In 1994, the
American Society of Civil Engineers compiled a list of the Seven Wonders of the
Modern World. This was done to pay tribute to the 20th century's greatest civil
engineering achievements.
Panama
Canal - Panama
The Panama
Canal, an artificial 77 km waterway in Panama is one of the Seven Wonders of
the Modern World. It serves the vital function of connecting the Pacific Ocean
to the Atlantic Ocean across the Isthmus of Panama, facilitating international
maritime trade. Regarded as one of the biggest and most difficult engineering
projects of the modern times, the Panama Canal has greatly reduced the time for
ships to move between the oceans. The ships can now avoid the hazard-filled and
time-taking route around Cape Horn, South America’s southernmost tip.
Delta
Works/ Zuiderzee Works - the Netherlands
The Delta
Works/ Zuiderzee Works is one of the largest hydraulic engineering projects
undertaken by the Netherlands in the 20th century. The project involved the
construction of a massive system of man-made dams, dikes, water drainage
systems, land reclamation works, etc. The Zuiderzee Works involved the damming
of a stretch of water in an inlet of the North Sea and reclamation of land in
the newly created dam. It aims to control flood and facilitate agriculture.
Itaipu
Dam - Paraguay/Brazil
The Itaipu
Dam is a major hydroelectric project that is located on the Paraná River
between Paraguay and Brazil. The project is a binational undertaking that was
completed in 1984. The Itaipu Dam has an installed generation capacity of 14
GW. 20 generator units are part of the project of which ten generate at 60 Hz
for Brazil, and the other ten generate at 50 Hz for Paraguay.
Channel
Tunnel - France/UK
The Channel
Tunnel is a tunnel that runs beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover
from Folkestone, Kent, in the United Kingdom to Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais,
France. The channel is 50.5 km long with a 37.9 km long undersea portion. The
channel is 250 ft deep at its lowest point. Trains are allowed to run through
the tunnel at a maximum speed of 160 km/hr. The tunnel provides passage to
high-speed Eurostar passenger trains, Eurotunnel Shuttle, and international
freight trains.
CN Tower
- Toronto, Canada
The 553.33
m-high CN Tower is found in downtown Toronto, the largest city in both the
province of Ontario and the country of Canada itself. The tower's construction
was completed in 1976. It held the title of the world's tallest free-standing
structure for 34 years since its completion. Presently, the CN Tower is the
Western Hemisphere’s tallest free-standing structure and the iconic symbol of
Toronto’s skyline and Canada. More than two million visitors visit the CN Tower
every year.
Empire
State Building - New York City, USA
The
102-story tall Empire State Building is famous for being one of the first
skyscrapers ever built, and is one of the most famous buildings in New York.
The building rises to a height of 1,454 feet. For nearly 40 years, the Empire
State Building enjoyed the title of being the world’s tallest building. The
building serves as a cultural icon of America. The Empire State Building has
been featured in several films, television shows, and literature. Nearly 110
million people have visited this New York City attraction. The 86th-floor
observation deck of the Empire State Building offers an impressive view of the
entire city.
Golden
Gate Bridge - California, USA
The Golden
Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the 1.6 km wide, 4.8 km long Golden
Gate Strait between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. The bridge links
the city of San Francisco to the less densely populated Marin County. The
Golden Gate Bridge has been called the most photographed bridge in the world.
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