Most Amazing Architecture in the World

Can you imagine a building 200 meters tall? Though not really considered an art, one cannot deny the tag looking at some of these modern marvels. The tall, magnificent buildings of today truly require skill coupled with imagination. With the right tools, perspective and creativity, these pieces of architecture are no less than art.
Chinese Central Television building
The Chinese Central Television Building is a loop of six horizontal and vertical buildings covering 473,000 square meters of floor space. The structure is 234 meters tall and has 54 floors. The design is by Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren, of OMA the world’s most renowned architects and the multifaceted engineering skills are those of Arup. Meeting seismic requirements the two-building structure is connected with meticulous expertise timing it for early morning when there were no temperature differences. The buildings house production studios, filming areas both indoor and outdoors, media park and public entertainment facilities. The construction commenced in 2004 and completed on 26 December 2007.

Taipei 101
Taipei 101 is a 101 floor building in Taipei, Taiwan. It Stands 1670 ft. tall, and is an artistic masterpiece that adds to the beauty of Taipei. It is considered to be the world’s tallest building due to – highest structure, highest roof and highest occupied floor. The construction was designed by C.Y.Lee & partners and executed by KTRT Joint Venture from 1999-2004. Only Burj Dubai tower is to have been taller building on completion and till then Taipei 101 held the record. On December 15, 2004, it earned the honor of having world’s fastest elevators attaining speeds of 1010 m/min, designed and erected by Toshiba and it takes just 39 seconds to climb 89 levels.

Beijing International Airport
China is rising as a new economic power in the world and its rapid growth in all spheres is a proof of it. It has some of the world’s greatest architecturally amazing buildings. The Beijing International Airport is one such spectacular example. It was designed by Foster & Partners, and was opened in the March 2008. It is Feng Shui compliant it is an excellent example of Chinese traditions. To facilitate passengers differentiate between different segments of the vast areas, skylights shed different shades of yellow and red light across walls- a unique means to guide passengers. It has an environment management system that helps decrease carbon emanations, and use of the skylights on a south-east axis helps to keep the building cool.

Most Destructive Natural Disasters

When earth itself was born out of natural disasters, one can hardly blame it for something that happens simply due to the way our planet has been formed. Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes are all part of nature, where we mortal can do nothing but be in awe of the destruction that these can cause. Did you know that the worst ever natural disaster occurred barely six years back? Here are some of the worst natural disasters in the world:
1. 2004 Tsunami
It was a result of a marine earthquake of a magnitude of between 9.1 and 9.3, which occurred on 26 December, 2004, having epicenter off the Sumatran west coast. The earthquake generated huge destructive tsunamis around the coastline of the landmasses in the Indian Ocean. Over 230,000 fatalities were reported from fourteen countries, also floods with waves as high as 30 meters were observed. Indonesia had the maximum damage followed by India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

2. 1201, Middle East
In about 1201-02 an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 on Richter Scale, occurred in Syria, Egypt and other surrounding countries killing almost 1.1 million people. The aftershocks were reported for four days from Damascus, Hamah, and Cairo. Rather than earthquake, more people died due to diseases and hunger. Records show that shocks were observed in far off places like Anatolia, Armenia, and Iran.
3. Cyclone Nargis
It appeared on April 27, 2008 and dissipated on May 3, 2008 with strongest winds reaching 103 – 135 mph. The coastal regions of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, and Burma were the most affected killing about 145,000 and many reported missing. The rehabilitation cost went up to $10 billion.

4. Floods in China, 1959
Floods have been one of the most destructive natural occurring disasters in china. An immense flooding of Yangtze River in 1931 caused about 3 million fatalities mostly due to diseases and hunger. Also in 1938-39 about a million people died due to floods and not to forget the flooded water of Yellow River of 1887 which claimed about 900,000 lives.
Natural disasters are closely related to the geographical region. It is needless to say that people staying in the vicinity of an epicenter or active volcano are probably the bravest in the world.

Most Dangerous Bridges

Which is the most dangerous bridge in the world? The one at the highest crossing in the world, or one with weak structure! Well, maybe both of these. Bridges are used for crossing over a hurdle such as gorge or river. Here are some of the most dangerous and precarious bridges in the world.

1. Inca Rope Bridge
The bridge is situated in the southern province of Kanas, and made of special herbs through manual labor. The structure made of ropes spans 366 meters and is renovated every year by the local inhabitants. They are a simple suspension type bridge used for crossing deep rivers, gorges to facilitate travel within the Inca Empire and were an integral part of its road network. Supported by plaited branches and cables made of grass these bridges could sustain pressures of speeding horses and carts.

2. Hussaini – Borit Lake, Pakistan
The Hussaini-Borit Lake Bridge in Northern Pakistan is a major tourist spot for sheer thrills. Built on Hussaini Borit Lake, no authentic record is available of its creator. This picturesque piece of engineering is considered among the most dangerous bridges in the world because of the difficulty it poses while crossing. This is because of the instability in balance and wide spacing of the wooden planks to step on. The bridge swings viciously due to winds and travelers risk the chance of being thrown off in the water to possible death. It is located close to the village Passu surrounded by small hamlets.

3. Glen Nevis Wire Rope Bridge
It is a fine-looking bridge and popular in Lochaber, Scotland, having Fort William located at its base. It is surrounded by the Mamore range in the south, while Ben Lewsi which is the highest mountains located in the British Isles, cover the north.,
It has one of the three highest waterfalls in Scotland named Steall Falls, where the Allt Coire a’Mhail meets Nevis in the glen. Glen Nevis is a picturesque and well-liked glen in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland

4. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
The famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge spans a chasm 80 feet deep. Earlier its structure had only one cable hand bar and broadly placed planks which enabled the people to go across. The single hand bar was later substituted with two hand bar bridge. The existing one was set up as an additional security measure.Though there is no major accident on record, on many occasions visitors had to be evacuated as they were unable to walk back over the bridge. Constructed to serve the requirement of local fisher folk, the uniqueness of its construction made it a tourist destination.