Historical sites are the wonders of the world. These ancient sites were constructed by our ancestors and give us windows into our past. They help tell us where we come from, how we though, and how we developed. They gives us information about societies long since dead but not forgotten. There are many historical sites in the world but the four best are Machu Picchu, Tikal, Angkor Wat, and the Pyramids. Each of these places are the remnants of once vast and powerful cultures and give us clues into human development.

Machu Picchu- Meaning "Old Peak", this site is situated thousands of kilometers above sea level. This place is located high up in the Andes mountains and was once part of the Incan Empire. It is a world heritage site that needs to be preserved as it is considered to be a sacred place by the local people. Not much is known about the site as it seemed to be abandoned only a few hundred years after use but many theorize it was a summer home for the Incan king. Every year, millions of people venture over the Incan trail to see this ruin.

Tikal- Situated within the Central American jungles, Tikal's archeology and architecture, flora and thick forests are a popular tourist destination. Tikal is a world heritage site with beautiful temples that give us a peak into the lives of 7th century Mayans. Tikal was one of the biggest city states in the region and was once the most powerful Mayan state. It was lost to the jungle for centuries and has only been excavated over the last few decades. Many of its buildings still remain under the forest. The crowds here don't come until mid-day so in the mornings, this wonderful place is all yours.

Angkor Wat- Angkor Wat and the Angkor temple complex are the most visited tourist attractions in the world. People come from all over the world to see the remains of this lost city. It has been featured in many movies and everyone is familiar with it. Located in Cambodia, Angkor was once the capital of the Khmer civilization. Built in the 12th century, there are hundreds of temples and structures here to explore. The most famous is the main temple of Angkor Way, Bayon, and Te Phrom, the last being featured in the movie Tomb Raider. Make sure you come early to beat the crowds.

Pyramids- Pyramids are the most appreciated buildings that have stood the test of time. Situated in Egypt on the banks of river Nile, pyramids are a major tourist attraction. There are many pyramids in the world and around Egypt but when people talk about the pyramids, they are talking about the great pyramids of Giza. These three giants give us insights into the ancient Egyptian culture, one of the oldest in the world. For a small fee, you can even explore the insides of these great structures, which take back over five thousand years.

There are many historical sites in the world that are important and should be visited by tourists. However, these four are by far the most popular and the biggest. They see the most tourists and get the most fame. Tourism is very beneficial to places in the world but it's also important to remember to conserve and protect these sites too. When you go visit, make sure you do your best to keep these places safe for future generations.

Matthew Kepnes has been a travel writer for over two years now and has visited many of these historic sites and written about them for many magazines and online publications. For more information about many of the world historical sites and about Angkor Wat, visit Matt's website on the subject http://www.worldhistoricalsites.com/angkor-wat/.