Pictures, or images, may pop into our head when we think of certain countries around the world.   Those images have become symbols of the countries in which they are found.  These special places are an important part of that country's culture or heritage.  They may be the site of a monument, or a memorial, or something that was built very long ago.  Let's take a look at a few of these special places.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is one of the largest and most amazing projects of all time.   Construction began over 2,000 years ago!  The Great Wall stretches 4,500 miles.  That is longer than the distance between here, in New York State, and the furthest tip of Alaska!  The wall was built to keep people from the north, from invading China.  Today, the wall is important to the Chinese for many reasons.  It is a symbol of their history.   The Great Wall attracts as many as 15 million tourists each year!

The Kaaba

In the city of Mecca, in the country of Saudi Arabia, sits the most important monument in the world, to the Muslim people.  The Kaaba (kah-ba) is a large stone cube that sits in the center of a giant mosque in Mecca.  Mecca is the birthplace of Mohammed the Profit, who is the founder of the Islamic religion.  Every year, about 2 million Muslim people make the trip to Saudi Arabia to visit the Kaaba.  This monument is so important that Muslims all over the world, no matter where they are, kneel and face in the direction of the Kaaba when it is time to pray.

The Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is a monument that stands for our freedom, here in the United States of America.  But, did you know that the Statue of Liberty was actually a gift from France?  The statue was shipped across the Atlantic Ocean in pieces.  On July 4th, of 1884, the French presented the Statue of Liberty as a gift to the American people.  The Statue of Liberty stands over 300 feet tall, looking out over the New York Harbor.  She is a symbol of freedom throughout the world.

The Lincoln Memorial

If we visit Washington D.C., we can see another noteworthy monument.  The Lincoln Memorial is an important symbol of the history of the United States of America.  This memorial honors President Abraham Lincoln, who fought to save our nation during the Civil War.  Have you seen this building before?  Look on the back of any five dollar bill, and you will see the Lincoln Memorial.  The large statue of Abraham Lincoln seen here, is located inside the memorial.

The Roman Coliseum

The Roman Coliseum is located in Rome, Italy.  The Coliseum was built almost 2,000 years ago.  It was built to hold such events as gladiator fights and chariot races.  When the Coliseum was in use, it could hold over 50,000 people!  The Coliseum has become a symbol of the great history and architecture of the people of ancient Rome.  It is an important monument for the Italian people.  Many tourists from all over the world visit the Roman Coliseum every year.

The Eiffel Tower

Another monument that you might recognize is the Eiffel Tower (eye-full tower.) The Eiffel Tower is located in Paris, France. It was designed by a man named Gustave Eiffel.  The tower was built in 1889, for the Universal Exposition, which was a giant world fair.  The Eiffel Tower stands over 100 stories high. More than 7,000 tons of steel were used to build it!  Now, the Eiffel Tower is an important symbol of French culture, and recognized all over the world.  The Eiffel Tower also acts as a giant TV antenna!

The Pyramids

The Pyramids are located near Cairo, Egypt.  These famous monuments were first built over 4000 years ago, and used as tombs for important pharaohs.

The largest of the Pyramids is known as the Great Pyramid.  It is believed to have taken over 20 years to build.  The Great Pyramid is made up of over 2 million blocks of stone, each weighing about 5000 pounds!  The Great Pyramid stands 481 feet high.  Tourists from all over the world visit Egypt's pyramids each year.

Statue of Christ the Redeemer

High atop a mountain outside the city of Rio de Janeiro, in the country of Brazil sits the Statue of Christ the Redeemer.  This monument of Jesus, with his welcoming arms, is an important symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro, and the Brazilian people.  The Statue of Christ the Redeemer stands 98 feet tall.  It was completed in 1931.  Many tourists and residents of Rio de Janeiro like to climb the mountain and take a closer  look at the statue, as well as see the amazing view of the city with the Atlantic Ocean in the background. 

Definitions