Buzz
It's clear that technology has revolutionized the way we experience our world, with Google Earth being a prime example. This incredible tool, available for free at earth.google.com, lets you travel across the globe like never before. But Google Earth offers more than just a glimpse of your home (though who hasn't checked out their house on Google Earth?). Here are 10 remarkable destinations to explore using this tool. Simply enter the coordinates into the search bar and hit Enter to be transported to each site. These are listed in no particular order.
One important tip: consider turning off the Geographic Web layer in the sidebar (if it's enabled). For some locations, this feature will display little blue boxes representing user-submitted photos. While these can be fun to explore, they may get in the way of fully appreciating the view.
Google Earth offers countless other fascinating spots to discover, and if this list is well-received, I'll gladly create another one, featuring even more iconic landmarks.
10. Krakatoa 6.102°S 105.423°E
On August 27, 1883, after weeks of rumbling and minor eruptions, the island of Krakatoa erupted violently in a series of four major volcanic explosions. These eruptions were so intense that their sounds were heard clearly 3,000 miles away, and they caused global weather disruptions for years. The shockwave generated by the eruption circled the Earth seven times! Since then, the island has gradually rebuilt itself and is now known as Anak Krakatau (Son of Krakatoa). It remains an active volcano, continuously growing since the 1950s. Could another eruption similar to Krakatoa be on the horizon? Only time will reveal the answer.
9. Meteor Crater 35°1′38″N 111°1′21″W
Located about 43 miles east of Flagstaff, AZ, lies a massive crater approximately 4,000 feet across and 570 feet deep. It was formed around 40,000 years ago by a meteor about 54 yards in diameter. Originally thought to be the site of a volcanic eruption, the crater was identified in 1903 by Daniel Barringer, a mining engineer and businessman, as the result of a meteorite impact. On August 8, 1964, Capt. John L. Kidd and pilot Gary Chapin crash-landed their Cessna 150 in the crater after experiencing a loss of lift. They had planned to fly over but ended up circling until their fuel ran out. Both pilots survived, and the remains of their plane can still be seen today. For the full story (and photos), go here
8. Vredefort Crater 27°0′0″S 27°30′0″E
While we're on the topic of meteor craters, it's worth checking out the largest confirmed impact crater on Earth, located in South Africa. To fully appreciate its vastness, you'll need to zoom out a bit. This colossal crater, formed by an asteroid roughly 6 miles across, spans an impressive 186 miles in diameter! The crater is believed to be over 2 billion years old.
7. Great Pyramid of Giza 29°58′34″N 31°07′58″E
The last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid at Giza, was built around the 23rd century BC. These pyramids were designed to house the earthly remains of Egypt's great pharaohs, and their positioning may symbolize the 'Belt of Orion.' If you zoom out a bit from the central pyramid and shift southeast, you will also clearly spot the iconic Great Sphinx.
6. Burj Khalifa 25°11′49.7″N 55°16′26.8″E
The Burj Khalifa, formerly called Burj Dubai, stands as the tallest man-made structure on the planet, reaching an extraordinary height of 2,717 feet. While it's difficult to view the entire building on Google Earth, its massive shadow is unmistakably visible. The building holds a remarkable 14 world records, including being the tallest structure, the fastest elevator (40 mph), and the highest swimming pool (on the 76th floor). The construction cost a modest $1.5 billion (U.S.).
5. Sydney Opera House 33°51′25″S 151°12′53″E
Designed and primarily constructed by Jørn Utzon, the Sydney Opera House was finalized in 1973 (with construction beginning in 1959) at a cost of $102 million. The Concert Hall, with a seating capacity of 2,678, houses the Sydney Opera House Great Organ, the largest mechanical tracker action organ in the world, featuring over 10,000 pipes. The Opera Theater accommodates 1,507, the Drama Theater seats 544, and the Playhouse (an end-stage theater) can hold 398. Additionally, the Studio and the Utzon Room offer flexible seating for up to 400 and 210, respectively.
4. Stonehenge 51°10′43.84″N 1°49′34.28″W
Dating back to around 2500 BC, Stonehenge is believed to have been used as a burial ground by Bronze Age cultures in the area. Little is known beyond that, as the builders left no written records, leading to much speculation about its purpose, some of which is quite imaginative. The most widely accepted theories suggest that it was either a primitive observatory or a site of religious worship. On Google Earth, you can spot the Heelstone to the northeast of the monument, right next to the road, and the remnants of two other henges are visible to the southwest.
3. Statue of Liberty 40°41′38″N 74°2′37″W
Last, but certainly not the least, we reach the Statue of Liberty, an emblem of freedom and hope in New York Harbor. This monumental gift from France, given in 1886, stands at 151 feet tall, or 305 feet when including the pedestal. Officially named Liberty Enlightening the World, the statue is one of the most recognized symbols of the United States. With millions of visitors each year, few may notice the broken shackles at her feet, or the inscription on the book she holds, reading July IV MDCCLXXVI. Crafted from copper and supported by a steel frame, the statue’s brilliant copper exterior has aged into a striking blue-green patina. From 1886 to 1902, the statue's torch was used as a lighthouse, but it was decommissioned after it was found to disorient migrating birds. Despite the passing of time, one can still imagine the statue’s original gleam under the sunlight, as it once reflected the bright glow of copper.
2. Christ the Redeemer 22°57′6″S 43°12′39″W
The 130-foot statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, stands proudly atop the Corcovado Mountains, gazing down over the city. Its construction began in 1922 and was completed in 1931. In July 2007, it was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. On the statue’s 75th anniversary in October 2006, Archbishop Eusebio Oscar Scheid of Rio consecrated a chapel beneath it, dedicated to the patron saint of Brazil—Nossa Senhora Aparecida, or 'Our Lady of the Apparition.' This chapel now hosts Catholic ceremonies such as baptisms and weddings.
1. The Spring Temple Buddha 33.775150°N 112.451016°E
The Spring Temple Buddha, standing at an astounding 502 feet (including the pedestal), holds the title of the world’s tallest statue. Completed in 2002 at a cost of $55 million, it depicts Vairocana Buddha, symbolizing Emptiness (shunyata). Before their destruction by the Taliban in 2001, the Buddhas of Bamyan were the largest standing Buddhas on earth. The Spring Temple Buddha was conceived soon after the devastation of those ancient statues.
