Do you think you know everything about the world’s most popular tourist attractions ? Discover the amazing secrets behind these 13 travel destinations .
The Golden Gate
San Francisco’s famous suspension bridge isn’t really ‘gold’, its official paint color is ‘international orange’. Goldengatebridge.org even publishes the color formula used to achieve this shade of orange, so fans of the bridge can replicate the exact tone at home. The bridge is named after the waterway it spans, the Golden Gate Strait, not its color.
New York, United States
Did you know that 40% of New York ‘s subway system is above ground and operates 24 hours a day? Did you know that London attracts more international visitors than any other city on the planet? Read on to discover more interesting trivia and to learn some interesting facts about the world’s most famous tourist attractions.
Hong Kong
Tourists sensitive to vertigo who visit the Pacific coasts be warned. Hong Kong ‘s skyline features more skyscrapers than New York.
Big Ben
If you believe that Big Ben is the tower of the Parliament of London, you are mistaken. According to the UK Parliament website, the tower is officially called the Clock Tower. Big Ben is the nickname for the clock bell.
Australia
Don’t forget your bathing suit and a snorkel, because life really happens on the beach in Australia. The country claims more than 10,000 beaches, more than any other nation.
Statue of Liberty
Pointing triumphantly skyward over the waters of New York Harbor , the Statue of Liberty is one of America’s most beloved attractions. But, surprisingly, this iconic American landmark began life in Europe. Built by French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, the statue took 9 years to complete and was shipped by ship from France to New York in 350 pieces.
Eiffel Tower
For more than 600 Parisians , the elegant Eiffel Tower serves as their daily workplace.
The Grand Canyon
This canyon in Arizona is certainly big, but it’s not the biggest in the world. The Tsangpo in Tibet currently holds the title of the largest and deepest canyon on the planet. The Grand Canyon is a close second.
Niagara Falls
According to the City of Niagara Falls, more than 6 million cubic feet of water rushes every minute from the top of the “Horseshoe” waterfall, enough water to fill a million bathtubs to the brim in 60 seconds. However once, in March 1848, the water stopped flowing. A temporary blockage at the mouth of the Niagara River in Fort Erie, Ontario caused the roaring waterfall to reduce its flow to a quiet trickle.
Vatican City
Museum lovers, pack your bags for Italy. The Vatican Museums have the largest museum complex in the world, featuring a multitude of treasures and masterpieces collected by different popes throughout the ages.
The great Wall of China
Despite claims from various sources, including Ripley’s Believe It Or Not , from the 1930s, NASA certifies that the Great Wall of China is not visible from the moon.
The “Hollywood” sign
California’s famous “Hollywood” sign was built in 1923 as a huge billboard. Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler erected this pediment to advertise his high-end real estate development. At the time, the sign read “Hollywoodland” and had an expected lifespan of one year. Eighty years later, this temporary signage attracts visitors from all over the world who dream of Hollywood .
The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia
Barcelona’s most popular tourist attraction, the Sagrada Família basilica is an extravagantly unfinished work. Construction of this Gaudi-designed church began in 1882 and continues to this day. Funded entirely by donations, the unique Sagrada Família is one of Barcelona’s most recognizable symbols.
Walt Disney World Resort
Not only is Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida the most popular theme park in the world, it’s also the largest. This enchanted world, with its amusement parks, hotels, campsites and shows, can rival many big cities. In fact, Disney World spans an area twice the size of the island of Manhattan. This resort is also the largest single-site employer in the United States, with over 50,000 workers bustling behind its magical doors.
