In a world where anyone can pick up a digital camera and take photographs until the perfect image comes out, the line between daily creativity and real art has been blurred. However, it’s easy to see when true artistic talent is present, especially when you’re reviewing certain forms of art that rely on skill no matter how advanced technology gets. For example, pen and ink artwork demands attention to detail and artistic ability whether you’re using the old-fashioned pens of yore or the modern stylus on a computer drawing program. The technology may advance and make it a little bit easier for the average person to get the hang of the art, but what appears on the page still requires that the artist put in effort and imagination.

Just take a look at these examples of pen and ink artwork and you’ll see the exquisite time-intensive detail that goes into this type of creativity.

1. Drawings of Nature [Roger Hall]

This artist has spent the past ten years working on refining his ability to create stunning replications of wildlife with just pen and ink. This has resulted in an enormous body of work that includes over 200 drawings featured in books, magazines and natural life journals. With just the line strokes of a pen, Hall appears to be able to accurately render nearly any animal.

2. Portraits [Noli Novak]

Using a technique called stippling, Wall Street Journal artist Noli Novak creates accurate portrait images of a diverse group of people. This technique relies on using ink to create dots of varying sizes which are positioned in such a way as to create a complete image, in this case the image of a person. Novak has done portraits of everyday people as well as celebrities and has a large body of work featuring both types of images.

3. Portraits [Randy Glass]

Another Wall Street Journal artist who uses stippling to create likenesses of celebrities and politicians is Randy Glass. Glass also does pencil and watercolour renderings of people but it his pen and ink artwork that really stands out as displaying his great artistic talent.

4. Still Life [Battousai777]

This image of a boot shows how powerful the pen and ink drawing can be. It takes an ordinary object and captures it with such fine detail that the drawing itself is elevated to a status above the original object.

5. Hampshire, England Nature Drawings [Mike Budden]

This pen and ink artist lives and works in Hampshire, capturing life through his art. Animals and landscapes figure prominently in the body of work that he has created over the years.

6. Fountain Pen & Ink Art [Jozef Hand-Boniakowski]

Not all pen and ink artwork is done using black ink on a white background (although much of it is). Coloured ink and / or a coloured background can lend a striking sense of emotion to a pen and ink drawing as seen in the work of Jozef Hand-Boniakowski. The subjects of his art work are primarily political figures and events.

7. Marine Life Drawings [Mabel Harri]

This artist manages to capture the images of different underwater life in pen and ink drawings. The subjects of the artwork are primarily small fish brought to life by Harri through great attention to detail and the ability to render that detail on paper.

8. Woman [Birthmark1]

This multi-media artist works primarily in sculpture but was moved to create a pen and ink drawing of this woman’s face. The simple lines make it look so easy to create such a magnificent drawing but the truth is that it requires a lot of skill to be able to draw a human face in a way that shows both motion and emotion.

9. Ships [Ron C. Guthrie]

Guthrie does pen and ink drawings of a number of different subjects, but the most outstanding ones are his drawings of ships. Everything from the shadows to the lines are perfectly drawn so that the image nearly looks like a photograph despite being done by hand.

10. Natural History Drawings [William R. Johnston]

The drawings of Johnston have played an important role in the natural history of the United States. For example, he once did exquisite drawings of a rare tree in New York City’s parks that led to the tree being saved from destruction there. He has also done drawings that influenced the opposite coast such as those related to the nature preserved by John Muir in California.

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10 Breathtaking Pen & Ink Works of Art

Bridges have long been a thing of fascination in the human mind because of what they connote: connection. Even though much of our communication is carried out via email or telephone, we are still nonetheless a sociable bunch. We go places, see things, visit people and experience life, all of which requires movement and interaction. Bridges are therefore a facilitator of connection in the broad mesh of human social life.

Continuing on from our previous exploration of 18 stunning bridges, we take a further look at 10 more of the oldest, newest, biggest and best bridges in existence today from around the globe.

Stari Most, Mostar

Stari Most: Commissioned originally by Suleman the Magnificent in 1557, Stari Most connects the two parts of the city of Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina, crossing the River Neretva. In 1993, during the Bosnian War, the bridge was destroyed by the Croatian Council of Defence, however its reconstruction was completed in 2004 and the bridge still stands proud today.

Popular with locals and tourists alike as a platform to dive from, the bridge is 24m above the river below, 4m wide and 30m long. It is supported by two limestone abutments which connect to wing walls along the water cliffs, each erected to a height of 6.53m. The unusual hump shape of the bridge is claimed to be caused by buckles in the inner arch, allowing for its unique and photogenic appearance.

Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, New York City

Verrazano-Narrows Bridge: Named after Giovanni da Verrazano, the first man to sail into New York Harbour, the Verrazano-Narrows bridge connects Brooklyn and Staten Island, and was the world’s longest suspension bridge upon completion in 1964. Each of the enormous towers weighs 27,000 tonnes, and they are further apart from one another at their tops than at their bases, as the 4,260ft distance between them forced construction to compensate for the earth’s curvature. However, it is the steel cables which allow for the more interesting reading, as the expansion of the metal makes the bridge a full 12ft lower is summer than in the winter months.

Mackinac Bridge, Michigan

Mackinac Bridge: The Mackinac Bridge, often referred to affectionately as ‘Mighty Mac’ or ‘Big Mac’, connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of the US State of Michigan, and its 8,614 feet suspended length makes it the longest suspension bridge in the Americas. Although the bridge itself is just over half a century old (construction having been completed in 1957), plans to cross the straits of Mackinac originally emerged as a reaction to the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883, with locals happy to facilitate easier crossing of the waters.

Two years after the $99.8 million construction was completed, US Air Force pilot Captain John Lappo lost his flying privileges after taking his plane underneath the bridge, its 200m vertical clearance violating rules on flying altitudes. For a slightly safer (and legal) way to enjoy the view, the bridge functions as a $3 toll for Interstate 75 today.

Confederation Bridge, Canada

Confederation Bridge: Although aesthetically the Confederation Bridge may not be able to compete with other bridges on the list, its size and the amount of effort which went into its construction more than make up for its physical beauty. The idea to cross the Northumberland Strait with a ‘fixed link’, as opposed to the increasingly inefficient ferry service, had been around for a number of years, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that plans began to develop to link Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

The bridge was finally completed in 1997, at a total cost of $1.3 billion. It is supported by 62 piers, the majority of which keep the bridge around 40 metres above sea level, although there is a 60m peak which allows shipping traffic to pass underneath. The bridge will be managed privately until 2032, when management will be handed over to the Government of Canada.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Tampa Bay

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge: With its 5.5 mile length, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Florida is the longest cable-main stayed bridge in the world and cost an enormous $244 million to build, construction being completed in 1987. This steel and concrete structure is supported by 12 steel cables, each one clad in 9 inch steel tubes. However problems arose when the steel inside the concrete precast segments began to corrode, but workers were able to get inside the hollow segments and provide vital reinforcement.

In 1980, a freighter collided with one of the bridge’s support columns, causing a section of the bridge to collapse into Tampa Bay, sending six cars and a Greyhound bus into the water from a height of 150 feet. Of the 36 people involved, only one survived, although he did managed to sue the freight company for a hefty $175,000!

New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia

New River Gorge Bridge: Built in 1974, the New River Gorge Bridge is the world’s second highest vehicular bridge, second only to the Milau Viaduct in France. It’s unpainted steel appearance may not make it that spectacular to look at, but it saves what would have been the $1 million needed to regularly repaint bridge, and more often than not, it’s not the bridge you find yourself looking at.

876 feet above the New River rapids, the bridge is 3,030ft long and offers spectacular views of the gorge below, one of the largest draws for those who flock to the bridge on the third Saturday of October each year to celebrate ‘Bridge Day’, an annual tradition which halts Highway 19’s traffic for the day as base jumpers and abseilers take full advantage of the picturesque location for an adrenaline rush.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Fayetteville

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel: Although not strictly a bridge on its own, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT) simply has to be included because of its sheer size and engineering prowess; it was labelled as ‘One of Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World’ in 1965. Stretching to around 23km, CBBT is the primary way of crossing the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, and connects Virginia Beach / Norfolk with Virginia’s eastern shore via a series of bridges and tunnels.

Construction began in 1960, to be completed 4 years later, and the $200 million project was funded completely by private toll revenue bonds. In 1995, for almost the same cost as the original project, new two-lane parallel trestles were added to decrease traffic volume, although plans to replace the two underwater tunnels were scrapped as cost estimations came in at an enormous $900 million.

Rio Antirio Bridge, Greece

Rio Antirio Bridge: If ever a construction deserved recognition for the sheer difficulty of the task, the Rio Antirio bridge in Greece must be it. It is impressive in itself that is boasts the second longest cable-stayed deck in the world at 2.252m, beaten only by the Millau viaduct in France, but such an achievement is only enhanced by the conditions placed on the construction. The piers which support the bridge could not be buried in the 65m deep seabed, made up of mostly loose sediment, thus a painstakingly levelled bed of gravel was laid under water to provide something for them to rest on. The risk of seismic activity and tectonic plate movement also had to be taken into account, with the piers able to move laterally underwater in the event of an earthquake allowing the gravel beds to absorb the vast majority of the shock.

The parts of the bridge itself are connected using jacks and dampers, allowing for movement of the parts during an earthquake without seriously damaging the bridge structure itself. Opened just in time for the Athens Olympics in 2004, the bridge is perhaps one of the most spectacular of its kind as far as engineering is concerned in the world.

Brooklyn Bridge, New York City

Brooklyn Bridge: Upon its completion in 1883, Brooklyn Bridge was the largest suspension bridge in the world, and was generally considered as one of the most technically spectacular achievements of the day. The bridge soon developed into a vital transport link between Manhattan and Brooklyn, and is still used extensively today with over 140,000 people crossing the bridge, whether it be in the car or on foot, on a daily basis.

The bridge was originally designed by prolific German bridge designer John Augustus Roebling and is generally considered as his greatest achievement, although he didn’t actually live to see the bridge completed. Ill health also disabled his son, Washington, who inherited the project from his father, and it was left to Washington’s wife, Emily, to oversee project completion. Roebling’s design legacy however was vital in the bridge’s longevity; he designed the bridge ’six times stronger’ than it needed to be, which is why it remains fully functioning today, 125 years after construction finished, when other bridges of the same era built with a similar lack of technology have perished.

Puente del Alamillo, Seville

Puente del Alamillo: Easiest translated into English as ‘The Alamillo Bridge’, Puente del Alamillo crosses the Canal de Alfonso XIII in Seville, and was built to provide access to La Cartuja island, the site of the World’s Fair in 1992. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the bridge is noted for its striking design, a huge pylon which, with the aid of 13 connecting cables, counterbalances the 200m main bridge span.

The bridge is renowned for looking particularly spectacular at night time when lit up, and is supposed to represent the ësoaring aspirations’ of the city itself. Originally, the bridge was designed as half of a pair, the symmetrical reproduction of the current construction to go at the other end of the island. However, designers decided the current one pylon construction was more spectacular aesthetically, and the sister bridge was abandoned.

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10 (More) Stunning Bridges From Around The World

Many people are fascinated by the idea of buried treasure, ancient Egyptian secrets, lost cities, or other unexplained phenomena throughout our world’s history. Since the time of the ancient Egyptians thousands of years ago, there have been many secrets that we today are just beginning to learn about, or that we still don’t have answers for. The secrets of the Great Pyramids, famous shipwrecks, the lost city of Babylon, hidden treasures of the Incas, lost jewels, the secrets of the Vatican, and many more mysteries of our history continue to fascinate people from around the world. Here is a list of some of the greatest hidden secrets of the ancient world, as well as some tales of lost treasure, shipwrecks, and hidden riches from more recent times.

The Construction of The Great Pyramids of Egypt

The Great Pyramids of Egypt: One of the most, if not the most, fascinating mysteries of all-time is how and when the Great Pyramids of Egypt were constructed so many years ago. There are several mysteries surrounding these huge structures such as their purpose, how they were built and when they were constructed? Recently, scientists have found some answers to some of these questions, although many of these answers are still being debated. Most experts claim that the Great Pyramids were built somewhere around 3200 BC, while some still debate that they are as much as 10,000 years old. Similarly, most experts estimate the number of stones used to construct the largest of all the pyramids, the Great Pyramid of Giza, to be about 2.3 million while others believe this figure to be too small. Maybe the greatest secret surrounding the construction of the Great Pyramids is how the people actually moved the estimated 2-9 ton stones across miles of desert and then actually put them in place with such extreme precision. Scientists have different theories about how the ancient Egyptians accomplished this amazing feat, but we may never know for sure how they accomplished one of the greatest construction projects ever without using any of the modern tools we have today.

Secret Treasure Revealed in the Dead Sea Scrolls

The Dead Sea Scrolls: The Dead Sea Scrolls consists of approximately 900 documents that were discovered between 1947 and 1956 near the ruins of the ancient settlement of Khirbet Qumran in the West Bank. These biblical documents are the only ones ever found which were made before 100 AD. One of the most fascinating documents is the Copper Scroll, which like its name implies, was written in Hebrew on a thin copper sheet. The Copper Scroll is basically a list of locations where gold and silver is hidden or buried. The scroll describes treasure that is estimated to be worth at least $1 billion. There are many theories surrounding the interpretation of the Copper Scroll and who this treasure belonged to, as well as if the treasure is still hidden somewhere or if it was recovered sometime over the last 2,000 years. The locations of the hidden treasure cannot be interpreted on the Copper Scroll, but there is a mention of Mt. Garizim. Many people believe that this may be the location of the $1 billion worth of gold and silver that has been hidden away for centuries.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon: The mystery surrounding The Hanging Gardens of Babylon is whether or not this ancient city ever even existed. Some people believe that this magnificent city, near modern-day Baghdad, existed around 600 BC, and it featured magnificent gardens and huge buildings constructed of bricks made of mud. In ancient writings by Berossus, who lived in the late 4th Century BC, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were first described, and these writings were later elaborated on by other historians throughout history. Recent archaeological digs near the banks of the Euphrates River have turned-up walls that are about 75 feet thick, and many experts believe that this evidence proves that Babylon was real and not a myth. The mystery behind this lost city is one that has remained for thousands of years. Even so, it is still considered one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world.

The Lost City of Stone in Petra

The Lost City of Stone in Petra: The ancient city of Petra was once a strong kingdom of about 20,000 people which flourished as an important center of trade soon after it was settled in the 4th Century BC. The people who lived here were called Nabataeans, a group of Arabian nomads. They eventually settled in Petra, Jordan and created the city entirely of stone. Most of the city was carved into massive rock formations. The city consisted of a theater, temples, altars, banquet halls, and almost 3,000 elaborate rock-cut tombs. It’s still a mystery as to why the city of Petra was abandoned, but most experts believe that it was because of a massive earthquake in 363 AD which ruined half of the complex. Still, much of the city stands today, and the Lost City of Stone is a major tourist attraction; it’s even considered as one of the new 7 wonders of the world. The Lost City of Petra may look familiar to you because it was a backdrop for the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Afghanistan’s Hidden Treasures

Afghanistan’s Hidden Treasures: Back in 1979, Soviet archaeologists digging in Afghanistan stumbled upon more than 20,000 gold coins and artifacts from over 2,000 years ago. Experts believe that they belonged to the Silk Road culture of Bactria, an important culture in Afghan history. The ancient treasure was hidden away in a secret chamber, inside of locked boxes, during the next 20 years for safe-keeping. Nobody knew about the treasure, and many thought that it was actually stolen during conflicts in Afghanistan during that time period. Finally, these secret locked boxes were cut open, and the treasure was again revealed in 2004. Keeping this treasure a secret was very important because the Taliban had looted and stolen 80% of Afghanistan’s treasure in 1996, but they never knew of the Bactria treasure that was hidden away in 6 large locked boxes. This treasure is now being stored in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The Lost City of Atlantis

The Lost City of Atlantis: Maybe the greatest mystery of all-time is the story of the Lost City of Atlantis. Some believe that a small island, destroyed by a massive volcanic eruption over 3,000 years ago, is what consumed the utopian city of Atlantis. This island is located adjacent to the Greek island of Santorini. Other experts believe that Atlantis is located near the Straits of Gibraltar, while others think that Atlantis is located near the Azores Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The whole idea of Atlantis was first written about by the Greek philosopher Plato, and has since become a story that has fascinated people for thousands of years. The story of the Lost City of Atlantis has been the topic of many books and movies, and its legend will continue to fuel future archaeological expeditions in search of this great city.

The Ancient Baghdad Battery

The Ancient Baghdad Battery: Could it be true that 2,000 years ago people had already invented the battery? Some historians believe this to be true after an artifact was discovered near Baghdad in 1936 which can actually produce voltage when an acidic agent was added to it (lemon juice, grape juice, vinegar). Some people believe that these batteries were used to electroplate items with thin layers of gold, while others believe that these artifacts are just a coincidence and not meant to actually produce any kind of electrical charge. The one thing that we do know for sure is that when this clay jar is filled with vinegar (or another acidic solution), it produces about 1.1 volts of electricity. Whether or not people discovered electricity 2,000 years ago, we may never know for sure, but it’s still fascinating to think that it could be true.

The Hidden Treasures and Lost Cities of the Incas

The Hidden Treasures and Lost Cities of the Incas: There is a lot of mystery surrounding the possible locations of endless amounts of gold and other riches somewhere in the Andes Mountains in South America. Much of this treasure is rumoured to be hidden in one of the lost cities of the Incas including Machu Picchu, Vilcabamba, Vitcos, Choquequirao and Paititi. There are stories of treasure being hidden at the city of Paititi, in particular, although this lost city has never been found and some believe it’s really nothing more than a mythical place. The Incas often constructed huge statues of solid gold, and they often used precious gem stones when creating statues and other structures. As the Spanish conquistadors made their way to South America, they began stealing much of the Incan treasure. Experts still believe that the Incas hid much of their gold and jewels so that the Spanish could not find it. This treasure may still be hidden-away somewhere in the Andes Mountains, or the Amazon Jungle, just waiting to found.

The Merchant Royal Shipwreck

The Merchant Royal Shipwreck: The most valuable shipwreck of all-time was the Merchant Royal shipwreck of 1641, which sank about 40 miles off the coast of Cornwall. The ship was carrying at least 100,000 pounds of gold (about $1 billion), 400 bars of Mexican silver (about $1 million), and about 500,000 coins when it began taking on water and eventually sank due to rough weather. It is believed that this shipwreck was recently discovered by Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. of Tampa, Florida when they announced in 2007 that they had discovered about 500,000 (about $500 million) worth of gold and silver coins in a shipwreck in the Atlantic Ocean. For security purposes, they have withheld the location and the name of the ship, but most people believe it to be the Merchant Royal. If it is the Merchant Royal, there is still more treasure to be found, as only the lost coins have been recovered; the lost gold and silver bars are still somewhere at sea.

The Holy Grail in Iceland?

The Holy Grail in Iceland?: A group of Scientists in Iceland have recently stumbled upon evidence which they believe will lead them to the legendary Holy Grail (the cup that Jesus Christ drank from at the Last Supper). They believe that it may be located in the rural district Hrunamannahreppur in southwest Iceland. They have found a strong correlation between Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting of the Last Supper and with the aerial map of Iceland (see photo). According to these scientists, the Holy Grail is located in a 5-meter high secret underground dome near kjolur mountain pass. Whether the Holy Grail is an ancient myth, or one of the greatest lost artifacts of all-time, we may never know for sure.

Nazi Treasure Hidden Underground in the Bavarian Alps

Nazi Treasure: There are countless stories of Nazi treasure that is hidden inside secret tunnels in the Bavarian Alps in Austria; some are true, some aren’t. The Nazi army led by Adolph Hitler, during World War II, did hide an obscene amount of gold, jewels, priceless artwork, and other artifacts that had been plundered from around Europe in order to keep these riches from being seized by allied armies. American forces did find one of these Nazi hiding places at the Merkers salt mine in 1945. A partial list of valuables that the Nazi’s stored here are:

• 8,198 bars of gold bullion
• 55 boxes of crated gold bullion
• 1,300 bags of gold Reichsmarks
• 711 bags of American twenty-dollar gold pieces
• 2.76 billion Reichsmarks
• 20 silver bars – 40 other bags containing silver bars
• 63 boxes and 55 bags of silver plate
• 1 bag containing 6 platinum bars

This was the largest stash of hidden Nazi treasure ever found, and experts believe there is a lot more of it still hidden underground. Gold bars are still found at various places around the Bavarian Alps still today.

Ancient Burial Ground Unearthed at the Vatican

Ancient Burial Ground Unearthed at the Vatican: For hundreds or even thousands of years, nobody knew that the Vatican was sitting on an ancient burial ground that dates back to 23 BC, until workers began construction on an underground parking lot. The necropolis is said to be in excellent shape, considering it’s approximately 2,000 years old. Archaeologists found a host of artifacts at the burial site including altars, urns, ceramic dishes, oil lamps, and mosaic tiling. The Vatican necropolis consists of about 40 mausoleums and 200 individual graves, and it’s considered to be one of the most important burial grounds of its kind.

Blackbeard’s Buried Silver in Pennsylvania

Blackbeard’s Buried Silver in Pennsylvania: In more recent times, there have been stories of the famous buccaneer, Captain Blackbeard, burying approximately $1.5 million worth of silver in the mountains outside McKean County, PA near present-day Route 155. The silver was supposed to be sent to London, but the famous pirate thought it would be too risky to to set-sail where his ship was docked in Maryland because people had found out about the treasure onboard. He decided to carry the silver by wagon to Canada, where he would have a safer departure en route to London. As the War of 1812 broke-out, Blackbeard feared the Americans would steal his silver so he buried it in the mountains, and he never returned for it. Blackbeard’s silver is still hidden in those mountains in Pennsylvania.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge: There is so much mystery surrounding the famous Stonehenge prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England. These huge stones were erected around 2200 BC, and the entire project actually took hundreds of years, and millions of man-hours, to finish. Nobody knows for sure how the builders of Stonehenge actually erected the giant bluestone rocks which weighed several tons each, not to mention how the bluestones were actually hauled from Wales.

Another mystery surrounding Stonehenge is what it was actually used for. Some experts believe that Stonehenge was built as some sort-of an observatory, or a way for people of that time to keep track of the months, years, or track the constellations. Others believe that Stonehenge was some sort of religious monument, possibly even an altar, because ancient bodies have been discovered at the site which give solid evidence to support this theory.

The Lost Army of Cambyses

The Lost Army of Cambyses: One of the greatest lost armies in history is the lost army of Cambyses. Cambyses was a ruler in Persia sometime around 500 BC who sent an army of 50,000 men to the Siwa Oasis in Egypt on a mission to threaten the oracle of Amun. Halfway across the vast desert, a massive sandstorm wiped-out the entire army. These soldiers were never seen again, and they remain buried somewhere in the desert near the Iraq / Jordan border. Recent petroleum excavations in that area may have turned-up some of the remains of these soldiers, although this can’t be proven as of yet.

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15 Historical Events That Fascinate Us

Since the beginning of time, mankind has always been driven to design and build bigger, better, and faster. Examples of this can be traced back to ancient times with the construction of the Egyptian Pyramids. In today’s world, engineering has been taken to the extreme with all of the new technology and knowledge that we have gained over the years. Some of the buildings, dams, canals, and even roller coasters have pushed the engineering envelope to the limit by becoming bigger, stronger, wider, and faster than many people ever thought possible. Here’s a look at some of the most amazing structures in the world, and they show how we have continually taken engineering to another level year after year.

Rungrado May Day Stadium, Pyongyang

Rungrado May Day Stadium: The world’s largest stadium is the Rungrado May Day Stadium, a gigantic venue that can seat 150,000 people. They’ve squeezed up to 190,000 people into this stadium during a record-breaking professional wresting match in 1995. This 2.2 million square foot architectural gem consists of 16 arches that make up the roof and each reach over 197ft into the air. The Rungrado May Day Stadium hosts a variety of sporting events, but it’s mainly a venue for various celebrations and parades. Amazingly, 11,000 tonnes of steel was used to construct the roof alone.

The Panama Canal, Central America

The Panama Canal: Construction of the Panama Canal began in 1880 as way to connect the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean through Central America. This $375 million project consisted of the excavation of 268 million cubic yards of earth to form the canal. This excavated material was then relocated to various areas throughout Panama with some of it used to create a 500 acre town along the Pacific Ocean called Balboa. Thousands of workers fought through the humid weather, 105 inches of annual rain, mountains, and malaria/yellow fever epidemics in order to finish the canal in 1914, when the first ship sailed through the canal. In total, 5,609 people died during the construction of the Panama Canal. The canal is 50 miles long and features 17 artificial lakes, several channels, and 3 sets of locks. The 3 locks raise the water level a total of 139 feet, with each one takes about 8 minutes to fill-up with the proper amount of water. Ships must pay a toll to use the Panama Canal, which varies depending upon the size and type of ship and also the type of cargo on-board. The most expensive toll ever paid at the Panama Canal was $249,165 while the least expensive was $0.36 to a man who swam the canal!

Kingda Ka Rollercoaster, New Jersey

Kingda Ka Rollercoaster: If you’re looking for the greatest thrill on earth, then you have to check out Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. Thrill-junkies will love the tallest coaster in the world which towers above the theme park at 456 feet and features a drop of 418 feet. Although the ride is only 28 seconds long, it will give you the ultimate high as it shoots you 0 - 128 mph in only 3.5 seconds! This drag strip-like coaster shoots up to 18 people straight into the air at a 90° angle and return you to the ground before you even realise what just happened. This 3,118ft coaster was opened in May, 2005.

The Big Dig, Boston

The Big Dig: The Big Dig was a massive mega-project in the city of Boston whose purpose was to relieve traffic congestion along I-93. The plan was to build an enormous 3.5 mile tunnel underneath the city of Boston to help relieve some of this traffic which had gotten worse year after year. The project broke ground in 1991, and it became the most expensive highway project ever in the United States. As of 2006, the Big Dig project cost $14.6 billion. Workers encountered many obstacles while digging the enormous tunnel including glacial debris, buried homes, and even sunken ships. The tunnel had many problems with leaks as it neared completion, but they were eventually fixed. There is one death that is solely contributed to the Big Dig project, which occurred when a 3 tonne piece of concrete ceiling collapsed onto a car, killing the passenger of the car and injuring the driver. Work on the Big Dig project concluded on December 31, 2007. It was one of the biggest projects of its kind in the world.

Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, Kobe and Awaji-shima

Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge: As the longest suspension bridge in the world at 12,831 feet, engineers had no easy task erecting this massive bridge. Linking Kobe to Awaji Island in Japan, this bridge needed to be able to withstand high winds and even earthquakes. Because of this, engineers designed the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge with a two-hinged stiffening girder system. This technology allowed the bridge to withstand winds of 178 mph and earthquakes measuring up to 8.5 on the Richter scale. The flexibility of this bridge allows it to expand and contract up to 6 feet in one day. The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge was completed in 1998 at a cost of about $5 billion. Sounds like a lot of money, but when you factor in the $20 toll that you pay to cross the bridge and the approximately 23,000 cars that use it each day, that adds up to about $460,000 per day in revenue.

Hoover Dam, Arizona/Nevada

Hoover Dam: When the Hoover Dam was constructed back in 1935, it was the the world’s largest concrete structure and the largest electric producing facility although it doesn’t hold either of these titles anymore. The construction of this huge dam wasn’t easy. Engineers estimated that the concrete used to build the dam would take 125 years to fully cure if it were all poured at once, so they had to find a more efficient way to pour the concrete for the dam. They decided to pour 6 inches of concrete at a time, and they further sped-up the hardening of the concrete by cooling it with 1-inch pipes of cold water that ran through the concrete. The Hoover Dam used enough concrete to make a 2-lane road from San Francisco to New York (more than 2,500 miles). Construction of the Hoover Dam was hard work, and there were officially 112 deaths associated with the project from drownings to sickness. The hard work of these brave workers paid-off with a 726ft high, 1,244ft long, and 660 ft thick (at the base) dam that provides electricity to multiple cities (including Las Vegas) and produced Lake Mead which is enjoyed by many tourists each year. It’s the fifth most visited national park in the United States.

The Great Wall of China, China

The Great Wall of China: The Great Wall of China is the longest man-made structure in the world at about 4,160 miles long. The wall was constructed between the 5th Century BC and the 16th Century BC, and it’s purpose was to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire. During the long construction period of the wall, it’s estimated that between 2 and 3 million Chinese died while constructing the immense wall. The fact that these people were able to construct such a large structure without using the modern machinery we have today is just amazing. Initially, the wall was constructed of mostly wood, stones, and earth but later, bricks were used. The wall itself varied in height, but is typically about 25 feet high and 15 - 20 feet wide. Some people believe that you can see the Great Wall of China from the moon, but that’s a myth. You can however, barely see the wall from low-orbit space 100 miles up.

The Colosseum, Rome

The Colosseum: The Colosseum was the pinnacle of the Roman Empire’s engineering when it was completed in 80 AD. The 10 year project was constructed so well that some of it still stands today. Originally, this amphitheater seated 50,000 people and it hosted gladiator contests and other public events. This massive stadium is approximately 1,800 feet in diameter, and it sits on a 6 acre lot. The height of the outer walls measure about 160 feet high, and it was made out of travertine stone which was bonded together using mortar and 300 tonnes of iron clamps. Today, most of the outer wall of the Colosseum is gone due to earthquakes over the years, but much of the inner walls still remain.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, Cairo

The Great Pyramid of Giza: The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the 3 great pyramids in Cairo, Egypt. It took an estimated 10 - 20 years to build the 450ft pyramid, which was completed way back in 2570 BC. No one knows for sure what the purpose of these pyramids were, but most experts believe that they are tombs for important figures at the time. The Great Pyramid of Giza is suspected to be Pharaoh Khufu’s tomb. You think your job sucks, imagine having to carry around 2 - 4 tonne stone blocks for 10 - 20 years! Some stones weighed as much as 80 tonnes and carried distances of up to 500 miles! Estimates of how many workers that it took to construct this pyramid varies greatly from approximately 14,000 to 300,000 workers. Most experts do agree, though, that the number of stone blocks used to construct the pyramid is more than 2.3 million. Engineers today are still baffled about how the Egyptian builders were so precise with their measurements when constructing the pyramid. Measurements show that the Egyptians were 58 mm in length and 1 minute of an angle away from making the Great Pyramid of Giza a perfect square at the base.

Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur

Petronas Towers: The Petronas Towers are the largest twin towers in the world at the time of writing, as each tower measures in at a height of 1,482ft (to the top of the antenna). The 88-floor towers are constructed mainly of concrete, with steel and glass also rounding-out the materials list. These skyscrapers are supported by 69 x 69 feet concrete cores, with outer columns providing more support. The Petronas Towers were built on 360ft deep foundations, the world’s deepest, because of the depth of the bedrock below the construction site. The two towers are linked by a 174ft skybridge at the 41st and 42nd floors. The towers were completed in 1998, and at the time were the tallest buildings in the world.

The Taj Mahal, Agra

The Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal was completed back in 1648 and is one of the most beautiful architectural sites on the planet. The Taj Mahal is actually a mausoleum that was built after the death of Mumtaz Mahal, who was the wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The most spectacular aspect of the Taj Mahal is probably the 105ft high marble dome sitting on a cylindrical base that is about 21ft high and decorated with lotus designs. The Taj Mahal was constructed on a parcel of land about 3 acres in size. A 15 km ramp was constructed to make hauling heavy marble and other materials to the construction site. To haul this heavy material, workers used teams of oxen and elephants to haul the heaviest materials. In all, the Taj Mahal used 28 different types of precious stones that were inlaid into the marble including sapphire, crystal, turquoise, and more. The Taj Mahal was unanimously voted as one of the seven wonders of the world in a recent poll, attracting 2 - 3 million visitors per year.

Taipei 101, Taipei

Taipei 101: The Emporis Skyscraper Award winner in 2004, the Taipei 101 tower is currently the tallest skyscraper in the world (until the Burj Dubai is completed) at over 1,670ft to the antenna. Newsweek Magazine has even hailed Taipei 101 as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World while the Discovery Channel calls it one of the Seven Wonders of Engineering. Taipei 101 is designed to withstand typhoon winds and small earthquakes. 36 columns support the immense weight of the tower, including 8 larger columns filled with 10,000 psi concrete that makes this tower one of the most stable skyscrapers ever constructed. In order to minimise the swaying-effect in highest points of the building, caused by wind, engineers created a 662 metric tonne steel pendulum that hangs from the 92nd floor. This pendulum sways to offset the effects of the wind, and thus, keeps the tower stable. Each of the $2 million elevators can reach speeds of almost 38 mph, the current world record. The total cost of this 5 year construction project, completed in 2004, was about $1.758 billion.

Grand Coulee Dam, Washington

Grand Coulee Dam: The largest concrete structure and power producing facility in the United States is the Grand Coulee Dam in the State of Washington. The dam actually consists of 11,975,521 cubic yards of concrete, and 4 power plants. The Grand Coulee Dam provides 6809 MW of electricity to 11 states, and also provides irrigation for over 500,000 acres of farmland. Work began in 1933, during the Great Depression, with the first water spill over the Grand Coulee Dam occurring on the 1st June, 1942. This enormous structure spans 5,223ft and towers 550ft above the bedrock. This dam is so big, that all of the pyramids of Giza would fit inside the base of this behemoth!

Burj Dubai, Dubai

Burj Dubai: The Burj Dubai is a skyscraper that is scheduled to be finished at the end of 2008. This $4.1 billion tower will be the tallest man-made structure in the world when completed. The Burj Dubai will consist of 158 floors, and it will reach a height of 1,964 feet, or almost 900 feet taller than the Sears Tower in Chicago. To anchor the huge building, engineers had to use more than 110,000 metric tonness of concrete and 192 piles buried 164 feet into the ground. The Burj Dubai will feature 56 double-decker elevators that are estimated to be the fastest elevators in the world at 40 mph. This immense skyscraper is scheduled for occupancy in 2009.

The Chicago Spire, Chicago

The Chicago Spire: The Chicago Spire is one of the coolest looking buildings in the world, and it’s also one of the tallest. This swirling skyscraper will stand approximately 2,000ft tall, more than 500ft higher than the Sears Tower, when construction is completed in 2011. It will be North America’s tallest building, and the world’s tallest all-residential building. The Chicago Spire will sit on the shore of Lake Michigan near the famous Navy Pier in Chicago. This tower will house 1,193 condominiums within the building’s 150 stories. The 10,293 square foot penthouse condo at the top of the Chicago Spire is reportedly for sale right now for a cool $40 million while other less-expensive condos are on sale for $750,000. Each story of the Chicago Spire will rotate exactly 2.44 degrees from the one beneath it, which will total 360 degrees. The corkscrew design of this building does more than just look cool, it also helps minimise wind forces on the structure, which is important, considering that Chicago is the windy city.

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Extreme Engineering: 15 of Man’s Most Impressive Construction Projects

Whereas the bridge steals the headlines for its aesthetics and breathtaking views, its brother the tunnel is often unfairly overlooked. But however unglamorous it may be, the tunnel is still a hugely important way of transporting our cars and trains, and often takes on the jobs the bridge simply can’t handle. So as a sign of respect for their often uncelebrated achievements, we’ve put together a list of those tunnels which without doubt deserve your respect.

Seikan Tunnel, Japan

Seikan Tunnel: The 33.4 mile long Seikan Tunnel is the longest mixed use road / rail tunnel in the world to link the two Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido. The track itself is sunk 747ft beneath the water, making it the deepest of its kind in the world. Commissioned in 1955 after turbulence on the Tsugaru Strait sunk a ferry and killed 1,430 passengers, usual tunnel boring machinery could not be used on unpredictable terrain underneath the water; workers used over 2,800 tonnes of explosives to painstakingly drill their way through a particularly earthquake prone area. The labourious process was eventually completed in 1983 at the expense of 34 lives and $5 billion. However, the recent advent of low fare air travel has made the tunnel almost redundant.

Laerdal Tunnel

Laerdal Tunnel: The Laerdal Tunnel in Norway is a real feat of engineering that provides an invaluable link between the Bergen area and Eastern Norway, especially as winter conditions make the 6,000ft tall surrounding mountains simply too difficult to cross. At 15.2 miles long the Laerdal Tunnel is the longest road tunnel in the world. 200,000 16.5ft steel bolts hold it place and 376,736 square feet of concrete was poured to support the ceilings and walls. The monotonous 20 minute drive is purposely interrupted by 3 large caverns, which allow for a change of scenery for the driver and a chance to rest when tired. It is also the only tunnel in the world to have its own air treatment plant, situated 6 miles from Aurland, which removes dust and nitrogen oxide from the tunnel’s air supply!

North East MRT Line, Singapore

North East MRT Line: Singapore’s North East MRT Line became the world’s first completely underground, automated and driver-less rapid transit line when completed at a cost $5 billion in 2002. The 12.5 mile long track connects central Singapore with the north-eastern part of the island. Each of the 16 stations were designed individually by the Art in Transit project, so each station has a unique style and identity. It takes approximately 30 minutes to complete the journey along the 4ft, 8inch gauge track operated by the SBS Transit Limited. Plans to expand the whole MRT network are currently in motion.

Channel Tunnel, Strait of Dover

Channel Tunnel: One of the most celebrated engineering achievements of the modern era, the Channel Tunnel aka Chunnel holds the records for having the longest undersea tunnel section in the world (23.5 miles). It is also the longest international tunnel in the world and the second longest rail tunnel, its 31.5 mile length falling short of the Seikan Tunnel’s benchmark. Although the idea to build a permanent route across the channel dates back over 200 years, the tunnel wasn’t opened to the public until 1994. It consists of three parallel tunnels catering for freight trains and vehicle shuttles, as well as perhaps most importantly providing a Eurostar link between London, Paris and Brussels. At the deepest point the Channel Tunnel is 197ft beneath the seabed, which helps explain the reported £10 billion over-run on construction. The company that runs the trains through the tunnel, Euro Tunnel, have been in debt practically from the start. However, the tunnel has been gaining in popularity as track improvements made on the line to improve speeds into central London have come online.

Lotschberg Base Tunnel, Switzerland

Lotschberg Base Tunnel: Constructed to reduce heavy truck traffic on Swiss roads, the Lotschberg Base Tunnel allows vehicles to be loaded onto trains in Germany, carried through Switzerland and unloaded in Italy, as well as providing a quicker route for tourists skiing in the Alps. The world’s longest land tunnel was revealed in an opening ceremony in June 2007. It lies a further 400m under the existing Lotschberg Tunnel. The 21.5 mile tunnel aims to carry 110 trains a day, with tilt passenger trains able to pass through at a speed of 200mph.

Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Line, Moscow

Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Line: Often omitted from tunnel lists as it is in fact a metro line, the Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Line’s 25.5 mile length makes it the longest subway route in the world, so we feel it deserves some recognition. Originally opened in 1983, the line has been the subject of numerous expansions and lengthening until it achieved its well deserved title in 2007. It cuts the city of Moscow completely into two on a north-south axis, and has a total of 25 stops along an extensive journey through the Russian capital.

Gotthard Road Tunnel, Switzerland

Gotthard Road Tunnel: It seems that in tunnel building the Swiss have found their calling (alongside chocolate and banks, of course), as the Gotthard Road Tunnel is one of the most heavily vehicle-travelled tunnels in the world. The Gotthard Road Tunnel comes in second behind its aforementioned compatriot the Lotschberg Base Tunnel in the list of the world’s longest land tunnels, with a total length of approximately 10.5 miles. As an important part of the Hamburg to Sicily transport route, estimates suggest the tunnel is used by at least 1.2 million trucks per annum, hence the chaos that ensued when two trucks collided in 2001 causing a fire within the tunnel, killing 11 people and closing the tunnel for the following two months. The tunnel now enforces a minimum 500ft distance between two lorries to avoid further catastrophe.

Cu Chi Tunnels, Vietnam

Cu Chi Tunnels: As far as tunnels go, none can have had more impact on one country that the Cu Chi Tunnel network in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This 46.5 mile long system of secret tunnels was an invaluable asset to the Vietnamese in their war against the USA that functioned as a military base of operations, planning and storage for the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam’s infamous Tet Offensive in 1968. The network was also an invaluable communications link for NLF troops, and as time went by, developed from being merely a set of underground tunnels to contain kitchens, medical facilities and sleeping quarters; poor air quality and insect infestation made conditions extremely harsh. The tunnels have been properly reinforced and are open to tourists today as a war museum. The Cu Chi tunnel network was never actually officially commissioned, but building commenced in 1948 to defend against the French.

Tokyo Bay Aqua Tunnel, Japan

Tokyo Bay Aqua Tunnel: An integral part of the Tokyo Bay Aqualine, the Tokyo Bay Tunnel is a 5.9 mile long link between Kawasaki City and Kisarazu City that, along with a 2.75 mile long bridge and a completely artificial island, makes up the Trans-Tokyo Bay Highway. The Highway opened in 1997 and saves commuters a tedius 62 mile journey through the congested heart of Tokyo. The shield tunnel has the largest diameter of its kind in the world at 45.5ft for two lanes of traffic as well as vital protection and sturdiness in this highly earthquake prone area.

Eiksund Tunnel, Norway

Eiksund Tunnel: Although still under construction the Eiksund Tunnel in Norway is already the deepest underwater tunnel in the world at 942ft below sea level. At 4.8 miles long, the tunnel will service the areas of Heroy, Sande, Ulstein and Hareid. The reinforcement of this mammoth tunnel has already consumed around 172,000 square foot of concrete. More than 1,300 tonnes of explosives and a staggering 5 million blast holes were used to blast out the route. The tunnel was originally intended to be opened to the public in July of 2007, but numerous delays have pushed the date back into 2008.

Guadarrama Tunnel, Spain

Guadarrama Tunnel: The Guadarrama Tunnel is part of the Spanish high speed rail network connecting Madrid and Valladolid and is one of the most important travel links in Spain. Crossing the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain peninsula, this double fornix tunnel is 16.5 miles long, with the widest of the two tunnels 33ft in diameter. The construction contract was signed in 2001, and work began soon after using a Tunnel Boring Machine, although progress was delayed by especially hard rock formations. The tunnel cost around $1.6 billion to build and upon completion, trains will be able to pass through at maximum speeds of 217mph.

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11 Spectacular Tunnels From Around the Underworld

With the technological boom of the last century came a huge increase in construction capability, and rivers, seas or valleys which were once thought to be completely uncrossable were finally overcome by the advent of numerous new, spectacular bridges. So in honour of these incredible engineering achievements, we have selected our favourite few bridges from around the world. We have the very old, the very new, the very-nearly-finished, the very long and of course the ones which just look very, very cool. Take your pick!

Millau Bridge, Tarn Valley

Millau Bridge: Towering 1,125ft above the Tarn Valley in southern France, driving along the Millau Bridge, the largest cable-stayed vehicular bridge in the world, is said to feel like flying. This Foster + Partners marvel is slightly taller than the Eiffel Tower, took three years to build and opened to the public in 2004. While it may provide picturesque views of the valley below, once the mist descends it is not a route for the faint hearted! The Millau Bridge has a total length of 8,071ft with the longest single span at 1,122ft and a maximum clearance below of 886ft; in short the bridge is massively impressive both on paper and in real life. The deck is lofted on 7 pylons and weighs 36,000 tonnes. A series of 7 masts, each 292ft tall and weighing 700 tonnes, are attached to the corresponding pylons.

Fehmarn Belt Bridge, Baltic Sea

Fehmarn Belt Bridge: When completed in 2018 the Fehmarn Belt Bridge will stretch 11.8 miles and connect the German island of Fehmarn with the Danish island of Lolland at an estimated cost of $2.2 billion. Initial plans show the bridge will be constructed with 3 cable-stayed spans each approximately 2,375ft long and supported by four 918ft tall pillars giving 213ft of vertical clearance beneath. The proposed bridge has been controversial with opposition from businesses and conservationists who fear it may damage local wildlife.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Gateshead

Gateshead Millennium Bridge: The award winning $44 million Gateshead Millennium Bridge is the first and only tilting bridge in the world. Hydraulic rams at each end of the bridge allow it to tilt so small ships may pass through, and it is this innovative technology which won its designers the prestigious Stirling Prize for architecture in 2002. Thanks to the 19,000 tonnes of concrete poured into 98ft deep foundations and enough steel to build 64 double decker buses, the bridge can withstand a collision with a 4,000 tonne ship moving at 4 knots.

Bering Straits Bridge, Bering Straits

Bering Straits Bridge: The proposed Bering Straits bridge will hopefully act as a transcontinental link by land, connecting Asia, Africa and Europe with North and South America. Possible locations for the bridge have been suggested, with Cape Dezhnev, Chukotka, and Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska looking the most likely sources. Some suggestions have called for a series of three bridges spanning over 50 miles in total, although the tough Arctic conditions which make the area so notorious will almost definitely hinder construction and maintenance.

Erasmusbrug, Rotterdam

Erasmusbrug: Nicknamed ‘The Swan’ due to the shape of the pylon supporting it, the Erasmusbrug was completed in 1996 and acts as a link between the north and south of the city of Rotterdam. To allow ships to pass, the southern span boasts a 292ft long bascule bridge, the largest and heaviest if its kind in Europe. Popular for its aesthetic appeal, the bridge featured in the 2005 film ‘Who Am I?’ in which Red Bull Air Race planes flew underneath! Construction of the 2,650ft long, 6,800 tonne Erasmusbrug cost $110 million and was completed in 1996. Soon after opening to road traffic it was discovered that the bridge would sway under high wind and had to be retrofitted with dampeners.

Kintaikyo, Iwakuni

Kintaikyo: Possibly one of the most unlucky bridges in the world, Kintaikyo was reconstructed in the town of Iwakuni in 1673 after every other attempt to cross the Nishiki River via bridge had been foiled by seasonal flooding. Remarkably, the five wooden arches remained intact right up to 1950 when a typhoon finally destroyed them. However, intent on not being beaten, the bridge was again reconstructed three years later and is still crossable today!

Ponte Vecchio, Florence

Ponte Vecchio: The Ponte Vecchio in Florence is one of the most famous tourist spots in Italy, and is thought to be the oldest wholly-stone built, segmental arch bridge in Europe, although there are many partial segments which date further back. It was originally built of wood until destroyed by floods in 1333, and twelve years later it was rebuilt using stone. Famous for its lining of shops, the bridge has housed everybody from Medieval merchants and butchers to souvenir stalls and art dealers.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge: Completed in 1937 as the then longest suspension bridge in the world at a total length of 8,921ft, the Golden Gate Bridge is perhaps the most famous bridge in the world. Situated in San Francisco, the bridge was an enormous construction achievement at the time. It broke safety records as ‘only’ eleven construction workers were killed during construction, 19 others saved by the innovative safety net placed beneath. Photographed by thousands of tourists each year, the distinctive red paint coat is actually officially ‘international orange’, and was originally chosen to enhance visibility during the foggy conditions that are synonymous with the Bay area. The Golden Gate Bridge was brought in $1.3 million under budget at a cost of $27 million, carries 100,000 vehicles on an average day and requires 38 full-time painters for maintenance. 26 people are known to have survived the 4 second, 220ft fall at 75 mph into the strait below.

Tower Bridge, London

Tower Bridge: Completed in 1894 and designed by Horace Jones and Wolfe Barry, Tower Bridge (so named after the two, striking, 141ft high towers) is one of the most famous landmarks in London. The 800ft long bridge has a 28ft clearance when closed but raises in the centre to a maximum clearance of 140ft that allows ships to pass down the Thames. Back in the days when goods were moved by sea instead of air the bridge was raised around 50 times daily. Tower Bridge took 432 workers 8 years to build. During that time they sank 70,000 tonnes of concrete into 2 huge piers, lowered 2 counterbalanced bascules into place each weighing 1,000 tonnes and then clad the whole bridge in Portland stone and Cornish granite to disguise the 11,000 tonnes of steel beneath.

Oresund Bridge, Oresund Strait

Oresund Bridge [PDF]: At over 25,000ft long in total and 669ft tall the cable-stayed Oresund was opened in 2000 to connect Denmark and Sweden. The entire bridge weighs in at 82,000 tonnes, has one of the longest cable-stayed spans in the world at 1,608ft and carries 60,000 travellers by car, bus and train per day. Driving from Denmark you first pass through the man made island of Peberholm, disappearing into 13,287ft of undersea tunnel which takes you onto the Oresund Bridge proper before completing the journey into Sweden. Crossing the Oresund Bridge doesn’t come cheap (~$53, single, car) even though there are steep discounts for frequent travellers, which isn’t surprising considering it cost $3.8 billion.

Tsing Ma Bridge, Hong Kong

Tsing Ma Bridge: The gravity-anchored Tsing Ma Bridge in Hong Kong is the 6th largest suspension bridge in the world, and carries more rail traffic than any other bridge on earth. Construction of the Tsing Ma Bridge cost $900 million and opened in 1997 after 5 years of constant work. It has a main span of 4,518ft and is named after the two islands it connects - Tsing Yi and Ma Wan. Interestingly, 49,000 tonnes of structural steel were used in the construction of the deck while each 675 foot tall tower used 65,000 tonnes of concrete. The bridge has become a tourist attraction and is renowned for looking particularly spectacular when lit up at night. You can check it out on their live webcam.

Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney

Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney: Having celebrated its 75th birthday in 2007, the Sydney Harbour Bridge remains the widest long-span bridge in the world at a total length of 3,770ft, carrying rail, pedestrian and vehicular traffic across the harbour. Nicknamed ‘the coat hanger’ due to its arched shape, the bridge is often photographed with the nearby opera house, the pair acting as one of the most iconic images for the city and Australia itself. The longest span measures 1,650ft with the highest point on the arch 429ft above sea level. 800 homes in the area had to be demolished to make way for the bridge, which took 1,400 workers 8 years to build at a cost of about $12 million. Surprisingly (because it wasn’t massively expensive), the bridge was finally paid off in 1998!

Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge, SE Asia

Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge: The Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge is still at proposal stage, but if it does get a green light the 18 mile dual 3-lane carriageway bridge will reduce road travel times between Hong Kong and Macau from 4.5 hours currently to 40 minutes. It will include the construction of 2 man-made islands connected by an undersea tunnel to facilitate the safe passage of shipping.

Bosphorus Bridge, Istanbul

Bosphorus Bridge: Although it may not be the longest or largest bridge in the world, the Bosphorus Bridge in Turkey is renowned because it separates two continents, namely Europe and Asia. The Bosphorus Bridge was completed in 1973 with a main span of 3,523ft and clearance of 210ft. In 2005, American tennis star Venus Williams played a five-minute tennis match on the bridge with Turkish player Ipek Senoglu, the first tennis match ever to be played across two continents.

San Diego-Coronado Bridge, San Diego

San Diego-Coronado Bridge: Construction of the vehicle-only San Diego-Coronado Bridge finished in 1969 at a cost of $47.6 million, featuring a 90 degree curve during it’s 11,288ft length. It was built at a maximum height of 200ft to allow vessels to travel underneath; in fact it is tall enough to allow an empty aircraft carrier to pass. It has the unfortunate title of the third most popular suicide bridge in the USA with more than 200 recorded suicides between 1972 and 2000, behind the Golden Gate in San Francisco and the Aurora bridge in Seattle. It costs $1 nothing to use the bridge, which raised $8 million in revenue per annum when the (now defunct) toll booths were in operation. Oddly enough, a man who survived the 200 foot drop into San Diego Bay after he jumped holding a captured Belgian Malinois police dog (that was presumably chasing him) is now being held in lieu of $1 million bail and pleading not guilty to harming the animal!

Akashi-Kaikyo, Kobe-Naruto

Akashi-Kaikyo: The Akashi-Kaikyo bridge in Japan is the daddy of all suspension bridges, over 1,200ft longer than the 2nd place Great Belt Bridge in Denmark. Originally built to replace the dangerous Kobe-Iwaya ferry in 1998 which had suffered at the hands of numerous storms, the bridge crosses the Akashi Strait and cost around $4.5 billion to build. The statistics on this build are staggering; it took 2 million workers 10 years to build the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge. During that time they poured 1.4 million cubic meters of concrete, assembled 181,000 of structural steel, built 350,000 tonne anchor blocks at either end of the bridge and hooked up enough steel cable to circle the world 7 times!

Hangzhou Bay Bridge, Zhejiang

The Hangzhou Bay Bridge: When opened in 2007 at 22.4 miles long, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge linked the provinces of Shanghai and Ningbo is the second longest bridge in the world and has a $1.4 billion price label to match. The bridge won’t be open to the public until late 2008 and was the centre of huge controversy with many locals questioning the need to build a bridge of this type, as well as whether it was simply being constructed to rival the Lupu, a competing bridge in Shanghai. There are 2 main spans in the bridge, a 1,470 foot long northern span and a shorter 1,040 southern span. When it comes to length the Hangzhou Bay Bridge is second only to Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana.

Magdeburg Water Bridge, Magdeburg

Magdeburg Water Bridge: One of the most distinctively designed bridge on the list, the Magdeburg Water Bridge is exactly what its name suggests; a bridge made over water. It was built to connect the Elbe-Havel Canal and the Mittellandkanal, allowing cargo to travel between Berlin and the ports along the River Rhine without a tedious 7.5 mile detour. It does in fact actually cross the River Elbe! It took 6 years, $733 million, 68,000 cubic meters of concrete and 24,000 tonnes of structural steel to construct the 3,010ft long bridge.

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18 Stunning Bridges From Around The World