Famous Landscapes Built by Humans
There are thousands of famous landscapes constructed by humans all over the world, and they demonstrate the many vast achievements of human beings throughout history. Listed here are just a few of the world’s famous landscapes designed and built by thousands of years of human history and where on the Earth they can be found.
The Colosseum is the largest amphitheater of the ancient Roman Empire. Still standing today, although badly damaged by humans and time, the Colosseum was originally called the Flavion Amphitheatre. In its day the Colosseum held more than 50,000 spectators and was the site of gladiatorial contests, executions, battle reenactments and dramas. It was the center of Roman entertainment and still remains the iconic symbol of the ancient Roman Empire.
The Great Pyramids of Giza consists of three well preserved pyramids located in Egypt. It is believed that the great pyramid, the largest of the three, was built as a tomb for the pharaoh Khufu and contains three burial chambers. The smaller two pyramids are thought to burial tombs for his wives. Completed around 2551 BC after twenty years of labor by thousands of slaves, the perfectly constructed pyramids are a monument of human achievement still visible after thousands of years.
Located in Agra, India, another masterpiece of human design and engineering is the Taj Mahal Mausoleum. Built using Mughal architecture by the Emperor Shah Jahan, this wonderfully designed domed marble mausoleum was begun in 1632 and finished in 1653. It is still considered the jewel of Muslin art and attracts thousands of tourists each year.
Mount Rushmore, located in South Dakota in the United States, is a national memorial to the American presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. The 60 foot tall carved granite heads of the four influential presidents was started in 1927 and completed in 1941. Designed to increase tourism to the state of South Dakota, Mt. Rushmore receives 2 million visitors annually.
Stretching over 5500 miles long and built to protect the northern Chinese empire, The Great Wall of China actually consists of many earth and stone walls, trenches, and natural barriers. Since the 5th century BC, the wall has been rebuilt many times; the spectacular remains that can still be seen today are from the Ming Dynasty era. It is another example of great human endeavor.
Located in Wiltshire, England and built around 2500 BC for unknown reasons, Stonehenge is one of the earliest examples of human achievement. This prehistoric monument of stacked stones in a circular pattern may be a burial ground, a sun or moon dial or a site of ancient pagan rituals. There is still much about this monument that is unknown.
Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian Inca site in Peru that sits 7970 feet above sea level. Known as “The Lost City of the Incas”, this site is believed to the estate of the Inca emperor Pachacuti. It was built starting around 1400 AD but was abandoned by its builders in the 1500’s after the arrival of the Spanish. It remains an important tourist attraction today.
The White House is one of America’s favorite tourist attractions and is one of the most famous landscapes in the world. It is located in Washington DC in America and is the official workplace and home to the President of the United States. It was constructed between 1792 and 1800 and has housed the President and his family dating back to John Adams. It is the national symbol for the presidency and its iconic white columns are known the world over as a symbol of the American government.