Summer vacation season is getting closer. Some New Jersey engineers enjoy beaches and resorts for an awesome vacation, but others enjoy the sight-seeing and adventures of a new place. Whatever your preference is we’re sure you’ll find these five engineering structures worth the visit!
This is the world’s longest bridge at 102.4 miles long and can be found connecting the cities of Shanghai and Nanjing in China. This bridge is unique because it is built in a viaduct design. If you’re staying in Shanghai, there are a number of other amazing destinations you won’t want to miss, like the Jin Mao Tower and Skywalk and Shanghai’s Promenade: The Bund.
The Palm Islands are three man-made islands on the coast of Dubai. These islands were created with commercialization in mind. The resort island stands out as an engineering marvel because it was created from the sea floor up. Three billion cubic feet of sand was dredged up from the bottom of the ocean and with concrete supports. The sand was used to shape the palm tree structure and support the hotel.
Located in Moscow, Russia, St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of Moscow’s most famous structures. This cathedral to Russians is what the Eiffel Tower is to the French. It was constructed from 1555 to 1561, and legend has it that Ivan the Terrible blinded the architect to prevent him from building another structure as beautiful as the cathedral.
Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey has made it’s transformation over the years from a church to a mosque to a museum. The structure primarily carries characteristics of two different cultures – Byzantium and Ottoman Empires. Throughout history, Hagia Sophia has been an important site of worship for both Christians and Muslims, and it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site in Istanbul.
The Dancing House, also known as Fred and Ginger, in Prague, Czech Republic was constructed from 1992 to 1996. The structure features two towers, a glass and a stone tower. The stone is meant to symbolize Fred Astaire and the glass tower, Ginger Rogers. The nontraditional design was controversial at the time because it did not blend in with the Baroque, Gothic, and Art Nouveau buildings that Prague is famous for. Exploring Prague, you’re sure to find tons of amazing structures.
Wherever you decide to go, sight-seeing will be aplenty! New Jersey engineers have the world at their fingertips. As you continue to work in the field of engineering, getting inspiration from other cultures and states can help you grow. Don’t let these amazing opportunities pass you by.
