15 Landmarks Everyone Should Get Right, And 15 Only Travel Buffs Will Know
- by Chris Roberts
- – on
- in Lifestyle
The world is a big place with more than 100 countries rich in history and culture; even the most avid traveler with money to spare would need years to see every prominent site and landmark in the world. In the United States alone, there's Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, the Washington Monument, and Freedom Tower, and that's only scratching the surface. You could spend months traveling the country before seeing every major sight on your bucket list. Then there's Canada, which is actually bigger than the United States, albeit with significantly less people, and offers scenic mountain and ocean views as well as unique prairie land. North America alone has plenty to offer, but you're far more likely to enjoy the historical landmarks and settings in Europe, Asia, and South America.
One blogger tracked his world travels for one year and found it cost $13,317.44, although that figure didn't include fights and he had plenty of free housing opportunities. Even with that low figure, he only visited 15 different countries. Fortunately, it's not necessary to travel the world to see and have knowledge of its most recognized landmarks as we have the Internet. Moreover, many of these are taught in high school history and geography courses.
What landmark is this?
Located in the New York Harbor, this gigantic neoclassical sculpture has come to represent American ideals and serve as a symbol of the country, but it was actually given as a gift to the United States by France in 1886. Up until 1916, members of the general public could access the balcony around the torch held by the robed Roman liberty goddess, but it has since been barred for safety. Since 1933, the monument has been maintained by the National Park Service. The copper statue is 151 feet in height and was designated as a United States National Monument in 1924.
What landmark is this?
Formerly known as the Collegiate Church of St. Peter at Westminster, this England-based Gothic church is regarded as one of the most iconic buildings in the United Kingdom and has long served as the burial site for British monarchs. The land on which the building stands was occupied since 1080, according to a Benedictine monk, and construction on the building that stands today began in 1245 as ordered by King Henry III. It was rebuilt in 1517 and later expanded upon throughout the 18th century.
What landmark is this?
This 102-story, 1,454-feet skyscraper is the fifth tallest in the United States and sixth tallest freestanding structure in the Americas. It was completed in 1931 and named after the nickname of the state in which it exists. Upon its completion, it was the world's tallest building ahead of the Chrysler Building and 40 Wall Street and maintained that status for roughly 40 years until the North Tower of the World Trade Center was constructed. It is a popular tourist attraction with an estimated four million visitors per year.
What landmark is this?
This fortified complex in the city center of Moscow overlooks the Moskva River as well as prominent landmarks like Saint Basil's Cathedral, Red Square, and Alexander Garden. It includes five palaces and four cathedrals, including the Dormition Cathedral, as well as a guarding wall and numerous towers. It also serves as a symbol of political power as the official residence of the Vladimir Putin and past presidents of the Russian Federation. The 27.7 hectares complex was constructed between 1482 and 1495.
What landmark is this?
Also known as the Flavian Amphitheater, this oval-shaped building has a long history dating back to early Roman times as it was built between 70 and 80 AD and, at its full capacity, was capable of holding up to 80,000 spectators. Located east of the Roman Forum, it is the largest amphitheater ever built and was most commonly used for public spectacles such as animal hunts, executions, and re-enactments of classic battles. However, it is best associated with gladiator contests.
What landmark is this?
Located in Arizona, this 277-mile long landmark also stretches up to 18 miles wide at certain locations. Certain aspects of its history and geology are debated by geologists, but it is known to have been carved out by the Colorado River beginning more than six million years ago. The area had been inhabited by Native Americans who established settlements in nearby caves, while the first European explorer to discover the landmark is believed to be Spaniard Garcia Lopez de Cardenas.
What landmark is this?
This multi-venue building located in Australia stands out for its unique architecture, which has made it one of the most recognizable landmarks in both the country and the world. It was designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon and opened to the public on October 20, 1973 after a 15-year engineering and construction phase that included several setbacks and cost overruns. Today, the building hosts more than 1,500 performances across a broad spectrum of arts and welcomes more than 1.2 million visitors per year.
What landmark is this?
Formerly a fortress built in the 1420s by King of Denmark Eric of Pomerania, this landmark was rebuilt in the 1570s into a picturesque Renaissance castle with the goal of making it stand out in both appearance and size compared to others in Europe. It was partially destroyed by a fire in 1629 and was mostly put back together by 1639, but was conquered by the Swedish army in 1658. It has since served as a prison and occupied by the Danish military. It opened the the public as a tourist destination in 1938.
What landmark is this?
This is where it pays to pay attention as we previously mentioned this unique structure as being part of Red Square in Moscow located near the Kremlin. Once a church, it was confiscated from the Russian Orthodox as part of the Soviet Union's program of state atheism in 1928 and has since operated as a secularized museum run by the Russian Federation. Construction on the building broke ground in 1555 and it was crafted to resemble the flame of a bonfire rising into the sky.
What landmark is this?
A 1,815-foot communications and observation tower located in the heart of downtown Toronto next to the Rogers Center baseball stadium, this tower takes its name from the railway company that constructed it in 1976, however it has since been transferred to the Canada Lands Company. It was the world's tallest free-standing structure from 1975 to 2007 and is now the ninth-tallest tower in the world and designated as one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
What landmark is this?
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for its status as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage," this unique symbol of India's heritage is located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh and is visited by upwards of eight million people per year. It was constructed by 1653 for a total of 32 million rupees, which today equates to roughly US $827 million. It is set around a 980-foot Mughal garden and bordered by three red sandstone walls.
What landmark is this?
Based in London, England, this historic landmark serves as the administrative headquarters and residence of the monarch of the United Kingdom and has long been associated with events of mourning and rejoicing in the United Kingdom. It was originally built in 1703 and was acquired by King George III 58 years later to serve as a private residence for Queen Charlotte, during which time it became known as The Queen's House. It now has 775 rooms and is home to the largest private garden in London.
What landmark is this?
Sponsored by Coca-Cola, this famous English landmark is a giant ferris wheel stands 443 feet tall with a diameter of 394 feet. Upon opening to the public in 2000, it was the world's largest ferris wheel, but has since been surpassed by three other ferris wheels, including the 550-foot tall High Roller in Las Vegas, which was completed in 2014. It's more than just a ferris wheel, however, as it serves as the second-highest public viewing spot in all of London and is the most popular for-profit tourist attraction in the UK.
What landmark is this?
Bordering the United States and Canada near Buffalo, New York and Ontario, this group of three waterfalls (Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and American Falls) combine to form the highest flow rate of all waterfalls throughout North America and has a vertical drop extending beyond 165 feet. The falls were formed during the last ice age when water from the Great Lakes cut a path through an sscarpment toward the Atlantic Ocean. The area surrounding the falls on both sides of the border is complete with various tourism-related sights and shops.
What landmark is this?
Construction on this historic landmark began as early as the 7th century BC and continued for thousands of years to come. The first series of walls were built to protect the host empire against invasions from enemies and nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe, while the majority of the existing wall that remains today was constructed throughout the Ming Dynasty from 1368 to 1644. It has served for defense, immigration protection, and trade purposes throughout the years and is currently estimated as extending 13,171 miles.
What landmark is this?
Featured prominently in popular culture (film, TV, music, etc.), this impressive monument includes sculptures of former presidents and American founding fathers George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson. Located in South Dakota, the idea for the sculpture was conceived by historian Doane Robinson, who originally wanted the sculptures to depict American West heroes like Red Cloud, Buffalo Bill Cody and Lewis and Clark. Construction began in 1927 and the presidents' faces were complete by 1939. It attracts more than two million tourists per year to South Dakota.
What landmark is this?
Most people know this famous landmark by its nickname (which is what we're looking for), but it has actually been called Elizabeth Tower since 2012 and was previously known as the Clock Tower. The neo-Gothic style tower itself was designed by Augustus Pugin and completed by 1859; at the time, it was the world's largest four-faced striking and chiming clock standing at 315 feet tall with clock dials 23 feet in diameter. While the origin of its nickname is debated by historians, it has been speculated to be either named after a former heavyweight boxing champion or one of the men who oversaw its installation.
What landmark is this?
A four-side tapering monument with a pyramid-like top, this structure is atop the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and was originally built to commemorate the first President of the United States. Made of granite, marble, and bluestone, it is the world's tallest stone structure at a height of 554 feet and was the world's tallest structure from 1884 to 1889. It was designated by the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1966 and today it is surrounded by 50 American flags that circle the large structure.
What landmark is this?
Based in Giza, Egypt, this limestone statue depicts a giant mythical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion, the former of which is said to depict the Pharaoh Khafre. It is believed to have been cut from bedrock as early as 2558 BC and currently measures 240 feet long from its paw to tail and 66 feet from its base to the top of its head. After being partially buried by sand for centuries, it was entirely excavated in 1936 following a series of archeological digs led by Emile Baraize.
What landmark is this?
Located in Italy, this freestanding bell tower is named after its unintended slant, which first showcased during construction in the 12th century as a result of an inadequate foundation on soft ground on one side of the structure. The tilt continued to increase throughout the following centuries, but was partially corrected and stabilized in the late 20th and early 21st century. The tower itself stands 183 feet from the ground on its lower side and 185 feet on the higher side.
What landmark is this?
A world-renowned wrought iron lattice tower located in Paris, France, this beautiful structure was named after the engineer whose company designed and built it for the 1889 World's Fair. Surprisingly, it was criticized by prominent artists and intellectuals at the time, but has since come to be one of the most prominent symbols of France as well as one of the most paid-to-see tourist attractions in the world; an estimated 6.91 million people ascended the 1,064-foot tower in 2015 alone.
What landmark is this?
Spanning the Abegwelt Passage of Northumberland Strait, this eight-mile bridge sits 40 meters above water on 62 piers and was constructed from 1993 to 1997 as a link between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island (PEI). It was known by locals during construction as the Fixed Link and maintained by Strait Crossing Bridge Limited, but was eventually given its official name by the Canadian government in recognition of PEI's importance in the creation of Canada. The bridge cost $1.3 billion to construct.
What landmark is this?
A theme park located in Anaheim, California with similar locations in Florida and throughout Europe, this park first opened on July 7, 1955 and was the only one of its kind built under the supervision of the founder of the brand in which it was named after. That man, whose name would give away the answer if we provided it, originally created the concept for the park after years of taking his daughters to unmemorable amusement parks throughout the 1930s and 40s. As of December 2017, it has welcomed more than 708 million visitors.
What landmark is this?
An archeological site outside of Cairo, Egypt, this landmark is comprised of three pyramid structures and is surrounded by the Great Sphinx, an industrial complex, a workers' village and multiple cemeteries. These tombs have long served as a symbol of Egypt among members of Western society and was first popularized in Hellenistic times, when they were listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Moreover, it stands as the oldest ancient wonders and remains the only one still in existence.
What landmark is this?
The official residence of the leader of the United States, this building has been home to many famous men and their first ladies. Construction on the building was complete by 1800 and Thomas Jefferson became the first leader to reside there when he moved in the following year. Thirteen years later, the house was burned down by the British Army forces from Canada in the War of 1812. It was listed by the American Institute of Architects as second on its "America's Favorite Architecture" rankings.
What landmark is this?
The name of this famous German castle loosely translates to New Swanstone Castle. It was built in the 19th century in Bavaria to serve as home for the King of Germany, but opened to the public shortly after his death in 1886 and has since welcomed more than 61 million tourists, including an average of 1.3 million per year as of late. More recently, it has attracted as much as 6,000 people per day during high-volume tourism months in the summer.
What landmark is this?
An historic fortress in Scotland, this landmark is believed to have been established as early as the second century AD with the castle being formed and occupied since the 12th century, first by David I and later by other royals up until 1633. It has since served the purpose of a military barracks and was central to Scotland's strategy during the Wars of Scottish Independence and the Jacobite rising of 1745. It currently stands as the country's most-visited paid tourist attraction with an average of more than two million visitors per year.
What landmark is this?
Even if it hadn't been featured in the opening credits of Full House, it shouldn't be too difficult to identify this iconic landmark and bridge structure located in California and connecting San Francisco to Marin County. It is one of the most recognizable structures in the state and even adorns the logo of the Golden State Warriors NBA team. Moreover, it is both the world's tallest and longest suspension bridge with a height of 746 feet and a length of 4,200 feet.
What landmark is this?
This New York-based attraction and landmark is known by most for its grand-scale New Year's Eve parties, but actually serves a real purpose as not only a tourist destination by a commercial intersection and entertainment district in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. It maintains the nickname of "The Center of the Universe" and "Crossroads of the World" for being one of the most busy pedestrian areas in the world. It was formerly known as Longacre Square, but renamed in 1904 after the New York Times moved its headquarters to one of the newly-established buildings in the area.
What landmark is this?
Canada's answer to the White House, this area of Crown land is situated along the southern banks of the Ottawa River in the nation's capital of Ottawa, Ontario. It was first a military base in the 18th and early 19th century, but developed for government purposes in 1859 after Queen Victoria named Ottawa the capital of the then-Province of Canada. In addition to its national importance for government, it is a popular tourist destination with an estimated three million visitors per year.