Do You Know Where In The World To Find These Famous Places?

Urban planning dictates what we encounter in cities. It directs the routes we take, the views we have, the ambiance we experience. All of these statues, buildings, and parks inform how we conceptualize our surroundings. Anyone who likes to travel celebrates the diversity of peoples, tastes, environments, and architecture.

Planned at the centre of many cities is an iconic monument, some so famous they become emblematic of the respective location (especially if the landmark is located on contested territory). In other instances natural parks or geography lends itself to the natural creation or preservation of a revered site, like the Grand Canyon or Machu Picchu. Some of these natural landmarks span over borders. Finally, some places can serve as sober reminders of the horror and violence humans can inflict, like the Auschwitz Museum. It is important to remember these landscapes and icons as long as they are contextualized and given a nuance only history can provide.

The following pictures show locations from every continent besides Antarctica and give a rounded perspective on some of the most important cultural sites. Some date back to ancient civilizations while others were erected only in the twentieth century. All provide a new perspective on our world.

Can you find these famous landmarks and monuments on a map?

Question 1

Christ the Redeemer

This art deco structure of Jesus was created completed on 1931. It stands thirty metres tall and is listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The figure is placed on Mount Corcovado as suggested by a Vincentian priest, Pedro Maria Boss. Obviously, Christianity is the majority religion in this country. The soapstone and concrete Jesus is in the shape of a cross, with his arms stretched out to seemingly embrace the city below him. It weighs more than 635 metric tons.

Question 2

The Great Wall

This fortification is over 13,000 miles long and the majority of what still stands today was built during the Ming Dynasty. However the construction of this project began around the seventh century and was seen as a valuable investment by the first Emperor. The wall is of course seen as a protection, but is also used as a border control for economic exchanges. Builders tried to use local resources to cut out having to relocate all of the materials, so rocks are used in the mountains while rammed earth is used in the prairies.

Question 3

Statue of Liberty

This neoclassical statue was a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States. It commemorates US independence because of the role the French played on the American side and because the US Constitution inspired the French Revolution. It was constructed by both countries, with the French providing the statue and Americans providing the pedestal. The statue was completed in 1886 and inspired the sonnet, "give me your tired, your poor/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free". The lady has inspired songs, poems, and symbolized a welcoming American embrace towards immigrants.

Question 4

Golden Gate Bridge

This suspension bridge links the Northern tip of the peninsula to Marin County. As such, it provides a highway over the strait connecting the bay and the Pacific Ocean. Before this people would travel from Sausalito to the city by ferries owned by the Southern Pacific Railroad. When it opened for use in 1937 it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, spanning 4,200 ft. The Frommer's travel guide named it as certainly the most photographed bridge in the world.

Question 5

Opera House

The Danish architect (Jørn Utzon) who designed the opera house was designated this task after winning an international design competition. The building was finally opened in 1973 after almost twenty years of planning and construction. It contains multiple performance venues and hosts over 1,500 performances annually. The innovative roof structure is generally referred to as layered shells. It is a magnificent sight bordering the harbour and adjacent to the bridge. It is lit up at night and sometimes has pictures projected onto it. It recently became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Question 6

Machu Picchu

This fifteenth century acropolis is situated at an altitude of 7,970 feet. This citadel serves as proof of the complexities of Incan civilization; this city included both an urban and agricultural sector as well as an upper and lower town. It was abandoned in the sixteenth century due to the detrimental influence of the Spanish conquistadors. However it was only rediscovered by the outside world in 1911. It is recognized as both a World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Question 7

Big Ben

Big Ben is located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster and is formally known as Elizabeth tower as renamed in 2012. After a 1834 fire parliament needed to be rebuilt and was designed after a neogothic style. The clocktower itself was designed by Augustus Pugin and was the last design he produced before descending into madness. The clock's movement is famous for its reliability. During the World Wars the clock face was not illuminated to avoid attracting German Zeppelins.

Question 8

Saint Basil's Cathedral

This church has transitioned to a museum and overlooks the Red Square. It was completed in 1561 and commissioned by Ivan the Terrible to commemorate conquests of the Kazan and Astrakhan. It was the world's tallest building until another of Ivan's commissions climbed higher into the sky. The architecture was perhaps a product of national themes and colours blended with influence from the Italian Renaissance. It was a home to a national Orthodox group before a program of state atheism forcefully secularized the church in 1929.

Question 9

Forbidden City

This location was the exclusive city of this country's monarchy for over five hundred years. It now serves as a museum, though previously it housed emperors and was the political centre of this nation. The name of this region is the Forbidden City because subjects could neither leave nor enter without the permission of the emperor. It also went in line with the culture's celestial traditions. With the abdication of the last emperor in 1912, this centre ceased to be an all-powerful location.

Question 10

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls refers to three waterfalls which span across the international border of two countries. The three waterfalls are called Horseshoe falls, the American falls, and the Bridal Veil falls. They are separated by two islands. This natural sight is impressive because of its length and the relative power of water that tumbles into a river flowing to Lake Ontario. In the early nineteenth century it was recognized as a massive source of hydraulic power and the Niagara Falls Power Company developed.

Question 11

Hagia Sophia

Given in Greek above the translated name for this church is "Holy Wisdom". It has housed several religions since its erection in 537 AD, with the last being Islam. This transition took place when the city was conquered by the Ottoman Empire. It finally transitioned into a museum in 1953. It is considered an archetype for Byzantine architecture with the massive dome above the central alter, which was designed by Greek mathematicians. It was the world's largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years.

Question 12

Eiffel Tower

This tower was named after the engineering company who patented its design. It was constructed between 1887 and 1889 for the World Fair and in celebration of this country's revolution. At the time it was the tallest structure in the world and today remains the tallest structure this European city. In 1957 a broadcasting aerial was added to the top. The tower has three levels for visitors with restaurants on the first and second ones; it the most visited monument in the world.

Question 13

The Great Sphinx

The Arabic name for this monument is translated as "Father of Dread". The sphinx is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and head of a human and it reclines on the West bank of the Nile in Egypt. However, the cultural context that surrounds this monument remains a mystery. It is the oldest sculpture in Egypt and is thought to have been built in the Old Kingdom, but the relative ambiguity around its purpose and inspiration has prompted people to refer to it via the Greek legend, the "Riddle of the Sphinx".

Question 14

Trevi Fountain

This is the world's largest baroque fountain. It is placed at the terminus of three roads and marks the ending point of an ancient aqueduct that supplied water to this city. The previous fountain at this juncture was supposed to be reconstructed in 1629 at the behest of Pope Urban VIII, unfortunately the project was never completed. However, many of the sculptors ideas were coopted when Nicola Salvi was given the second commission for this work in 1732. The Trevi fountain was completed in 1762.

Question 15

Kremlin

The Kremlin is a citadel overlooking the Moskva River and the Red Square. It contains the residence of the national President, five palaces, and four cathedrals. The fortified town is atop a hill and so provided protection from invading forces when it was commissioned in 1495. Its construction was organized by Grand Prince Ivan III and included a moat and Italian design influences. Catherine the Great refurbished it and built the modern President's residence in 1773 though the capital had been moved to another prominent city.

Question 16

CN Tower

This communications and observation tower was built on formal railway lands in 1976. Just after its completion it was entirely possible to stand at its base and see Lake Ontario. It was the world's tallest free standing structure for thirty years until being overtaken by Burj Khalifa. In 1995 it was named one of the modern Seven Wonders of the world by the American Society of Civil Engineers. It has been popularized, and become a symbolic icon of this city by that famous rapper from "the six".

Question 17

Kaaba

This building at the centre of Islam's most sacred mosque, it is considered by Muslims to be the bayt Allah, or House of God. In accordance with their geographical place in the world, Muslims always face the Kaaba when performing prayer. One of the tenants of Islam requires that Muslims who have the means must make a hajj pilgrimage and visit this holy site. In this way it is similar to Jews performing birthright. This country issues permits and visas to those wishing to perform the hajj.

Question 18

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal houses the tomb of ancient Mughal emperor's favourite wife. It also includes a mosque, a guest house, is surrounded by massive gardens and is considered the epitome of Mughal architecture. The tomb is at the centre of the complex and is framed by four minarets. As is characteristic of the Mughal empire, many of the tomb's art and decor is of Persian origin. It was completed in 1653 and is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Question 19

Acropolis

A more ancient citadel towers above this Greek city and is the archetype for fortresses overlooking a city. The Greek word acropolis literally means, "highest point" and "city". Not much is known about the ancient origins of the Acropolis until the reign of Pericles during the Golden Age of this city around 460 BC. He commissioned the erection of the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena, the Erechtheion, and the Propylaia. During the Hellenistic and Roman periods these cultural spaces were taken care of.

Question 20

The Gateway Arch

This arch is made of stainless steel and was built as a monument celebrating the Western expansion of the United States. It was imagined in the 1930s and sanctioned by municipal leaders. When there was pushback that the public purse could be used for more practical matters, the politicians and businessmen responded that spiritual needs were important too. It was built with coordination of the cross country railroad. At night the city sometimes lights the arch up and tourists pay to visit the top.

Question 21

Lascaux

This cave was discovered in the first half of the nineteenth century and is decorated with 600 wall paintings depicting large animals and local fauna. The fantastic nature of this discovery was that the paintings are estimated date back to 15000 BC. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since its discovery it has become a mass tourist attraction but the introduction of light, 1200 daily visitors, and different air circulation exposed the paintings to different fungi and molds.

Question 22

Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate was commissioned by a Prussian king to represent peace and unity. It was completed in 1791 and after Napoleon successfully defeated the Prussian armies he victoriously strode through its archways. He took its centrepiece of the horse-drawn chariot back to Paris. When the Prussians eventually defeated Napoleon they restored the Quadriga in their gate. It survived WW2, being co-opted by the Nazis as a national symbol, and the Cold War. So it serves as a reminder of the violent and war-torn history of Europe.

Question 23

Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa has been the tallest building in the world since 2008. The building represents an attempt for this country to diversify its economy away from oil and construct a downtown centre. Its 154 serviceable floors have a multitude of uses, from hotel, residential, offices and more. The spire is designed off of similar, smaller minarets around the region which decrease the cross-section of the tower as it climbs towards the sky. Labour issues were controversial since the building was constructed in reportedly poor working conditions largely by South Asians.

Question 24

Stonehenge

This prehistoric monument was believed to have been constructed between 3000- 2000 BC. It compares well to other Neolithic and Bronze Age burial grounds in England. Archeologists have found deposits of human bone and believe the monument was built upon over hundreds of years before the common era. It was unfortunately produced by a culture without writing, so much speculation has been made about the arrangement of the stones and various construction techniques. In the twelfth century a historian's tale tied the monument to the wizard Merlin.

Question 25

Temple of the Golden Pavilion

Officially named "Deer Garden Temple" in Japanese, this locations history dates back to the fourteenth century. A wealthy landowner willed his villa to be converted into a Zen temple. Unfortunately a fire ruined the original structure so it had to be rebuilt in the 1950's. It was built to match the original stye, incorporating zen, shinden, and samurai architecture. The Golden Pavilion also borrows natural elements, integrating the inside with the outside of the temple though design (like placing it on a shallow lake). It has been recognized as a World Heritage Site.

Question 26

The Leaning Tower

This free standing bell tower is globally renowned for its unintended tilt. It has been angled since the beginning of its original construction in the twelfth century when the softness of the ground affected how the foundation set. The structure began to sink into the earth only after five years after the project started. The identity of the architect is unknown. The tower took almost two hundred years to complete because the process was interrupted with local wars and other complications.

Question 27

Sagrada Familia

This Roman Catholic church began in the later nineteenth century and remains unfinished due to civil war and construction complications. The project was to combine gothic and art nouveau forms, its development continues today. The Church will have three grand facades, one dedicated to the nativity, one to the passion, and one to the glory. Though not yet completed, it has been named a World Heritage Site due to the perseverance and innovative design of the original architect, Antoni Gaudí.

Question 28

Afrikaans Language Monument

This monument, opened in 1975, commemorates half a century of Afrikaans being declared an official language in this nation. Afrikaans is a daughter of the Dutch language, spread here when they colonized this region. It borrows words from other languages, like Bantu, Malay, German and Portuguese and is spoken by many descendent settlers as well as mixed ethnic groups. Afrikaans is the third most spoken language in the country and is used as a lingua franca in neighbouring regions. Unfortunately, native tongues Xhosa and Zulu have not been given official status.

Question 29

Half Dome

This granite face is named for its distinct shape and stands in one of America's most visited national parks. As late as the latter half of the nineteenth century, Half Dome was described as inaccessible to humans, only to be enjoyed from afar. Since then a 8.5 mi trail and stairs have been created and a few brave souls have completed the impossible in scaling the face. The natural monument was called "tis-sa-ack" by local indigenous tribes, named after the mother in a native legend. It featured on a US stamp and it is the default background of every MacBook.

Question 30

Angkor Wat

Angkor was the capital city of the Khmer Empire and its etymology is derived from the sanskrit word meaning city. The city was populated by at least .1% of the world's population from 1010-1220. It is situated on a Great Lake, with thousands of temples surrounding its centre. Angkor served as a religious and cultural centre whose decline is sometimes linked to the adjacent rise of Theravada Buddhism. The abrupt downfall of this empire in the fifteenth century is also speculated to have been caused by natural disasters or plague.

Question 31

Auschwitz Museum

This museum was founded in 1947 when Europe was attempting to come to terms with the horrific Nazi machine and how much innocent blood was spilled. The museum commemorates those lives lost and provides research into the Holocaust. For almost forty years the museum was directed by one of its founders and former inmates, Kazimierz Smoleń. National exhibits for every individual who died in Auschwitz are allowed. However these rights are prohibited from homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, Sinti and Roma, and Yeniche people. Over the gate the sign reads, "arbeit macht frei"or work makes you free.

Question 32

Potala Palace

Potala Palace was the residence of the Dali Lama until the fourteenth Dali Lama fled to India in 1959. It was erected by the 5th Dali Lama in 1645 whose advisor mentioned the site would serve as an ideal seat of government. Though the external structure was completed in only three years, the interior took over forty to complete. Potala Palace is built at an altitude of 12,100 ft. and is now as a museum and a World Heritage Site.

Question 33

Teotihuacán

This ancient Mesoamerican city is thought to have hosted a population of over 125,000 in and around 250 AD. It is significant both for the architecture of its pyramids which revere the Sun and Moon gods and for the multi-residential family compounds surrounding the main avenue. Though its civilization is considered to have lasted until 700-800 AD, its major monuments were destroyed and burned around 550 AD. The later Aztecs co-opted the ruins and folded pieces of Teotihuacano culture into their own.

Question 34

Kölner Dom

This Roman Catholic cathedral is set in Germany and serves as the seat for an Archbishop. It is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and was was constructed through stages from the twelfth century to the nineteenth century. Due to this long building period, the cathedral contains treasures from its earliest founding date. It is known for the shrine of the three kings (traditionally believed to carry the remains of the three wise men), the High Alter, and the Gero-Kreuz, one of the world's oldest crucifixes.

Question 35

Blue Domed Church

This Church is located on one of the Greek islands. A volcanic explosion destroyed the land which linked many of these islands and likely caused the extinction of Minoan civilization around 1500 BC. Now there only remains the chain of these Greek islands. For this reason some people believe this place to be the lost city of Atlantis. The white buildings and cobblestone streets make you think you were in a different time. The church above definitely makes you feel like you should be wearing linen and drinking white win in the sun.

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