Thursday, June 14, 2012

The Largest Barrier Reef

The Largest Barrier Reef - The Great Barrier Reef of Australia


      The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the largest range of corals in the world, with 2,300 miles long, with a width ranging from 20 to 240 km.

     The Great Barrier Reef coral can be seen from space and is the world's largest structure made only by living organisms composed of millions of tiny organisms known as coral polyps.


    The Great Barrier Reef is a huge range of corals, composed of about 2900 reefs, 600 continental islands and 300 coral atolls, located between the beaches of northern Australia and Papua New Guinea.


      It includes a rich biodiversity and has been named a World Heritage of Humanity in 1981 and one of the seven natural wonders of the world and a finalist in the list prepared by the New7Wonders Foundation.

      A large part of the reef is protected by the National Park of the Great Barrier Reef, which helps to limit the impacts of human use, such as fishing and tourism.


   Other environmental pressures on the reef surrounding the runoff, climate change accompanied by mass coral bleaching and outbreaks in the population of the sea star-crown-of-thorns that feeds on corals.


     The Great Barrier Reef has been known for its use by the local Aborigines and the natives of the Torres Strait Islands, and is an important component to the local culture.

    In this complex ecosystem, there are around 1500 species of fish, 360 species of coral, from 5000 to 8000 species of molluscs, 400 to 500 species of marine algae, 1330 species of crustaceans and over 800 species of echinoderms.


    Despite the biodiversity that is, the vast coral reef in danger of extinction because of pollution and marítma abnormal warming of waters caused by El Niño weather phenomenon.

   It is right destination for those going to Australia. The major barrier has sought beautiful island every year by tourists from around the world. Tourism is an important activity for the region, moving up to 1 billion dollars per year.


Saturday, April 28, 2012

The Longest Bridges

The Longest Bridges

1 - Bridge Haiwan Qingdao - China - 42,500 meters
    The Qingdao haiwan Bridge connects the city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong province with the suburban Huangdao District through the waters of the northern part of Jiaozhou Bay. They are 42.5 kilometers in length. Opened in 2011, the structure is the world's longest bridge over water.
       The bridge took four years to be built, worked on this project, at least 10,000 people.We used 450,000 tons of steel and 2.3 million cubic meters of concrete. designed to be able to withstand severe earthquakes, typhoons, and collisions with ships.


2 - Lake Pontchartrain Bridge - USA - 38,422 meters
   The Lake Pontchartrain Bridge consists of two parallel tracks that cross Lake Pontchartrain over a length of 38,422 meters and is the second longest bridge in the world.


3 - Manchac Swamp Bridge - U.S. - 36,710 meters
      The Manchac Swamp Bridge is a bridge located in the state of Louisiana in the United States. With a total of 36,710 meters in length and is the third longest bridge in the world.


4 - Hangzhou Bay Bridge - China - 36,000 meters
        The Hangzhou Bay Bridge is located in China, owns 36,000 meters long, was completed in 2008 and is the fourth longest bridge in the world.


5 - Bridge Runyang - China - 35,660 meters
        The Bridge of Runyang is located in China. It has 35,660 meters long, was completed in 2005, and is the fifth longest bridge in the world.


6 - Donghai Bridge - China - 31,500 meters
       The Donghai Bridge is located in China. It has a length of 31,500 meters, completed in 2005 is the sixth longest bridge in the world.


7 - Atchafalaya Basin Bridge - USA - 29,290 meters
       The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge is located in the United States. It has 29,290 meters in length, their work was completed in 1973, and the bridge is the seventh largest in the world.


8 - The King Fahd Causeway - Saudi Arabia - 25,000 meters
       The King Fahd Causeway is located between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Its length is 25,000 meters, was completed in 1986, and is the eighth largest bridge in the world.


9 - Bridge Vasco da Gama - Portugal - 17,300 meters
          The Vasco da Gama Bridge is a bridge over the Tagus river, in the greater Lisbon area, linking Lisbon to Montijo and Alcochete and Sacavém, was inaugurated in 1998, the bridge is the longest in Europe and is currently the ninth most extensive of all the world, with its 17.3 km length, of which 12 are on the waters of the Tagus estuary. The span (length of the board) of the central viaduct is 420 m 155 meters high.


10 - Bridge Penang - Malaysia - 13.500 meters
            The Penang Bridge is located in Malaysia. His work was completed in 1985, the bridge has a total of 13,500 meters, is the tenth largest bridge in the world.

Friday, April 27, 2012

The Largest Castle

The Largest Castle - Prague Castle

     Prague Castle (Prazsky Hrad) is located in Prague, the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, Hradcany Hill, where the city was founded on the left bank of Vltava. 

    Prague Castle occupies an area of ​​over 72,500 m². Because it is considered as the Guinness World Records Book, the largest castle in the world. 


      Prague Castle is one of the most important buildings of the city. It was founded in the ninth century and currently serves as the presidential residence, formerly inhabited by the kings of Bohemia. 


      Inside is the Cathedral of St. Vito, the Powder Tower, Royal Palace of Prague Castle, Dalibor Tower, Convent of St. George, Lobkowicz Palace and Golden Lane. 


       It was formerly a fort that dominated the region, where allowed to control all vessels passing through the river. Was home of several kings in ancient times and after, becoming the official residence of some Presidents of the Republic from 1918. 


       Today, the view of Prague Castle is a little different from the aspect that traditionally found in other castles. The whole is dominated by huge towers of the Cathedral of St.Vito. These towers rise well above all other buildings in the city. 


      Prague Castle, actually a small town, has several points open to visitors. The initial nucleus of the castle is a very interesting visit, but it actually consists of three castles independent, overlapping. 

       Each layer is built on a different time. Unfortunately not much remains of the older layers, but still, what can be seen clearly illustrates the history and style of his time. 


          The Cathedral of St. And Vitus Cathedral Wenceslas is the dominant point of the set, and is the very representation of the Czech state. Its construction took almost 600 years. Here, until 1836, were crowned the kings of the country. 


            Also in the cathedral, kings, princes, emperors and (future) saints were cremated. His mortal remains are here today. In it are kept the crown jewels. His chapel has walls covered with precious stones in 1300. 


          In the group of buildings that form the castle is also located the office of President of the Czech Republic, in a place not open to the public. Other interesting points of the castle are the Basilica of St. George, the monastery of St. George, Castle Gallery, Daliborka Tower, the Powder Tower, Lobkowicz Palace and the palace gardens. 

           The best way to reach the castle is by taking one of the trams that connect the center to the suburban neighborhoods, and are at the foot of the mountain where is located. From this point, a short, steep walk takes tourists to the entrance gate.

The Largest Geyser

The Largest Geyser - Steamboat

     Steamboat Geyser located in Yellowstone National Park, USA, is currently the world's tallest active.


       During its large eruptions, water can be flushed by more than 90 meters upwards.


     The last major eruption of Steamboat lasted 3-40 minutes, and are followed by powerful jets of steam.

      The Steamboat does not erupt on a predictable schedule.


      The interval between its large eruptions vary greatly, there were 4 days and up to 50years.

     The geyser was dormant from 1911 to 1961. Minor eruptions 3-5 meters are much more frequent.


       After the eruption of a geyser, large amounts of steam are coming out for up to 48 hours.

       The Steamboat Geyser has two openings, one north and one south, about five feet away.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The Largest Stadiums

The Largest Stadiums

1 - May Day Rungrado - Pyongyang - North Korea
     The Rungrado May Day is the largest football stadium in the world. It is located in the city of Pyongyang, North Korea and has a capacity of 150,000 spectators. It has multiple uses, with an athletics track and football field. In it plays a selection of North Korea.


2 - Salt Lake Stadium - Kolkata - India
    The Salt Lake Stadium, located in Bengali Yuva Bharati Krirangan, near Calcutta, in India's largest football stadium in the world with seating for 120,000 people. It was built in 1984 and is used for football and athletics. Many of the selection matches are played in India at this stage.


3 - Stadium Azteca - Mexico City - Mexico
    Located in Mexico City, is owned by media company Grupo Televisa. Its capacity is 115,064 spectators comfortably seated, making it the largest football stadium in America and 3 in the world. It is known by the nickname El Coloso de Santa Ursula. It was built in 1962 at the 9th World Cup, held in Mexico in 1970. It was the only stadium that has hosted games for 2 cups (1970, 1986). Today, those who use the stadium and the America of Mexico.


4 - Melbourne Cricket Ground - Melbourne - Australia
      The Melbourne Cricket Ground is a multi-use stadium used for football and especially for cricket (Australian football), located in the suburb of Yarra Park, Melbourne, state capital of Victoria, Australia. Its capacity is 100,000 and it was performed opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Melbourne in 1956. It was built in 1854 and has undergone several renovations over the years.


5 - Azadi Stadium - Tehran - Iran
    Located in the west of Tehran, capital of Iran, officially has a capacity of 98,000 spectators and was built to host the Asian Games in 1974. The stadium is part of a sports complex and is the official seat of Iran's team selection and the big World Cup games in the Persian Gulf. The stadium is shared by the two most popular clubs in the country.
With renovations completed in 2003, was reduced stadium capacity to 90,000 spectators, but behaved 100,000 spectators in the game to qualify for World Cup 2006 between Iran and Japan in March 2005.


6 - Camp Nou - Barcelona - Spain
       The Camp Nou (meaning "New Course"), is the stadium of FC Barcelona, ​​located close to Avenida Diagonal, one of the main streets of Barcelona, ​​Spain. It was opened in 1957 and his current capacity is 99,354 spectators, and the football stadium with increased capacity in Europe.


7 - Soccer City - Johannesburg - South Africa
      Soccer City is a football stadium located in Johannesburg, South Africa, which hosted the World Cup games in 2010, including the opening match and the end.
Built in 1987, had a capacity of 78,000 spectators. It was partially demolished for the 2010 World Cup, and expanded capacity for 94,787 spectators, making it the biggest stadium in Africa. Today it hosts the games in the South African team.


8 - Wembley Stadium - London - England
    Built in 1923, was demolished in 2003. It was completely rebuilt and completed in 2007.Located on the former site of the old stadium, the new Wembley Stadium will host the games of the England squad. The current capacity is 90,000 spectators and is connected subway station: Wembley Central and Wembley through "White Horse Bridge." The construction of the new Wembley is part of the project for the London Olympics in 2012.


9 - Gelora Bung Karno Stadium - Jakarta - Indonesia
     Bung Karno Stadium is a multipurpose stadium in the city of Jakarta, Indonesia, with capacity for 88,306 people. It was completed in 1962 to host the Asian Games the same year.


10 - Bukit Jalil Stadium - Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia
      Located in Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia, is a multipurpose stadium with capacity for 87,411 spectators and was built in 1998 to host the Commonwealth Games. It is considered the best stadium in Malaysia and hosts the games in the site selection. It is used for various events and most recently was remodeled to be a headquarters of the Asian Cup.

Monday, April 23, 2012

The Largest Cave

The Largest Cave - Hang Son Doong

       The Son Doong cave (Hang Son Doong) is the largest cave in the world, located in SonTrach, Bo Trach District, Quang Binh province, Vietnam.


        It was found by a local man named Ho Khanh in 1991 and was recently discovered in2009 by British cavers, led by Howard Limbert.


           The cave is 200 meters wide, 150 feet tall, and about 9 kilometers.

           The Son Doong cave was ranked as the largest cave in the world by the BCRA (British Cave Research Association).


            This huge cave is part of the National Park Phong Nha-Ke Bang, near the border with Laos.

       The cave is part of a network of about 150 caves, difficult to access, many have notinspected in the Annamite Mountains.


       To reach the cave, requires 6 hours of hiking a trail in the forest, 10 km away fromTruong Son road. The nearest city is Dong Hoi, 65 miles away and the capital, Hanoi, is located about 500 km.


          The cave has an underground river and a large inland lake, where measurements were made with a string of 200 meters and the bottom was not found.


       To get an idea of ​​its dimensions, a 40-story building could fit inside your gallery.


The Largest Aircraft Carrier

The Largest Aircraft Carrier - USS Enterprise

    With 342.3 meters long, 75.6 meters wide and 39.9 meters high, the USS Enterprise(CVN-65) is the largest carrier in the world.



        The USS Enterprise (CVN-65) was the first nuclear aircraft carrier to join the fleet of the Navy of the United States.


          It was also the first to be built in the world with this type of propulsion.

         The retirement is scheduled for 2014-2015, when it will be dismantled and replaced by the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) which is under construction.

         The Enterprise is the eighth North American warship to receive this name.

         The ship was built by Newport News Shipbuilding Co., started its activity on November 25, 1961 and is active today, with 50 years of service.

      The original plan envisaged the construction of six ships in the Enterprise Class, only theCVN-65 was completed. The cancellation of the other was motivated by the high costs.


      This aircraft carrier "part" of the recordings from the movie Top Gun - Top Gun, released in 1986, starring Tom Cruise.


         Like its predecessor of World War II, he was nicknamed "Big E".

       It is the only ship of its class, and the second oldest ship in commission from the U.S. Navy.


          Some data from this giant;
- Weight: 89,600 tonoledas
- Propulsion: 8 nuclear reactors and four propellers
- Length: 335.64 meters
- Width: 75.6 meters
- Height: 39.9 meters
- Speed: 30 knots
- Crew: 5830
- Armament: 2 missile sites from March to March Sea Sparrow, three 20 mm cannonsPhalax antiaérios
- Number of aircraft: 85