The Mighty Washington Monument: Size and Splendor

Have you ever wondered how tall the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. really is? This magnificent monument, dedicated to George Washington, the first president of the United States, holds some truly impressive records with its size. ## Size of the Washington Monument The Washington Monument is an obelisk, a four-sided, narrow, tapering monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape at the top. It stands at a staggering 554 feet tall and 7 11⁄32 inches, or 169.046 meters. This measurement comes from the U.S. Geodetic Survey measurements in 2013–2014. To understand how tall that is, let's make some size comparisons.

Size Comparisons

• If you laid out the Washington Monument on its side, it would be longer than an American football field, which is 360 feet long.
• The Washington Monument is over twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty, which stands at 305 feet. - It's also taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is 481 feet tall. - However, it's not as tall as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, which stands at 984 feet. For a brief period of time, between 1884 and 1889, the Washington Monument was the tallest structure in the world, until the Eiffel Tower took its place.

Materials and Construction

The Washington Monument is made of marble, granite, and bluestone gneiss, making it the world's tallest predominantly stone structure. The construction of this monumental column began in 1848 but was suspended from 1854 to 1877 due to funding challenges and other issues. Despite these obstacles, the monument eventually reached its towering height and remains a symbol of American perseverance and dedication.

The Monument Today

Today, the Washington Monument is a prominent feature on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., east of the Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial. Every year, it attracts millions of visitors from around the world who come to marvel at its size and learn about the legacy of George Washington. In conclusion, the Washington Monument is a remarkable structure not only for its historical significance but also for its impressive size. Standing at over 550 feet tall, it's a towering testament to the vision and determination of the American people.