Civilization 7: Complete Guide to Natural Wonders and Their Bonuses

In Sid Meier’s Civilization 7, players can discover an array of Natural Wonders scattered throughout the map, which are essential for enhancing civilization development and growth. Presently, there are twelve distinct Natural Wonders, each offering unique bonuses that can strategically impact gameplay and influence players’ tactical decisions.
These Natural Wonders will appear randomly on different maps, with variations in the number of Wonders based on the type and size of the map. To unlock the benefits provided by any Natural Wonder, players must develop the respective tiles by placing a Population during a Growth Event on the hex that hosts the Wonder. Below is an overview of all twelve Natural Wonders and their accompanying bonuses in Civilization 7.
12. The Grand Canyon
Culture, Happiness, & Science
The Grand Canyon stands as one of the most significant Natural Wonders in Civilization 7, spanning four tiles. It grants substantial bonuses to Happiness, Science, and Culture based on Age and Settlement development. Players who settle on the canyon’s edge and develop a Population on its tiles during a Growth Event can enjoy a boost of +2 Happiness and +2 Culture per Age.
Additionally, any Flat Terrain tiles within the same Settlement benefit from a +2 Science yield. To maximize growth potential, players should establish Expedition Bases on all Grand Canyon tiles early in the game.
11. The Great Barrier Reef
Food, Happiness, & Science
The Great Barrier Reef is an oceanic Natural Wonder that spreads across four horizontal tiles, enhancing the yields of adjacent Marine tiles along with other resource bonuses. Typically discovered during the Exploration Age, its benefits are most pronounced in maps featuring Distant Lands.
By settling nearby, civilizations gain +2 Happiness, +2 Food, and +2 Science per Age, and adjacent Marine tiles receive a +2 Science bonus. Establishing a Fishing Town and deploying Fishing Boats on all adjacent tiles can significantly increase Science yields.
10. Golden Waterfall
Culture, Food, & Production
Inspired by Iceland’s striking Gullfoss waterfall, this Natural Wonder bestows players with an impressive +6 Food boost to their Settlement, significantly accelerating Population growth. Beyond food production, it also offers +1 Culture and +1 Production to all adjacent rural tiles, encouraging optimal placement of Farms and other improvements.
Moreover, Gullfoss supplies Fresh Water, making it a desirable location for settlement and Population expansion.
9. Hoerikwaggo
Culture, Food, & Happiness
Modeled after Cape Town’s Hoerikwaggo mountain range, this Natural Wonder significantly boosts adjacent Quarters, offering +2 Happiness for tiles bordering the mountain. Additionally, players benefit from +2 Culture and +4 Food per Age, promoting rapid City development.
Strategically building cities around the Hoerikwaggo area allows players to take full advantage of its growth potential.
8. Igazu Falls
Food, Happiness, & Production
Set on the Argentina-Brazil border, Igazu Falls ranks among the largest waterfalls worldwide, renowned for its substantial water flow. This Natural Wonder is ideal for those seeking to enhance both Production and Population growth within their Settlement.
Like Gullfoss, Igazu Falls provides Fresh Water and offers +4 Food and +2 Happiness per Age, while also delivering a +2 Production boost to adjacent Quarters, positioning it as a pivotal asset in any strategy.
7. Mount Kilimanjaro
Food, Happiness, & Production
As Africa’s tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro is unique due to its volcanic activity, which poses a potential risk for settlers. The mountain’s Volcano tiles regularly erupt, causing damage to adjacent buildings but also offer one-time yield bonuses, making Mount Kilimanjaro a high-risk, high-reward location.
With +2 Production and +4 Happiness per Age, the benefits gained from this Natural Wonder may outweigh the risks, as damaged structures can be repaired for a reasonable cost.
6. Redwood Forest
Culture, Food, Happiness, Production, & Science
The Redwood Forest, home to the world’s tallest trees, provides a diverse range of bonuses, making it one of the most rewarding Natural Wonders in Civilization 7. It offers +2 Food, +2 Happiness, and +2 Production per Age, alongside a +1 Science and +1 Culture bonus to all Vegetated Terrain tiles within the Settlement.
This makes the Redwood Forest a strategic asset, facilitating significant improvements across multiple resource types.
5. Thera
Culture, Food, & Happiness
Thera, reminiscent of the volcanic island of Santorini, erupts frequently, offering one-time yields similar to Mount Kilimanjaro. However, it is positioned in Oceanic tiles and grants a generous +2 Happiness and +4 Culture per Age, making it particularly valuable for achieving a Cultural Victory.
Creating Expedition bases on Thera amplifies the advantages and boosts Community growth within nearby Settlements.
4. Torres Del Paine
Food, Happiness, & Movement
Comprising three prominent peaks, Torres del Paine is an impressive Natural Wonder that enhances unit mobility by allowing them to traverse Rough Terrain without movement penalties. This advantage is particularly beneficial for early-game exploration.
Players settling near Torres del Paine will also receive a bonus of +4 Happiness and +2 Food per Age, bolstering Settlement growth as they make use of the terrain’s unique capabilities.
3. Uluru
Culture & Happiness
Holy to the Aboriginal people, Uluru is an ancient Australian formation that enhances Settlements in its vicinity by providing a +2 Culture bonus to Desert Terrain. Notably, it also offers a high Happiness boost of +6 Happiness per Age, making it especially advantageous for civilizations that operate in arid environments, like Egypt.
2. Valley of Flowers
Food, Gold, Happiness, & Trade
Ideal for players focusing on an Economic Victory, the Valley of Flowers grants a +10 range for Land Trade Routes. This allows increased Merchant activity and facilitates establishing connections with more distant Settlements or City-States. Its strategic advantages make it a crucial asset for any civilization’s economic expansion.
1. Zhangjiajie
Culture, Happiness, & Production
Finally, Zhangjiajie in China’s Hunan region is known for its dramatic rock formations. It provides +2 Culture for Rough Terrain tiles within the Settlement. Additionally, civilizations benefit from a valuable +2 Happiness and +4 Production bonus per Age, particularly useful for managing cities surrounded by complex terrain.
In summary, the presence of Natural Wonders in Civilization 7 greatly enhances the player’s potential for success by offering significant bonuses that evolve with the progression of Ages. These bonuses are fundamentally valuable across various strategic approaches, making it essential for players to explore early in each Age and develop Settlements to maximize the benefits of Naturals Wonders.
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