Monuments and Landmarks
Since at least the building of Göbekli Tepe 11,000 years ago, humans everywhere have built structures of size and grandeur: from the Cahokia Mounds to Chichen Itza, from Great Zimbabwe to Angkor Wat, from St. Basil's Cathedral to Petra to the Sydney Opera House. These structures and monuments stand testament to human ingenuity and culture. Learn about the history of major structures, endangered places, famous buildings, bridges and landmarks, including the Seven Wonders and more.
The World's Biggest, Tallest, and Longest
Select structures have the proud distinction of being the largest of their kind, whether by necessity (as in the case of some dams) or by design. In terms of length, height, volume, or area, these architectural projects are the best. Read on to learn more about the structures that rise above the rest (physically), and to learn a bit more about some of those that did in the past.
World's Largest Hydroelectric Plants
World's Tallest Skyscrapers: A Brief History
Top Ten Tallest Completed Building Projects
Tallest Buildings in the World Slideshow
America's Monuments and Landmarks
The United States is a rather young country, but that hasn't hampered the construction of its many remarkable monuments. From the completion of major projects like the Gateway Arch in St. Louis (the world's tallest manmade monument) and the Empire State Building, to the many famous memorials like the Lincoln Memorial in D.C., the United States has plenty to wonder at. Learn more about some of the highlights, and about the risks some of these sites face.
The Statue of Liberty: Facts, History & Profile
The Golden Gate Bridge: Facts, History & Profile
The Grand Canyon: Facts, History & Profile
The Washington Monument: Facts, History & Profile
Slideshow: Landmarks of Washington, D.C.
Slideshow: Statues of Washington, D.C.
Longest U.S. Suspension Bridges
Tallest Buildings in the United States
America's Most Endangered Places 2015
America's Most Endangered Places 2014
Other Famous Landmarks
There's more to a meaningful monument than just its size. Some structures are remembered for their historical importance, the unique circumstances of their construction, or their sheer beauty. Many of these are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, or are selected by local culture groups and tourism boards.
Famous Ship Canals and Waterways
Famous Buildings and Structures
The Seven Wonders of the World
The most famous selection of these impressive sites is the Seven Wonders of the World named by Philo of Byzantium in the second century BCE. After campaigns of Alexander the Great, Greek travelers began wandering and writing down the most impressive sights. Philo's contemporaries also often cited the Walls of Babylon and the Ishtar Gate. All seven wonders only existed at the same time for sixty years before some of them began collapsing, and today the Great Pyramid of Giza is the only one that survives.
Since then, many people have adopted the "Seven Wonders" format to make their own lists of remarkable structures. Some of the most famous are the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers, or the Seven Wonders of the World from the New7Wonders Foundation.
The 7 Wonders of the World for 2022
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
The Seven Wonders of the Modern World
7 Wonders of the Modern World Slideshow
7 Wonders of the Ancient World Slideshow
Miscellaneous
In addition to our other info, be sure to check out these links to learn more about the history of architecture, and to see what other relevant questions our editors have answered.
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