The Empire State Building is a legend. Built in the midst of the Depression, it was, and still remains a testament to American fortitude and ingenuity.
An international icon, it has been visited by more than 117 million people, who come to marvel at the 80-mile view into New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Built in 1930 to be the tallest structure on earth, the Empire State Building was then considered the largest commercial venture and investment ever.
The façade is composed of more than 200,000 cubic feet of Indiana limestone and granite, and utilizes several setbacks to offset the optical distortion of its 102-story height.
Construction took just over 18 months.
On a Saturday morning in July 1945, a US B-25 Bomber crashed into the 79th floor offices of the Catholic War Relief Services. Fourteen people died. Despite suffering some fire damage and a 20-foot gash, the Empire State building opened back up for business on Monday.
Decorated with enormous bronze medallions celebrating the craftsmen responsible for the building, and a metal mosaic featuring the building as the center of the universe, the lobby is without peer.
The lobby is a five-story Art Deco masterpiece crafted in rich granite and marble, and highlighted by brushed stainless steel.
Tallest building in the world from 1931 - 1972; surpassed by One World Trade Center.
The Empire State Building was constructed on the site of the former Astoria Hotel.
Excavation began on January 22, 1930.
Construction started on March 17, 1930.
Cornerstone was laid on September 17, 1930 by former New York governor Alfred E. Smith.
Framework rose at the rate of 4 1/2 floors per week.
The masonry was completed on November 13, 1930.
President Herbert Hoover officially opened the building on May 1, 1931 by pressing a button from the White House that turned on the building's lights.
Declared Landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission on May 18, 1981.
Listed on State & National Register of Historic Places on December 20, 1982.
Regained city's "tallest" title September 11, 2001.
Houses over 1,000 businesses with its own ZIP Code.
Declared a National Historic Landmark on October 23, 1986.
Initially the building was intended to have a flat roof until a "hat" or metal-plated tower on top of the building was designed. It initially served double duty as a zeppelin mooring mast and an observatory.
The metal-plated tower on top of the building was planned as a zeppelin port. Yet it was used for only one zeppelin landing because the winds were too strong at such heights making mooring dangerous and also because the golden age of zeppelins was quickly slipping into the past.
A broadcasting antenna was added to the building in 1951 putting the almost vacant metallic tower at the top to use as a storage area for broadcasting equipment.
During planning stages the construction death toll was estimated to be one worker per floor, or over 100 workers overall. However, only a handful of workers lost their lives during construction.
During construction of the steel frame, eating facilities were set up on appropriate floors to cater for the workers.
The building incorporates 10 million bricks, 1,886 kilometres (1,172 miles) of elevator cables, 6,400 windows and weighs 331,000 tonnes.
The tower was one of the first to employ the then new fast-track construction technique.
At least 32 people jumped to their deaths off the observation deck on the top during the deck's operation.
Soon after opening it became a major tourist attraction, attracting many famous people, including the French Prime Minister, Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, Pope Pius XII, Fidel Castro and Queen Elisabeth II, to name a few. The only one known to have refused Alfred E. Smith's invitation was Walter P. Chrysler.
As a popular symbol of the city and its spirit, the building has been featured on countless artistic impressions of the city; for instance, the building has been featured on album covers of music of nearly every genre, from jazz of the thirties to hip hop of the '00s.
Constructed with 60,000 tons of structural steel.
There are 1,575 steps from the lobby to the 86th floor.
The building was completed about a month and half ahead of schedule and about $5 million under budget.
The Empire State Building is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers.
Wednesday 16 November 2011
Tuesday 15 November 2011
The Canadian National Tower
The CN Tower has been declared one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. It also belongs to the World Federation of Great Towers.
It was built in 1976 by Canadian National Railway (CN) who wanted to demonstrate the strength of Canadian industry by building a tower taller than any other in the world it was the world’s tallest freestanding structure until 2007 when it was surpassed by the Burj Dubai building in Dubayy (Dubai), U.A.E. The tower was originally designed as a radio and television transmitting antenna. There are microwave receivers for distant signals at about 305 meters, and the top of the transmission antenna is at the apex of the tower.
At 553.33 meters (1,815.39 feet), the Canadian National Tower is the world's tallest free-standing land structure. The CN Tower is located in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and is considered the signature icon of the city.
At 342 m is the Glass Floor and Outdoor Observation Deck, at 346 m are Horizons Cafe and the Indoor Observation Deck, and at 351 m is the 360 Restaurant, which rotates once every 72 minutes. Food is extremely expensive. (Don't plan on just ordering drinks and an appetizer -- read the fine print before you get on the elevator.)
The Sky Pod (a tiny enclosed platform elevated high above the main observation floor) is located at 447 m, and is the highest public observation deck in the world. Admission to the Sky Pod requires payment of an extra charge.
It was built in 1976 by Canadian National Railway (CN) who wanted to demonstrate the strength of Canadian industry by building a tower taller than any other in the world it was the world’s tallest freestanding structure until 2007 when it was surpassed by the Burj Dubai building in Dubayy (Dubai), U.A.E. The tower was originally designed as a radio and television transmitting antenna. There are microwave receivers for distant signals at about 305 meters, and the top of the transmission antenna is at the apex of the tower.
At 553.33 meters (1,815.39 feet), the Canadian National Tower is the world's tallest free-standing land structure. The CN Tower is located in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and is considered the signature icon of the city.
At 342 m is the Glass Floor and Outdoor Observation Deck, at 346 m are Horizons Cafe and the Indoor Observation Deck, and at 351 m is the 360 Restaurant, which rotates once every 72 minutes. Food is extremely expensive. (Don't plan on just ordering drinks and an appetizer -- read the fine print before you get on the elevator.)
The Sky Pod (a tiny enclosed platform elevated high above the main observation floor) is located at 447 m, and is the highest public observation deck in the world. Admission to the Sky Pod requires payment of an extra charge.
Saturday 12 November 2011
The Eurotunnel - One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World
Other modes of transportation from the U.K. to France involve a trade-off of some kind. Low price, speed, comfort, convenience and efficiency cannot all be had in the same experience. Such difficult decisions can be avoided by taking Eurotunnel or Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel.
The first go at turning this idea into a reality was finally started in the mid-1800's, only to be stopped by political turmoil. In the 1970's economic troubles brought the second attempt to a standstill. The third attempt, started in 1988, was successful. Despite the financial, political and technical challenges, the Channel Tunnel was finally completed in 1994.
Though completely funded by private investors, the Channel Tunnel was considered a financial disaster by many, because the cost and debt associated with it ended up being much higher than originally anticipated. On the positive side, the completion of the Channel Tunnel provided competition with the other available modes of transportation, causing travel prices to lower and thus be more affordable for travelers.
Constructed of super strong, super thick concrete and steel, the Channel Tunnel is 50 km (or 31 miles) long, connecting Folkestone, England with Calais, France. The trip across takes 35 to 45 minutes to complete. The Channel Tunnel consists of two tunnels, with a smaller service tunnel in between used in case of an emergency. These railway tunnels are utilized by Eurotunnel, Eurostar and cargo trains.
Eurotunnel, in addition to providing electric rail ferry services for vehicles, is actually the company responsible for the construction of the Channel Tunnel (or Chunnel, as it is popularly known). Passenger cars and commercial lorries and vans can be trnsported from the U.K. to France much more quickly than with oversea ferries. Service is provided 24 hours a day, with greater efficiency, greater speed and less hassle. Prices vary depending on how far ahead the trip is booked, the time of day and time of year, the type of vehicle and the intended length of stay.
Eurostar is a high speed electric passenger train service that operates in the U.K., France and Belgium. Eurostar contracts with Eurotunnel for the right run its commuter trains on Eurotunnel's railways. As with Eurotunnel service, a Eurostar tunnel crossing takes 35 to 45 minutes, with speeds up to 200 mph. Eurostar offers a choice of food and different passenger classes, and prices vary widely, depending on which class is booked, the time of year and how close the tickets are booked to the actual time of travel. Eurostar also offers the convenience of non-stop service between many locations, including London and Paris.
Regardless of whether one chooses to travel with Eurotunnel or Eurostar from the U.K. to France, using the Channel Tunnel railways clearly offers the most benefits compared to other modes of transport.
The first go at turning this idea into a reality was finally started in the mid-1800's, only to be stopped by political turmoil. In the 1970's economic troubles brought the second attempt to a standstill. The third attempt, started in 1988, was successful. Despite the financial, political and technical challenges, the Channel Tunnel was finally completed in 1994.
Though completely funded by private investors, the Channel Tunnel was considered a financial disaster by many, because the cost and debt associated with it ended up being much higher than originally anticipated. On the positive side, the completion of the Channel Tunnel provided competition with the other available modes of transportation, causing travel prices to lower and thus be more affordable for travelers.
Constructed of super strong, super thick concrete and steel, the Channel Tunnel is 50 km (or 31 miles) long, connecting Folkestone, England with Calais, France. The trip across takes 35 to 45 minutes to complete. The Channel Tunnel consists of two tunnels, with a smaller service tunnel in between used in case of an emergency. These railway tunnels are utilized by Eurotunnel, Eurostar and cargo trains.
Eurotunnel, in addition to providing electric rail ferry services for vehicles, is actually the company responsible for the construction of the Channel Tunnel (or Chunnel, as it is popularly known). Passenger cars and commercial lorries and vans can be trnsported from the U.K. to France much more quickly than with oversea ferries. Service is provided 24 hours a day, with greater efficiency, greater speed and less hassle. Prices vary depending on how far ahead the trip is booked, the time of day and time of year, the type of vehicle and the intended length of stay.
Eurostar is a high speed electric passenger train service that operates in the U.K., France and Belgium. Eurostar contracts with Eurotunnel for the right run its commuter trains on Eurotunnel's railways. As with Eurotunnel service, a Eurostar tunnel crossing takes 35 to 45 minutes, with speeds up to 200 mph. Eurostar offers a choice of food and different passenger classes, and prices vary widely, depending on which class is booked, the time of year and how close the tickets are booked to the actual time of travel. Eurostar also offers the convenience of non-stop service between many locations, including London and Paris.
Regardless of whether one chooses to travel with Eurotunnel or Eurostar from the U.K. to France, using the Channel Tunnel railways clearly offers the most benefits compared to other modes of transport.
Friday 11 November 2011
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was the most famous artistic work in all of Greece and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and it made a profound impression on all who saw it.
Pausanias, a Greek traveler who wrote the earliest guidebook to ancient Greece in 150 AD, described the statue in great detail; yet he also wrote that "records fall far short of the impression made by a sight of the image." To the Greeks the statue of Olympian Zeus was the incarnate god, and not to have seen it at least once in one's lifetime was considered a misfortune.
Ruling over the gods from his exalted throne atop Mount Olympus, Zeus saw everything, rewarded good conduct, punished evil, and governed all. He was the bringer of thunder and lightning, rain, and winds, and his weapon was the thunderbolt. He was the protector of cities, the home, strangers and supplicants. Altars to Zeus graced the forecourts of houses throughout Greece and pilgrims visited his many mountaintop shrines, but the god's best-known temple was the monumental Temple of Zeus, built in 460 BC in a sacred grove between two rivers at Olympia.
Within this temple the statue of the supreme god sat upon an intricately carved cedarwood throne that was decorated with mythical scenes of lesser gods and heroes rendered in gold, ebony, and precious stones. In his left hand Zeus carried a scepter made of a multicolored alloy of rare metals; crowned with an eagle's head, it symbolized his rule over the earth. His extended right hand supported a life-size statue of Nike, the goddess of victory, and the stool beneath his feet was upheld by two impressive gold lions. His hair, beard, and drapery were made of gold, and his unclothed flesh—head, hands and feet—was rendered in burnished ivory. To keep the ivory from cracking the god had to be regularly anointed with olive oil, which was collected in a shallow pool beneath his feet. Over 40 feet in height, Zeus was too large to fit in the temple if he stood up—a curious fact to ancient commentators, who thought of the temple as Zeus's actual home.
source : http://amazeingart.com/
Pausanias, a Greek traveler who wrote the earliest guidebook to ancient Greece in 150 AD, described the statue in great detail; yet he also wrote that "records fall far short of the impression made by a sight of the image." To the Greeks the statue of Olympian Zeus was the incarnate god, and not to have seen it at least once in one's lifetime was considered a misfortune.
Ruling over the gods from his exalted throne atop Mount Olympus, Zeus saw everything, rewarded good conduct, punished evil, and governed all. He was the bringer of thunder and lightning, rain, and winds, and his weapon was the thunderbolt. He was the protector of cities, the home, strangers and supplicants. Altars to Zeus graced the forecourts of houses throughout Greece and pilgrims visited his many mountaintop shrines, but the god's best-known temple was the monumental Temple of Zeus, built in 460 BC in a sacred grove between two rivers at Olympia.
Within this temple the statue of the supreme god sat upon an intricately carved cedarwood throne that was decorated with mythical scenes of lesser gods and heroes rendered in gold, ebony, and precious stones. In his left hand Zeus carried a scepter made of a multicolored alloy of rare metals; crowned with an eagle's head, it symbolized his rule over the earth. His extended right hand supported a life-size statue of Nike, the goddess of victory, and the stool beneath his feet was upheld by two impressive gold lions. His hair, beard, and drapery were made of gold, and his unclothed flesh—head, hands and feet—was rendered in burnished ivory. To keep the ivory from cracking the god had to be regularly anointed with olive oil, which was collected in a shallow pool beneath his feet. Over 40 feet in height, Zeus was too large to fit in the temple if he stood up—a curious fact to ancient commentators, who thought of the temple as Zeus's actual home.
source : http://amazeingart.com/
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
Another of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World was the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. It was a massive tomb, built in the city of Halicarnassus, in Asia Minor.
A man named Hecatomnus of Mylasa died in 377 B.C. He left control of his kingdom to his son, Mausolus. This king was even more successful than his father at conquering territory; at the height of his powers, Mausolus and his queen, Artemisia, controlled most of southwest Asia Minor.
In 353 B.C., Mausolus died. Artemisia decided to build, in honor of her husband, a tomb larger than any that had ever been built. She sent word to Greece that she would pay any price to have the best architects in the world help build this tomb. One of the men who worked on the tomb was Scopas, who had had a hand in building the Temple to Artemis at Ephesus, another of the 7 Ancient Wonders.
The result was huge and unlike anything ever seen before. Stone lions guarded the stairway up to the tomb. The building itself was 140 feet high. The bottom third was solid marble. The middle third contained Greek columns. The top third was a pyramid. On the very top was a large stone sculpture showing Mausolus and Artemisia standing side by side in a chariot. The whole thing took many years to build.
Artemisia died two years after her husband did, when the tomb was still being built. The builders stayed on to finish the job.
A series of earthquakes during the Middle Ages shattered much of the Mausoleum, and the people who lived in and around Halicarnassus eventually took much of the rest of the tomb to use in their own buildings.
source : http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/
A man named Hecatomnus of Mylasa died in 377 B.C. He left control of his kingdom to his son, Mausolus. This king was even more successful than his father at conquering territory; at the height of his powers, Mausolus and his queen, Artemisia, controlled most of southwest Asia Minor.
In 353 B.C., Mausolus died. Artemisia decided to build, in honor of her husband, a tomb larger than any that had ever been built. She sent word to Greece that she would pay any price to have the best architects in the world help build this tomb. One of the men who worked on the tomb was Scopas, who had had a hand in building the Temple to Artemis at Ephesus, another of the 7 Ancient Wonders.
The result was huge and unlike anything ever seen before. Stone lions guarded the stairway up to the tomb. The building itself was 140 feet high. The bottom third was solid marble. The middle third contained Greek columns. The top third was a pyramid. On the very top was a large stone sculpture showing Mausolus and Artemisia standing side by side in a chariot. The whole thing took many years to build.
Artemisia died two years after her husband did, when the tomb was still being built. The builders stayed on to finish the job.
A series of earthquakes during the Middle Ages shattered much of the Mausoleum, and the people who lived in and around Halicarnassus eventually took much of the rest of the tomb to use in their own buildings.
source : http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/
The Lighthouse of Alexandria
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. Situated on the small offshore island of Pharos, the Lighthouse lit the way for many a sailor navigating the tricky harbor into what was then one of the world's centers of civilization. Pharos actually was not a true island: It was connected to the mainland by a dike, called the Heptastadion. In this way, Alexandria had two harbors, one on either side of the dike.
The lighthouse was the idea of Ptolemy Soter, who took over command of Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great. He ordered construction began in 290 B.C. The project was so daunting that it was completed after his death, by his son Ptolemy Philadelphus.
The main architect for the project was a man named Sostratus. Detailed calculations for the project were completed at the famed Library of Alexandria.
The Lighthouse was a huge building that had three parts, one built right on top of another. The lowest part was square and was 183.4 feet high. The middle was octagonal in shape and was 90 feet high. The highest part was a 24-foot-high cylinder. The total height, including the base, was 384 feet, which would be a 40-story building in modern times.
Inside the base was a cylinder that stretched from bottom to top and carried fuel needed to light the fire that burned from the top of the structure. This fire was the beacon during the night. In the daytime, a mirror reflected sunlight and served as the same sort of beacon. (A legend says also that the mirror could used to burn enemy ships before they could sail into the harbor.)
The Lighthouse stood for centuries, first and foremost as a beacon to travelers and next as a tribute to the greatness of Hellenic civilization. Earthquakes eventually brought down the famed structure, however. The first one, in 1303, shook up the entire area; the second one, 20 years later, did significant structural damage. By this time, also, the Lighthouse had fallen into disrepair because the Arab conqueror of Egypt didn't keep it up. Although the Lighthouse soldiered on, it was done in entirely by Sultan Qaitbay in 1480. The sultan used the stone and marble that had once made up the Lighthouse to build a fort on the very spot where the Lighthouse once stood.
source : http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/
The lighthouse was the idea of Ptolemy Soter, who took over command of Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great. He ordered construction began in 290 B.C. The project was so daunting that it was completed after his death, by his son Ptolemy Philadelphus.
The main architect for the project was a man named Sostratus. Detailed calculations for the project were completed at the famed Library of Alexandria.
The Lighthouse was a huge building that had three parts, one built right on top of another. The lowest part was square and was 183.4 feet high. The middle was octagonal in shape and was 90 feet high. The highest part was a 24-foot-high cylinder. The total height, including the base, was 384 feet, which would be a 40-story building in modern times.
Inside the base was a cylinder that stretched from bottom to top and carried fuel needed to light the fire that burned from the top of the structure. This fire was the beacon during the night. In the daytime, a mirror reflected sunlight and served as the same sort of beacon. (A legend says also that the mirror could used to burn enemy ships before they could sail into the harbor.)
The Lighthouse stood for centuries, first and foremost as a beacon to travelers and next as a tribute to the greatness of Hellenic civilization. Earthquakes eventually brought down the famed structure, however. The first one, in 1303, shook up the entire area; the second one, 20 years later, did significant structural damage. By this time, also, the Lighthouse had fallen into disrepair because the Arab conqueror of Egypt didn't keep it up. Although the Lighthouse soldiered on, it was done in entirely by Sultan Qaitbay in 1480. The sultan used the stone and marble that had once made up the Lighthouse to build a fort on the very spot where the Lighthouse once stood.
source : http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/
Thursday 10 November 2011
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Definition: There seems to be strong factual basis for the other wonders of the ancient world, but the hanging gardens of Babylon may be one wonder of the ancient world that never was. It could simply have been the luxurious appearance of a greenery covered ziggurat that led writers to claim that a hanging garden existed. Diodorus Siculus described the hanging gardens as a "series of superimposed terraces of reducing size, rising to a height of 75 feet." [H.W.F. Saggs "Civilization Before Greece and Rome," p. 55.] Strabo said it was much larger, with a a square base with each side 400 feet long. The water could have been brought from the Euphrates River to the garden by irrigation and a series of buckets or pulleys.
The hanging gardens are said to have been built in the sixth century by Nebuchadnezzar for his wife or in the ninth century, by the Assyrian Queen Semiramis. Hanging probably meant the gardens were overhanging or terraced.
source : http://ancienthistory.about.com/
The hanging gardens are said to have been built in the sixth century by Nebuchadnezzar for his wife or in the ninth century, by the Assyrian Queen Semiramis. Hanging probably meant the gardens were overhanging or terraced.
source : http://ancienthistory.about.com/
The Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid at Giza* was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, and is the only one of the 7 wonders still visible today. Built from more than 2,000,000 blocks of stone averaging more than two tons each, the Great Pyramid at Giza was the tallest structure in the world for more than 4300 years. Originally, it stood about 481 feet (146.6 m) high, with sides about 755 feet wide. The pyramid's outside casing was lost, reducing its overall size. The Great Pyramid was part of a mortuary complex with other, smaller pyramids and tombs.
The Great Pyramid at Giza is also known as the Great Pyramid of Khufu, using the Egyptian name for the pharaoh. The Greeks called Khufu Cheops, so the pyramid is also known as the Great Pyramid of Cheops.
The Great Pyramid of Khufu was built around 2560 B.C. (for the context of that date, see the major events timeline), taking about 20 years to complete. Pharaoh Khufu had it built to be the final resting place for his sarcophagus. Three burial chambers were built, including one in the bedrock.
Archaeologist Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie investigated the Great Pyramid in 1880.
Reference: National Geographis Pyramid of Khufu.
Also Known As: Great Pyramid of Cheops, Great Pyramid of Khufu
Examples:
In photographs, the Pyramid of Cheops usually appears the tallest of the three pyramids at Giza and is the furthest north and east.
*Giza is also spelled Gizeh, as on the inset reference map of the Nile Delta on Maps of Egypt.
source : http://ancienthistory.about.com
The Colossus of Rhodes Statue
Artists have imagined the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, as straddling the harbor with his legs so that ships passed beneath him, but it is more likely that the colossus looked something like the modern Statue of Liberty.
Rhodes is an island [See Bd on map of Asia Minor] near Asia Minor and an ancient trading center that was repeatedly conquered. During the period of relevance for the seven wonders of the ancient world, it was conquered by Mausolus of Halicarnassus -- the king of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus fame -- in 357 B.C., then by the Persians, and then by Alexander the Great in 332.
Following the death of Alexander, the people of Rhodes sided with Ptolemy Soter (367-282 B.C.). Antigonus (382-301 B.C.), one of the other two successors to Alexander, thought he should control Rhodes, so he sent his son Demetrius (known as the Besieger "Polorketes" 337-283) with an army larger than the entire population of Rhodes.
The Rhodians were resourceful and lucky. They flooded the area outside the walls of the capital city (also Rhodes) and kept the invaders at bay for a year until Ptolemy's ships came from Egypt to help. The invaders then left, abandoning much of their military equipment.
In about 304, the Rhodians took advantage of this abandoned material to build a great statue in honor of their patron god Helios and to commemorate their victory. The statue, which may have taken 12 years to complete, stood 110 feet high upon a 50-foot pedestal near the harbor, for 56 years before it was thought to have been struck down by an earthquake.
The Colossus of Rhodes was constructed by the architect Chares, a student of Lysippus, creator of a 60-foot statue of Zeus.
source : http://ancienthistory.about.com
The Seven Wonders of the World History
The Seven Wonders of the World has historically been a listing of seven sites known to the Ancient Greeks as the most notable locales in their known world.
Since then, many have developed lists of the "modern" Seven Wonders of the World. The only list that really stands out and has stood the test of time for more than a decade is the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, developed by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The Original Seven Wonders of the World :
The Colossus of Rhodes
The Great Pyramid of Giza
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The Lighthouse of Alexandria
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
The Seven Wonders of the Modern World :
Channel Tunnel
CN Tower
Empire State Building
Golden Gate Bridge
Itaipu Dam
Netherlands North Sea Protection Works
Panama Canal
Natural Wonders of the World:
in 1997, CNN announced a listing of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World...
Grand Canyon
The Great Barrier Reef
The Harbor at Rio de Janeiro
Mt. Everest
Northern Lights
Paricutin Volcano
Victoria Falls
The "New" Seven Wonders of the World :
On July 7, 2007 (7-7-07) an organization announced a "new" set of the Seven Wonders of the World based on online voting from around the world...
Chichen Itza, Mexico - Mayan City
Christ Redeemer, Brazil - Large Statue
The Great Wall, China
Machu Picchu, Peru
Petra, Jordan - Ancient City
The Roman Colosseum, Italy
The Taj Mahal, India
source : http://geography.about.com/
Since then, many have developed lists of the "modern" Seven Wonders of the World. The only list that really stands out and has stood the test of time for more than a decade is the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, developed by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The Original Seven Wonders of the World :
The Colossus of Rhodes
The Great Pyramid of Giza
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The Lighthouse of Alexandria
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
The Seven Wonders of the Modern World :
Channel Tunnel
CN Tower
Empire State Building
Golden Gate Bridge
Itaipu Dam
Netherlands North Sea Protection Works
Panama Canal
Natural Wonders of the World:
in 1997, CNN announced a listing of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World...
Grand Canyon
The Great Barrier Reef
The Harbor at Rio de Janeiro
Mt. Everest
Northern Lights
Paricutin Volcano
Victoria Falls
The "New" Seven Wonders of the World :
On July 7, 2007 (7-7-07) an organization announced a "new" set of the Seven Wonders of the World based on online voting from around the world...
Chichen Itza, Mexico - Mayan City
Christ Redeemer, Brazil - Large Statue
The Great Wall, China
Machu Picchu, Peru
Petra, Jordan - Ancient City
The Roman Colosseum, Italy
The Taj Mahal, India
source : http://geography.about.com/
Borobudur, The Wonder of Indonesia
Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of the Ancient Kingdom of Mataram, the descendant of Sailendra dynasty. Based on the inscription Kayumwungan, an Indonesian named reveal that Hudaya Kandahjaya Borobudur is a place of worship is completed on May 26 824, almost one hundred years since the beginning of construction. Borobudur own name, according to some people means a terraced mountain-terrace (budhara), while some others said that Borobudur means monastery, located in the high places.
Borobudur-shaped building "punden berundak" consists of 10 levels. 42 meters high before the renovated and 34.5 meters because of the level renovated after the bottom used as a backstop. Six levels below the square-shaped and three levels above form a circle and the highest level in the form of a Buddhist stupa to the west. Each level symbolizes the stages of human life. According mazhab Mahayana Buddhism, every person who wants to reach the level of Buddha must through every level of life is.The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, symbolizing the human appetite is still tied. Four levels of above mentioned Rupadhatu symbolizing the human has been able to free them from the militancy but still bound appearance and form. At the level of the Buddha statue is placed open. Meanwhile, three levels above where the Buddha placed in a stupa called holey Arupadhatu; symbolizing man has been freed from lust, shapes and forms. The top of the Arupa called symbolizing nirvana, where the Buddha stayed.
Six rectangular stories together form the pyramid. Pilgrims started their visit from the base level, where they learned about living in the world of desires and his consequences. Then they walked up the five successive levels to learn how to conquer this world and these feelings.
On top three round terraces form the lotus. Around the round platforms 72 sculptures of meditating Buddha and saints are built on openwork stupas in overwhelming peace with a wonderful view over the rice-terraced hills and four volcanoes. In the center of the top level a stupa, a tower designed like a bell, points straight up to heaven. It's known as Nirvana; beyond form and concept.
source : http://www.articlesbase.com
Borobudur-shaped building "punden berundak" consists of 10 levels. 42 meters high before the renovated and 34.5 meters because of the level renovated after the bottom used as a backstop. Six levels below the square-shaped and three levels above form a circle and the highest level in the form of a Buddhist stupa to the west. Each level symbolizes the stages of human life. According mazhab Mahayana Buddhism, every person who wants to reach the level of Buddha must through every level of life is.The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, symbolizing the human appetite is still tied. Four levels of above mentioned Rupadhatu symbolizing the human has been able to free them from the militancy but still bound appearance and form. At the level of the Buddha statue is placed open. Meanwhile, three levels above where the Buddha placed in a stupa called holey Arupadhatu; symbolizing man has been freed from lust, shapes and forms. The top of the Arupa called symbolizing nirvana, where the Buddha stayed.
Six rectangular stories together form the pyramid. Pilgrims started their visit from the base level, where they learned about living in the world of desires and his consequences. Then they walked up the five successive levels to learn how to conquer this world and these feelings.
On top three round terraces form the lotus. Around the round platforms 72 sculptures of meditating Buddha and saints are built on openwork stupas in overwhelming peace with a wonderful view over the rice-terraced hills and four volcanoes. In the center of the top level a stupa, a tower designed like a bell, points straight up to heaven. It's known as Nirvana; beyond form and concept.
source : http://www.articlesbase.com
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