facts never hurt anyone. Located in Cape Town in South Africa, Table Mountain's highest point is marked by Maclear's Beacon at 1,086 metres above sea level - about 19 metres higher than the cable station! The mountain's original name was Hoeri 'kwaggo (sea mountain) according to the San people, but today it is an icon for all South Africans.

Vesuvius in Italy - Known as Monte Vesuvio in Italian, Mount Vesuvius' reputation precedes it. This stratovolcano located east of Naples in Italy is the only volcano on the European mainland to have erupted within the last hundred years. The most destructive eruption in AD 79 obliterated the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum and killed between 10,000 and 25,000 people. With a population of three million living nearby and many subsequent eruptions, Mount Vesuvius is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world.

Yushan - also known as Jade Mountain or Yu Mountain, Yushan is a national park and central mountain range in Chinese Taipei with the highest point of the range towering 3,952 metres above sea level. The park is also known for its diverse wildlife and ecology and the environment around Yushan itself spans from sub-tropical forests at its base to alpine conditions at its peak.

Unfortunately not all of these incredible mountains made it through to the next round. Take a look at the new list of finalists.

Now it is up to you again. Voting has once again opened to the public and you have the power. To vote for Table Mountain visit www.new7wonders.com or call 0041 77 312 4041 and select Table Mountain's four-digit code 7725.

You can show your support in another way too...log onto www.hummba.com and upload a clip about Table Mountain to share with the world!