While the world is full of wonderful, important cultural destinations, there are a few sites with such rich history that they rank above the rest. Few works of architecture that still see modern use are as breathtaking as the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. The palace, a UNESCO World Heritage location for more than three decades, was first constructed in the 1600s for Emperor Shah Jahan's deceased wife. The area hosts as many as 4 million visitors every years.
Other historical landmarks are revered for their sense of ancient mystery. The enormous statues found on Easter Island off the coast of Chile are all that remain of a primitive tribe that was lost to diminishing resources and war. Finally, countries that once were home to ancient civilizations like Rome and Egypt feature a number of important historical sites. The Parthenon in Greece is particularly impressive, having stood in the same place since the fifth century BC.