Introduction Have you ever wondered what the tallest arch in the world looks like? Or how tall is the tallest arch compared to other famous landmarks? Let’s take a journey to St. Louis, Missouri, United States, and discover the majestic Gateway Arch, a symbol of westward expansion in the United States. It’s not just an arch; it’s a monument that tells a story of America’s history.
Size of the Gateway Arch The Gateway Arch is an impressive structure. It stands 630 feet tall (192 meters). To help you imagine just how tall that is, let’s compare it to some other things:
- It’s more than twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty, which is 305 feet tall. - It’s taller than two football fields placed end to end. - If you’ve ever seen a 60-story building, the Gateway Arch is as tall as that! The steel structure of the Gateway Arch isn’t just tall; it’s also wide. The base of the Arch is as wide as it is tall, spreading 630 feet (192 meters) from one leg to the other.
More Interesting Facts About the Gateway Arch The Gateway Arch isn’t just known for its size. It also has some interesting facts related to its construction and purpose:
- The Arch was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen in 1947. - Construction of the Arch began on February 12, 1963, and was completed on October 28, 1965. - The total cost of constructing the Arch was $13 million, equivalent to $86.5 million in 2018. - The Arch was officially opened to the public on June 10, 1967. - The Gateway Arch is located at the site where St. Louis was founded in 1764, on the west bank of the Mississippi River.
The Gateway Arch: A Symbol and a Landmark The Gateway Arch is more than just a tall and wide steel structure. It’s a monument dedicated to “the American people” and a symbol of the westward expansion of the United States. It’s often referred to as “The Gateway to the West”.
The Arch is also a National Historic Landmark, located in Gateway Arch National Park. It’s become an internationally recognized symbol of St. Louis and attracts tourists from all over the world.
Conclusion The Gateway Arch is a unique structure, not just because of its size but also because of what it represents. It’s a towering monument that commemorates the American spirit of adventure and discovery. So the next time you’re in St. Louis, don’t miss the chance to visit the tallest arch in the world and marvel at its impressive size and historical significance.
Smaller By Category
Washington Monument
The Washington Monument is the world's tallest obelisk, as well as the world's tallest stone structure. It was the world's tallest structure from 1884 to 1889. After that it was the Eiffel Tower, which is to the upper-right.
Great Pyramid of Giza
This picture is actually of the Giza Necropolis. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the pyramid on the left. It is the oldest one, built by the Egyptians in 2560 BC. It was the tallest man-made structure for almost 4,000 years.
Saturn V
Saturn V is the tallest and heaviest rocket ever! That's pretty cool. It was used from 1968-1972 and was the only vehicle used to launch humans far away from the Earth, to places such as the Moon.
Larger By Category
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam, which was built on the Colorado River, holds in the largest reservoir in the United States, Lake Mead. Not only does the Hoover Dam provide water, but its turbines also generate electricity.
Titanic
The Titanic sank when it hit an iceberg. Although it was capable of holding enough lifeboats for 4,000 people, they decided they only needed enough lifeboats for 1,178 people. There were 2,228 people on the Titanic.
AM Radio Wavelength
A and M are the first and thirteenth letters of the alphabet. One is a perfect square, while thirteen is not. We all have our differences, and we have to learn to accept them. That's the only way we'll live in harmony.