In an attempt to get the thread back where it should be going...

Landmarks by Continent

Europe: Eiffel Tower
North America: Statue of Liberty
South America: Christ the Redeemer
Asia: Great Wall of China
Australia: Sydney Opera House
Africa: Pyramids

According to an online survey published on 23 december 2009,the Eiffel Tower is the world favourite monument for foreign tourists (10 000) ahead of Saint-Pierre of Rome Basilica and the Taj Mahal.

http://a7.img.v4.skyrock.net/a79/charlesvilleneuve/pics/2545932361_small_3.jpg Eiffel Tower, 120 years old (1889-2009)

Full ranking:

1-Eiffel Tower (Paris)
2-Basilique Saint-Pierre de Rome
3-Taj Mahal (Agra)
4-Golden Gate (San Francisco)
5-Empire State Building (New York)
6-Statue of Liberty(New York)
7-Sydney Opera
8-Sagrada Familia (Barcelona)
9-Acropole (Athens)
10-Christ Rédempteur (Rio de Janeiro)

My top 5 being:

1-Eiffel Tower (sorry to be chauvinistic but I love it so much...)
2-Corcovado
3-Statue of Liberty
4-Great Pyramid of Giza
5-Sagrada Familia

http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-voyages/2010-01-01/sondage-la-tour-eiffel-monument-prefere-des-touristes/1088/0/409795 (http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-voyages/2010-01-01/sondage-la-tour-eiffel-monument-prefere-des-touristes/1088/0/409795)

I agree on this survey result :)

Eiffel tower (Paris), Atomium (Brussels) are typically landmarks. But there are so much landmarks that I can give them all here.

Landmark of the 21st century will be this I think.

http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/03/dzn_sq_ArcelorMittal-Orbit-lr.jpg



That tower of Pisa is more and more falling :s

what the heck is this! haha looks older than the old landmarks

btt, i think its the eiffel

Yeah, what is it? Does it exist or is that a render?

It's the ugly observation thing they're building for London 2012.

oh god its real?! its horrible, theres a lot more better designs than that

This ArcelorMittal Orbit Tower (even its name is heavygoing), unveiled a couple of weeks ago which you guys call a "thing" is supposed to be (I quote) :" London's answer to the Eiffel Tower" :doh: , well ok, if you say so...:lol:

In the below video, they seem to have chosen the rare positive comments, but overall ,there's been quite a big controversy over it as it's not extremely "popular" (euphemism).

0BLYiVYM0Dw&feature=fvw

I dunno whether it will become an iconic stucture or not (only time will tell), but even though I'm not very fond of it, I think it's pretty original though, it might be much better "in the flesh" IMO. I hope they modify the observation platform whose plain shape spoils the whole structure even more I reckon.

SORRY(ERROR) , PLEASE DELETE, MANY THANKS

One of the most stunning/majestic/iconic (one of my favourite) monuments on the planet was vandalised over the past week by yobs who took advantage of the rare closure of Mount Corcovado, following deadly landslides, to gain access to the Christ the Redeemer statue, spraying black graffiti up the figure's head and arms, said Bernardo Issa, head of the Tijuca National Park.They even wrote "Quando o gato sai, os ratos fazem a festa" on it......:ohno:("When the cat's away the mice will play").

http://img.zigonet.com/graffiti/bresil-le-christ-redempteur-vandalise_20641_w560.jpghttp://www.voyageinedit.com/images/stories/photos/lieuxbresil/vue-de-rio-du-christ-redempteur.jpg

http://oglobo.globo.com/fotos/2010/04/15/15_MHG_RIO_cristo1.jpg
:ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::mad2::bleep::wallbash::mad:

http://www.gamesbids.com/forums/topic/17422-christ-the-redeemer-monument-vandalised/ (http://www.gamesbids.com/forums/topic/17422-christ-the-redeemer-monument-vandalised/)

_________________________________________________________________

http://img.zigonet.com/graffiti/bresil-le-christ-redempteur-vandalise_20641_w560.jpghttp://www.voyageinedit.com/images/stories/photos/lieuxbresil/vue-de-rio-du-christ-redempteur.jpg

http://oglobo.globo.com/fotos/2010/04/15/15_MHG_RIO_cristo1.jpg
:ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::mad2::bleep::wallbash::mad:

http://www.gamesbids.com/forums/topic/17422-christ-the-redeemer-monument-vandalised/ (http://www.gamesbids.com/forums/topic/17422-christ-the-redeemer-monument-vandalised/)

_________________________________________________________________

1. how can anyone climb up on statue
2. why??'

^^It is being repaired in places where it has weathered over time. I assume those who graffiti'd it climbed on the scaffolding.

I think the Kremlin in Moscow, Eiffel tower, Big Ben, Opera House in Sydney, Statue of Liberty are the most popular landmarks in the World)

In my opinion:

1.Pyramids of Giza
2.The Eiffel Tower
3.The Statue of Liberty
4.Big Ben
5.The Great Wall of China
6.Colosseum
7.Red Square
8.St. Peter's Basilica & Square
9.Sidney Opera House
10.Taj Mahal

Honorable mentions: Christ the Reedeemer, Golden Gate, St. Mark Square in Venice, Machu Pichu, Neuschwanstein Castle, Tower of Pisa.

All other landmarks are not so famous as these ones IMO. But that's based on my perception, someone else might compile a slightly different list. I live close to Italy and it's quite clear from my list. :lol:

Another thing is, that there are lots of other magnificent structures or buildings that are totally overlooked. We could also compile a list of the most underrated landmarks.

Eiffel Tower

Great Landmarks in Europe
World Icons in Europe

Eiffel Tower
http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/5033/wallpaper1481359447.jpg (http://img826.imageshack.us/i/wallpaper1481359447.jpg/)

Colosseum
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/654/coliseu.jpg (http://img69.imageshack.us/i/coliseu.jpg/)

Acropolis
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/8700/1441853.jpg (http://img409.imageshack.us/i/1441853.jpg/)

Vatican
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3104/vaticano1.jpg (http://img201.imageshack.us/i/vaticano1.jpg/)

Tower of Pisa
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/627/guiaconstruirereformar3.jpg (http://img834.imageshack.us/i/guiaconstruirereformar3.jpg/)

Arch of Triumph
http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/511/parisarcodotriunfo.jpg (http://img812.imageshack.us/i/parisarcodotriunfo.jpg/)

Red Square
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8320/465zoom.jpg (http://img339.imageshack.us/i/465zoom.jpg/)

St. Sophia Cathedral (or Hagia Sophia)
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5546/istanbulhagiasophiap.jpg (http://img269.imageshack.us/i/istanbulhagiasophiap.jpg/)

Tower Clock or Clock Tower
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/964/londonbigbenphonebox11.jpg (http://img833.imageshack.us/i/londonbigbenphonebox11.jpg/)

Honorable mentions: Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (Spain), Landesportal Brandenburg and Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, Notre Dame Cathedral and Louvre Museum in Paris, and London Eye.

Great Landmarks in the Americas:
World Icons in the Americas

Statue of Liberty
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/1773/3703891028a0dd2ba158o.jpg (http://img830.imageshack.us/i/3703891028a0dd2ba158o.jpg/)

Rio's statue of Christ the Redeemer
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2377/riodejaneiro.jpg (http://img214.imageshack.us/i/riodejaneiro.jpg/)

Hollywood Sign
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1700/hollywoodsign.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/i/hollywoodsign.jpg/)

The Empire State Building
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/5962/800pxempirestatebuildin.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/i/800pxempirestatebuildin.jpg/)

Golden Gate Bridge
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/892/800pxgoldengatebridge00.jpg (http://img833.imageshack.us/i/800pxgoldengatebridge00.jpg/)

White House
http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/1398/20532.jpg (http://img825.imageshack.us/i/20532.jpg/)

Honorable mentions: Chichén Itzá in Mexico, Machu Picchu in Peru and the palace of the American National Congress.

Great Landmarks in Asia:
World Icons in Asia

Great Wall of China
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/4782/muralhachina21.jpg (http://img714.imageshack.us/i/muralhachina21.jpg/)

Taj Mahal
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2936/tajmahal01.jpg (http://img204.imageshack.us/i/tajmahal01.jpg/)

Honorable mentions: Petronas Twin Towers (Kuala Lumpur), Forbbiden City (China), Tokyo Imperial Palace and Mecca (Saudi Arabia)

Great Landmark in Oceania
The World Icon in Oceania

Sydney Opera House
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/744/operahousesydney7293671.jpg (http://img52.imageshack.us/i/operahousesydney7293671.jpg/)

Great Landmark in Africa:
The World Icon in Africa

Giza Sphinx & Pyramids in Egypt
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/7212/esfingeegito.jpg (http://img844.imageshack.us/i/esfingeegito.jpg/)




Ohhhh... Beautiful World!

nice pics

Great Landmarks in Asia?:
wheres petronas twin tower,forebbiden city and imperial palace tokyo?
and egypt is not africa..its in asia...

I agree that asia has many more landmarks

but in no way is Egypt in Asia, it is 100% African. You were kidding though right?

Great Landmarks in Asia?:
wheres petronas twin tower,forebbiden city and imperial palace tokyo?

You're right! Sorry my brother. I added these famous landmarks in "Honorable mentions". And I forgot The Empire State Building! My God! One of the most famous on Earth! I added The Empire State in "Americas" and the famous palace of the American National Congress in "Honorable mentions" in the Americas :okay:

I agree that asia has many more landmarks

but in no way is Egypt in Asia, it is 100% African. You were kidding though right?

Yes! Egypt = AFRICA!
I forgot some great world icon in the list?

It is important, but I really don't see White House such a great landmark.

I belive the Hollywood Sign or Brooklyn Bridge are much famous...

http://blog.aynrandcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Hollywood-sign.jpeg

http://www.nyc-architecture.com/SPEC/Brooklyn_Bridge.jpg

I'd say the Pyramids would be the most famous landmark. Not only would most people recognise them, and know they are in Egypt - but they are also a symbol of civilisation, there the founding structures of which all buildings are derived.

After that, I'd say the Sydney Opera house and the Eiffel Tower. These make you instantly think of the structure, the city and then the country all in succession, being they the chosen icons of their people (like it or not :|).

Yup, pyramids are deservedly the world's foremost landmark and testimony to the great potential, or great madness, of humanity. Also the world's unmatched skyscraper for 4500 years.
And altho Egypt is in Africa GEOGRAPHICALLY, I wouldn't say it's 100% in Africa. It's actually around 80% in Africa with around 20% in Asia, the continents being divided by the Suez. One of those transcontinental countries, even since ancient Egypt.

Culturally and ethnically however Egypt has quite little to do with Africa, or North Africa for that matter. The inhospitable sand seas to the south and to the west means Egypt has almost always been its own thing, its own island. It's like being surrounded by sea on all sides, only the desert is even harder to cross than the sea....

Sadly and realistically speaking however, Lady Liberty may as well overtake the pyramids in terms of popularity. The irony being that, she doesn't represent 'liberty' at all, but she too is an Egyptian muse. This statue is an Egyptian lady, clad in the clothing of and carrying the books of western civilizations (Greece), bearing the torch of the eastern civilizations, to be installed at the mouth of the Suez canal upon its launch, as the canal bridges both worlds and marks the continental border, through Egypt... :D (also that we're mentioning Asia or Africa) But financing stopped halfway through and somehow the meaning of the statue was changed to somehow stand for liberty or NYC, etc. :D

So ironically, both the world's topmost icons, are Egyptian...in some way... :D

It is important, but I really don't see White House such a great landmark.

I belive the Hollywood Sign or Brooklyn Bridge are much famous...



I see the White House in thousands american movies. I believe the image of the "White House" is very famous in the world.

About Hollywood

Question: Hollywood can be considered a "landmark" or a district of Los Angeles?

About Brooklyn Bridge

The bridge is a great icon in New York, but I believe the Bridge is not a "world icon" like the Statue of Liberty, Golden Gate Bridge (for me, the world's famous american bridge, really famous around the world) and the White House, the Empire State Building...

Well, I added in "Honorable mentions" in Europe, the "London Eye"

Why Angkor Wat is not counted, Angkor Wat, the world biggest hindu temple?
http://www.bertandpatty.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/angkor-wat-sunset.jpg

I see the White House in thousands american movies. I believe the image of the "White House" is very famous in the world.

About Hollywood

Question: Hollywood can be considered a "landmark" or a district of Los Angeles?
About Brooklyn Bridge

The bridge is a great icon in New York, but I believe the Bridge is not a "world icon" like the Statue of Liberty, Golden Gate Bridge (for me, the world's famous american bridge, really famous around the world) and the White House, the Empire State Building...

Well, I added in "Honorable mentions" in Europe, the "London Eye"

Hollywood is a district of Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign is a landmark in Los Angeles

you forgot hagia sophia in turkey and mecca in saudi arabia
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8766/hagiasophiaayasofyaista.jpg
http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/1751/mecca.jpg

Hollywood is a district of Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign is a landmark in Los Angeles
:yes:

Fox Plaza, U.S.Bank Tower, or other landmarks, are known to skyscraper fans... but for the average people around the world, they are just somme tall buildings. (that could be anywhere)

My mother can't tell the difference between Empire State Building and Empire Strikes Back, but when she see the Hollywood Sign, she know is Los Angeles. :lol:

Why Angkor Wat is not counted, Angkor Wat, the world biggest hindu temple?
http://www.bertandpatty.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/angkor-wat-sunset.jpg

I agree! I added in 'Honorable mentions' in my list.

Hollywood is a district of Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign is a landmark in Los Angeles

True... and one of the most famous in the world.

you forgot hagia sophia in turkey and mecca in saudi arabia
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8766/hagiasophiaayasofyaista.jpg
http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/1751/mecca.jpg


Yes...

Eiffel tower (Paris), Atomium (Brussels) are typically landmarks. But there are so much landmarks that I can give them all here.

Landmark of the 21st century will be this I think.

http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/03/dzn_sq_ArcelorMittal-Orbit-lr.jpg




It could be London's landmark as long as olympics will be in progress if it wasnt so ugly....but landmark of the 21st century?? It looks so dated trashy 80's...:runaway::runaway::runaway:
Sorry, but Pyramids, Acropolis and Colosseum will be unbeatable also in 21st century,,

Colosseum and pisa tower

My top 5 list

1.Eiffel Tower
2.Big Ben (Houses of Parliament)
3.Statue of Liberty
4.Egypt Pyramid
5.China Great Wall

Top 5 modern landmarks -

1.Empire State Building (New York)
2.London Eye (London)
3.Hollywood sign (Los Angeles)
4.Burij Khalifa (Dubai)
5.Opera House (Sydney)

^^
Empire State Building and the Hollywood sign are 80-90 years old. They are closer in age to the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben and the Statue of Liberty than the London Eye or Burij Khalifa

^^ I dont think that Burj khalifa can be seen as "the most famous landmark"
for us (people who are interested in architecture) its very known ...
but for other people..
same with the empire state alot of people know that building but there are more people who knows the statue of liberty more...

Yeah.. most don't know/care about Burj Khalifa

no clear?

Great Landmarks in Europe
World Icons in Europe

Eiffel Tower
http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/5033/wallpaper1481359447.jpg (http://img826.imageshack.us/i/wallpaper1481359447.jpg/)

Colosseum
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/654/coliseu.jpg (http://img69.imageshack.us/i/coliseu.jpg/)

Acropolis
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/8700/1441853.jpg (http://img409.imageshack.us/i/1441853.jpg/)

Vatican
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3104/vaticano1.jpg (http://img201.imageshack.us/i/vaticano1.jpg/)

Tower of Pisa
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/627/guiaconstruirereformar3.jpg (http://img834.imageshack.us/i/guiaconstruirereformar3.jpg/)

Arch of Triumph
http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/511/parisarcodotriunfo.jpg (http://img812.imageshack.us/i/parisarcodotriunfo.jpg/)

Red Square
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8320/465zoom.jpg (http://img339.imageshack.us/i/465zoom.jpg/)

St. Sophia Cathedral (or Hagia Sophia)
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5546/istanbulhagiasophiap.jpg (http://img269.imageshack.us/i/istanbulhagiasophiap.jpg/)

Tower Clock or Clock Tower
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/964/londonbigbenphonebox11.jpg (http://img833.imageshack.us/i/londonbigbenphonebox11.jpg/)

Honorable mentions: Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (Spain), Landesportal Brandenburg and Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, Notre Dame Cathedral and Louvre Museum in Paris, and London Eye.

Great Landmarks in the Americas:
World Icons in the Americas

Statue of Liberty
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/1773/3703891028a0dd2ba158o.jpg (http://img830.imageshack.us/i/3703891028a0dd2ba158o.jpg/)

Rio's statue of Christ the Redeemer
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2377/riodejaneiro.jpg (http://img214.imageshack.us/i/riodejaneiro.jpg/)

Hollywood Sign
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1700/hollywoodsign.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/i/hollywoodsign.jpg/)

The Empire State Building
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/5962/800pxempirestatebuildin.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/i/800pxempirestatebuildin.jpg/)

Golden Gate Bridge
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/892/800pxgoldengatebridge00.jpg (http://img833.imageshack.us/i/800pxgoldengatebridge00.jpg/)

White House
http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/1398/20532.jpg (http://img825.imageshack.us/i/20532.jpg/)

Honorable mentions: Chichén Itzá in Mexico, Machu Picchu in Peru and the palace of the American National Congress.

Great Landmarks in Asia:
World Icons in Asia

Great Wall of China
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/4782/muralhachina21.jpg (http://img714.imageshack.us/i/muralhachina21.jpg/)

Taj Mahal
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2936/tajmahal01.jpg (http://img204.imageshack.us/i/tajmahal01.jpg/)

Honorable mentions: Petronas Twin Towers (Kuala Lumpur), Forbbiden City (China), Tokyo Imperial Palace and Mecca (Saudi Arabia)

Great Landmark in Oceania
The World Icon in Oceania

Sydney Opera House
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/744/operahousesydney7293671.jpg (http://img52.imageshack.us/i/operahousesydney7293671.jpg/)

Great Landmark in Africa:
The World Icon in Africa

Giza Sphinx & Pyramids in Egypt
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/7212/esfingeegito.jpg (http://img844.imageshack.us/i/esfingeegito.jpg/)




Ohhhh... Beautiful World!

Brandenburg Gate should/must be along Eiffel Tower for Europe's most famous landmarks, that's for sure. To miss it out is just ignorant.

wow , what a bunch of... , everybodys is just putting they're favourite buildings and scrapers as the most famous landmarks , THE MOST famous landmark is one that anyone anywhere recognises no matter how much tv hes been watching, thats why we wont have christ statue from rio , no petronas towers or other scrapers , Empire state building ...maybe altough if you ask someone from the rural side he sure as hell wont recognise it, ask the same person about the eiffel tower and you might have a chance. I would vote for the eiffel tower , but the piramids from egipt are truly the most famous landmark for about 4000 years now :)
for a more modern landmark i would choose the burj al arab, you would be pretty amazed to see how many people recognise it

So agree on this.

Brandenburg Gate should/must be along Eiffel Tower for Europe's most famous landmarks, that's for sure. To miss it out is just ignorant.

Why do you think so? I donk't think that Brandenburg Gate could be in the TOP10 of european landmarks

Why do you think so? I donk't think that Brandenburg Gate could be in the TOP10 of european landmarks

I completely agree, that landmark is not really famous and we barely hear that name too :)

Brandenburg Gate should/must be along Eiffel Tower for Europe's most famous landmarks, that's for sure. To miss it out is just ignorant.

I agree!

but you have to consider that people is ignorant in our days.

20 years ago, when Dubai didn´t exist Brademburg gate was one of world's most known monuments.
now there are tons of new landmarks and people is more and more uneducated.

I think Reichstag building is better known outside germanic countries as well as Siegessaule. Also the Museums Island is easy to identify.
Brademburg Gate is very similar to other gates and arcs in Europe, that's it's problem!

This may not be the most famous landmark, but after 15 pages, dozens of places and probably hundreds of pictures, i think it was time to mention it here.

Machu Picchu
Cusco-Peru

http://www.travelggg.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/machu-picchu-peru.jpg

I agree!

but you have to consider that people is ignorant in our days.

20 years ago, when Dubai didn´t exist Brademburg gate was one of world's most known monuments.
now there are tons of new landmarks and people is more and more uneducated.

I think Reichstag building is better known outside germanic countries as well as Siegessaule. Also the Museums Island is easy to identify.
Brademburg Gate is very similar to other gates and arcs in Europe, that's it's problem!

So why in your opinion Brandenburg Gate is so important landmark? Because of bauty? history? really why?

Brandenburg Gate should/must be along Eiffel Tower for Europe's most famous landmarks, that's for sure. To miss it out is just ignorant.

Yeah, well, and the local bus stop of my home village should be included as well.

All the village louts met there on rainy Sunday afternoons and evenings to smoke cigarettes and drink beer.

So that pretty much qualifies for an important landmark, too, right?

For me the most famous landmarks are the eiffel tower, the pyramids and the statue of liberty. TBH while I've heard of the Brandenburg gate, I can't picture it in my head atm.

I never understand why the Sydney Opera House is such a famous landmark, probably up with the Empire State Building as the most famous landmark in the last 100 years. While it is an increadibly photogenic building, up close its not that spectacular, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, on the other hand, is absolutely breathtaking, yet hasn't rated a mention in this thread (at least the last few pages which I've read).

Sydney Harbour Bridge its such an amazing bridge, that it should be up with the Golden Gate as one of the best in the world, I never understood why the Brooklyn Bridge seems to be more well known than SHB, I've seen both and SHB is much more breathtaking, I guess its because its better in reality than in pictures.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/354217935_096415ebdf_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/findbluesky/354217935/sizes/l/

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nuta_CQvImI/TNkc0gdUWZI/AAAAAAAAD2U/xA_oDhwwRlA/s1600/Sydney-Harbour%252C-Australia-aerial-view.JPG
http://public-domain-images.blogspot.com/2010/11/sydney-harbour-aerial-view.html

If we consider the american catastrophic movies (those movies in which a catastrophe destroies all the world before Unided States) they always show Eiffel Tower, Colosseum and Pyramids+Sphinx as locations for the disasters. It means that or French, Italians and Egyptians have an huge bad luck, or maybe they have great landmarks that are well known all around the world.

^^ Which brings us back to the single most famous world landmark. . IMAGES HOSTED ON FLICKR (http://www.flickr.com) http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%202/-Andrew-555555.jpg

Landmarks that everyone seems to know.
Eifel Tower
colosseum
Statue of Liberty
Empire State building
Pyramids
Great wall of china

It all depends on where people live actually. In the western countries, it would be the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty (mainly due to the hollywood movies). The great wall of China is well known to almost every Chinese (by race) around the world even if its not really glorified in areas outside of China.

I think unique structures like the Statue of Liberty and Eiffel tower leave a greater impression on people than just buildings (ie ESB, Sears, CN Tower etc) which have all been glorified in films.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/10/06/article-0-02EA525400000578-874_468x322_popup.jpg
Source: Daily Mail

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/10/06/article-0-02EA504100000578-443_468x286_popup.jpg
Source: Daily Mail

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/10/06/article-0-02EA565200000578-930_468x286_popup.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/10/06/article-0-02EA58C700000578-85_468x286_popup.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/10/06/article-0-02EA550000000578-984_468x286_popup.jpg
Source: By Michael Hughes, taken from Daily Mail

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/10/06/article-0-02EA557A00000578-965_468x286_popup.jpg
Source: By Michael Hughes, taken from Daily Mail

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/10/06/article-1069772-02EA522800000578-816_468x286_popup.jpg
Source: By Michael Hughes, taken from Daily Mail

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/10/06/article-1069772-02EA556A00000578-915_468x286_popup.jpg
Source: By Michael Hughes, taken from Daily Mail

Sadly and realistically speaking however, Lady Liberty may as well overtake the pyramids in terms of popularity. The irony being that, she doesn't represent 'liberty' at all, but she too is an Egyptian muse. This statue is an Egyptian lady, clad in the clothing of and carrying the books of western civilizations (Greece), bearing the torch of the eastern civilizations, to be installed at the mouth of the Suez canal upon its launch, as the canal bridges both worlds and marks the continental border, through Egypt... :D (also that we're mentioning Asia or Africa) But financing stopped halfway through and somehow the meaning of the statue was changed to somehow stand for liberty or NYC, etc. :D

So ironically, both the world's topmost icons, are Egyptian...in some way... :D

lol :lol: this is not really the story.. and actually, this egyptian icon was a french concept as lady liberty is.

If we consider the american catastrophic movies (those movies in which a catastrophe destroies all the world before Unided States) they always show Eiffel Tower, Colosseum and Pyramids+Sphinx as locations for the disasters. It means that or French, Italians and Egyptians have an huge bad luck, or maybe they have great landmarks that are well known all around the world.

The statue of Christ the Redeemer in '2012'

http://i.imgur.com/bqxG6.jpg

The statue in the next animated film 'Rio'

http://i.imgur.com/rJBl4.jpg

And a real image of the statue:

http://i.imgur.com/7EPaV.jpg
http://esporte.uol.com.br/album/riodejaneiro_album.jhtm#fotoNav=8

The statue of Christ the Redeemer is one of most famous landmarks for sure, and Rio is one of my favourite cities, i was falling in love with it..

most famous modern landmark
http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j388/afiqnadzir1/guangzhouTV3.jpg
http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j388/afiqnadzir1/london_eye1.jpg
http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j388/afiqnadzir1/hollywood_sign.jpg
http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j388/afiqnadzir1/klcc_2.jpg
http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j388/afiqnadzir1/CITY_HALL_LONDON_01.jpg
http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j388/afiqnadzir1/24303761.jpg

^^
The SoccerCity, in Joburg:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4571914982_10da5dddb7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65095083@N00/4571914982/)
_MG_1563 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65095083@N00/4571914982/) por billy hood (http://www.flickr.com/people/65095083@N00/), no Flickr


The statue of Christ the Redeemer is one of most famous landmarks for sure, and Rio is one of my favourite cities, i was falling in love with it..

;)

^^ Thats a good looking and a cool stadium, but it aint iconic, is it?

^^
Why not? :dunno:

For me, this is the new great icon in all Africa. My little brother can easily recognize the image of the stadium. I think the SoccerCity is more popular than the 2 icons posted by you: Schoenbrunn and Victory Column (the two are amazing).

After the World Cup, everybody knows the image of the african stadium.

Sorry, this is my first time to see this stadium, i have never seen this before :nuts: anyway its a good looking one ;)

^^
Where were you during the World Cup? :nuts:

The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the most-watched television event in history, and the SoccerCity was the great landmark of the World Cup!

I do not watch football (soccer) :shifty: my bad

Pyramids of Giza
Statue of Liberty
Great wall of China

i think these three are the most famous!:cheers:

blah

Of those, only the London Eye and the Hollywood Sign could be considered iconic. London City Hall isn't really iconic, Tower Bridge is far more iconic than it.

Remember that outside of a skyscraper forum most people wouldn't even know what the Petronas Towers were called, let alone where they are. Same could be said for Canton Tower... and the Birds Nest Stadium, it's a bit too new to go labeling it 'iconic' just yet.

As far as I'm concerned, the Modern Icons of today would be...

The London Eye, the Sydney Opera House, the Hollywood Sign and the Statue of Liberty

Now I realise that your opinion obviously differs from mine, but if someone said to you "tell me the worlds most easily recognisable icons"... that half of what you said would spring to mind? I can't say they would.... perhaps it's just me.

My top 10 around the world

1.Pyramid, Egypt
2.Great Wall, China
3.Eiffiel Tower, Paris
4.Big Ben, London
5.Statue of Liberty, New York
6.Statue of Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
7.The Burj Khalifa, Dubai
8.Colosseum, Rome
9.Empire State Building, New York
10.London Eye, London

My top 10 around the world

1.Pyramid, Egypt
2.Great Wall, China
3.Eiffiel Tower, Paris
4.Big Ben, London
5.Statue of Liberty, New York
6.Statue of Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
7.The Burj Khalifa, Dubai
8.Colosseum, Rome
9.Empire State Building, New York
10.London Eye, London

In my opinion I see the taj mahal and the Kremlin coming largely ahead the Burj and the London eye... :) Other than that I would put the great wall behind Big ben and the statue of Liberty :)

^^ That is my top 10, based on my preference and taste :cheers:

That's because I liked your list I felt the need to post a comment

cheers :cheers:

Of those, only the London Eye and the Hollywood Sign could be considered iconic. London City Hall isn't really iconic, Tower Bridge is far more iconic than it.

Remember that outside of a skyscraper forum most people wouldn't even know what the Petronas Towers were called, let alone where they are. Same could be said for Canton Tower... and the Birds Nest Stadium, it's a bit too new to go labeling it 'iconic' just yet.

As far as I'm concerned, the Modern Icons of today would be...

The London Eye, the Sydney Opera House, the Hollywood Sign and the Statue of Liberty

Now I realise that your opinion obviously differs from mine, but if someone said to you "tell me the worlds most easily recognisable icons"... that half of what you said would spring to mind? I can't say they would.... perhaps it's just me.

1-i think london eye is okay,but its architectural value is weak..thousand of ferris wheel around the world has almost same shape.
2-sydney opera house is modern,but not modern enough same with statue of liberty,i cant see any modern element in that statue,
3-hollywood sign is ok,but nowaday too many city name has this kind of landmark,
4-who said that petronas twin tower is not iconic enough?i thinks this is only skyscraper to build in that style,and unique at is own also very represent asia-the pagoda,islamic geometric and the skybridge..
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee482/aismanggo1/5516148763_847957e453_b.jpg

1-i think london eye is okay,but its architectural value is weak..thousand of ferris wheel around the world has almost same shape.
2-sydney opera house is modern,but not modern enough same with statue of liberty,i cant see any modern element in that statue,
3-hollywood sign is ok,but nowaday too many city name has this kind of landmark,
4-who said that petronas twin tower is not iconic enough?i thinks this is only skyscraper to build in that style,and unique at is own also very represent asia-the pagoda,islamic geometric and the skybridge..

I think you're missing the point. Iconic status isn't only reserved to grand architecture. Sometimes it's the simplicity of things which makes them iconic. So because you deem the London Eye to be of weak architectural value, it must not be an icon?

Sydney Opera House, built in the 60s/70s, isn't modern enough? In todays day and age, the Opera House is regarded one of the most iconic/distinctive buildings of the 20th century... need one say much more? As far as the Statue of Liberty, it may not be modern, but it still has a iconic and modern message for freedom...

The Hollywood sign, you know why it's been repeated? Oh, it wouldn't have anything to do with its iconic status, no?

Petronas may be iconic to Malaysia and South East Asia, but it's certainly not one of the worlds most iconic structures. Irrespective of its architectural style, it's skybridge, and/or what it represents... its really not as iconic as you make it out to be.

I understand you obviously love your own country and the Petronas Towers... but in the grand scheme of things...

Agree, Petronas tower is/was famous because it USED to be the tallest skyscraper(s) in the world, now its not anymore, so time to move on.

I understand you obviously love your own country and the Petronas Towers... but in the grand scheme of things...

u wrong about me,im not saying ptt is iconic because it in my city,can u tell me which modern skyscraper that more iconic then ptt?and more representing thier region and also its symbolist..i think other iconic skyscraper would be
burj al arab,only that two structure working for me as iconic
raysthlm-iconic its not about being tallest-exmple-eiffel tower is not he tallest but its still one of famous landmark in the world.same with empire state,

most famous landmark in the world is Liberty statue! :D
and then Merlion in Singapore, Eiffel tower and the Big Ben. that's just my opinion.. :)

...........

^^ You don't understand what guy4versa4 just explained. Petronas Tower will always be one of the icons of both Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia. No matter how ridiculously tall skyscrapers are built in it's neighbour countries, Petronas Tower will always be there and that's why we call it Icon. Your building doesn't need to have the world's tallest height in order to be iconic, eg The Gherkin in London is not that tall by global standard but it is still one of the most recognizable skyscrapers in the world. Eiffiel Tower is also an icon of both Paris and France that is famous internationally, just like Statue of Liberty in New York and Big Ben in London. So, regarding with this Petronas Tower, which is still an icon and famous, because it represents for Malaysia.

my misstake.

it's really hard to keep a lot of "new" and modern supertalls in the list of world's most FAMOUS landmarks because:

1. they only enjoy much of their worldwide fame when they still keep the title "tallest"
(as in the case of taipei 101 and petronas towers... show a picture of these buildings randomly to people, how many
could name the buildings and the cities whre they're at?)
2. they hardly represent something that the whole humanity shares in common
(just as the statue of liberty represents freedom not just for americans... do i need to mention its TV/Movie exposures?)
3. they usually only represent a single nation's pride and nothing broader than that.
(as in the case of taipei 101, petronas towers... i think burj khalifa will also fall on this
category once another supertall takes its place as the world's tallest, but i guess for
now we can consider it "globally iconic" because of the fact that it still holds the
title as the world's tallest)

now, don't get me wrong when i posted this... the examples given above are really great structures, but i just personally think that they lack something to be considered "iconic" in a global scale which is also one reason why i'm having reservations to certain great structures like the Ankor Wat, Stonehenge, Leaning tower of Pisa, Sydney Opera house, Kremlin, Borubudur Temple, Forbidden City, Big Ben and a lot more coz i'm not so sure how famous or "globally iconic" they are farther from their host nations.

for me, the most FAMOUS are as follows:
1. Pyramids of Giza (hands down)
2. Statue of Liberty
3. Great wall of China
4. Eiffel Tower
5. Hollywood sign (eyebrow raising, but it's iconic and famous! show a picture of it to someone who does not read, i bet he/she will still
recognize the sign!)
6. Empire State Building (now there's something about this building that separates it from the rest)

^^ You don't understand what guy4versa4 just explained. Petronas Tower will always be one of the icons of both Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia. No matter how ridiculously tall skyscrapers are built in it's neighbour countries, Petronas Tower will always be there and that's why we call it Icon. Your building doesn't need to have the world's tallest height in order to be iconic, eg The Gherkin in London is not that tall by global standard but it is still one of the most recognizable skyscrapers in the world. Eiffiel Tower is also an icon of both Paris and France that is famous internationally, just like Statue of Liberty in New York and Big Ben in London. So, regarding with this Petronas Tower, which is still an icon and famous, because it represents for Malaysia.

You're right, it's not about being tall, but Petronas were only famous at one point in time for being tall... Just as the Burj Khalifa is today... and Taipei 101 was a few years ago...

What's the Taipei 101 today? About the same thing Petronas Towers are... iconic to a city and country, but not to the world. They are by no means on the same level as the Eiffel Tower, Sydney Opera House, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Hollywood Sign, Christ the Redeemer, etc. etc.

Now no one is saying that it isn't iconic to Malaysia or Kuala Lumpur... it is, but that doesn't automatically make it an icon to the world? They're certainly not the most recognisable structure.

Do you get what I'm trying to say, or am I wasting my time... again?


edit: above pretty much said what I was trying to say.

You're right, it's not about being tall, but Petronas were only famous at one point in time for being tall... Just as the Burj Khalifa is today... and Taipei 101 was a few years ago...

What's the Taipei 101 today? About the same thing Petronas Towers are... iconic to a city and country, but not to the world. They are by no means on the same level as the Eiffel Tower, Sydney Opera House, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Hollywood Sign, Christ the Redeemer, etc. etc.

Now no one is saying that it isn't iconic to Malaysia or Kuala Lumpur... it is, but that doesn't automatically make it an icon to the world? They're certainly not the most recognisable structure.

Do you get what I'm trying to say, or am I wasting my time... again?


edit: above pretty much said what I was trying to say.

^^^^

Maybe the good gentleman thinks what's famous in Malysia is famous in the whole world:lol:



just a refresher:lol:
this thread, by the way, is about THE MOST FAMOUS LANDMARKS...:)
Now, being in this section of skyscrapercity, i believe we are talking about global scale... it's sort of show a picture of Petronas towers randomly to people anywhere in the world and see how many can recognize it, name it and tell where it's at! Now, it doesn't mean that we are underrating Petronas towers here, it is indeed an iconic representation of Kulala Lumpur and Malaysia as a whole, but whether it is a globally famous landmark is questionable!

Eiffiel Tower is the world's most famous landmark on global scale, this is it.

My list:

1. Eiffel Tower
2. Pyramids of Giza
3. Statue of Liberty
4. Great Wall of China
5. Leaning Tower of Pisa

@ Petronas Towers or London Eye. Yeah, they're famous, no doubt about that. But they don't come even close to the worldwide fame the historic landmarks gathered over the centuries. Ask some random person on the street (wo isn't into architecture or skyscrapers) about Petronas Towers or even Burj Khalifa and he will just shrug his shoulders. And most people on earth are like that. Uninterested, ignorant or they lack the education. But they somewhere have surely seen the absolutely iconic shape of the Eiffel Tower or the Pyramids.

London Eye is just an modern icon of London, it is not even included in world's heritage sites. Big Ben also should be in the world's most famous landmarks list, it is also one of world's heritage sites and very very old as well. Tower Bridge is also included in one of world's heritage sites but i do not want to list it in world's top 5 list. Sydney Opera House is also an icon of both Sydney and Australia but it is quite young and not really that famous compare to the big guys like Eiffiel Tower, Big Ben or Statue of Liberty for example. Great Wall of China and Pyramid of Egypt are no doubt icons on global scale.

Big Ben
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5057/5526051182_1114f25b87_b.jpg

Sydney Opera House is also an icon of both Sydney and Australia but it is quite young and not really that famous compare to the big guys like Eiffiel Tower, Big Ben or Statue of Liberty for example. Great Wall of China and Pyramid of Egypt are no doubt icons on global scale.



I agree. I think that we shouldn't judge a landmark according to our knowledge, Sydney Opera House is well known worldwide by people who have a knowledge about architecture that is higher than the avarage, but I have serious doubts that it is well known by "common" people all around the world. If I show a picture of the Eiffel Tower to a person, I am pretty sure that he knows what it is and where it is. If I show to the same person a picture of Sydney Oper House there are serious probabilities that he doesn't know.
Talking about Europe, I think that the Colosseum is another worldwide known landmark.

For me, the world's 3 most famous are: the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower and the Pyramids of Egypt.

Statue of Liberty is overrated :yes:

Statue of Liberty is overrated :yes:

being overrated is a non-issue... being famous is..., and i think the statue of liberty does not fall short of being one! :cheers:

World's Heritages/landmarks



Pyramid, Egypt
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/44/171610084_0b2193c58a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/liberato/171610084/)
All Gizah Pyramids (http://www.flickr.com/photos/liberato/171610084/) by liber (http://www.flickr.com/people/liberato/), on Flickr



Stonehenge, UK
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5526161579_614f8a4dfa_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/59826480@N06/5526161579/)
Stonehenge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/59826480@N06/5526161579/) by Degge (http://www.flickr.com/people/59826480@N06/), on Flickr



Great Wall, China
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/2762634187_5ac02f6e58_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasreichart/2762634187/)
Great Wall, Jinshanling (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasreichart/2762634187/) by ╬Thomas Reichart ╬ (http://www.flickr.com/people/thomasreichart/), on Flickr



Colosseum, Italy
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/4976137167_5a1a053102_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalgold/4976137167/)
Roman Colosseum - Rome Italy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalgold/4976137167/) by DiGitALGoLD (http://www.flickr.com/people/digitalgold/), on Flickr



Taj Mahal, India
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2289/2104513085_889bacf026_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/glennharper/2104513085/)
Glorious Taj Mahal (http://www.flickr.com/photos/glennharper/2104513085/) by glennharper (http://www.flickr.com/people/glennharper/), on Flickr



Christ The Redeemer, Brazil
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5291/5494249976_3c8389ce70_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chinko/5494249976/)
2-8-11 _ 093- Brazil - Christ the Redeemer (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chinko/5494249976/) by 1 YSL (http://www.flickr.com/people/chinko/), on Flickr



Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, Australia
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5139/5505162913_8f18c00f4f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/funke00/5505162913/)
Halo's over Uluru & Kata Tjuta (http://www.flickr.com/photos/funke00/5505162913/) by miller00 (http://www.flickr.com/people/funke00/), on Flickr

^^ But those are the classical/historical landmarks.....what about new/modern landmarks?

My list:

1. Eiffel Tower
2. Pyramids of Giza
3. Statue of Liberty
4. Great Wall of China
5. Leaning Tower of Pisa

@ Petronas Towers or London Eye. Yeah, they're famous, no doubt about that. But they don't come even close to the worldwide fame the historic landmarks gathered over the centuries. Ask some random person on the street (wo isn't into architecture or skyscrapers) about Petronas Towers or even Burj Khalifa and he will just shrug his shoulders. And most people on earth are like that. Uninterested, ignorant or they lack the education. But they somewhere have surely seen the absolutely iconic shape of the Eiffel Tower or the Pyramids.

yeah its a matter of time..but i think we can divide to two category which is old landmark and new...perhaps i think the older is more stronger,

^^ actually, the Empire State or Sydney Opera or even the Eiffel Tower are pretty new.
I doubt, that Petronas Towers or Burj Khalifa or all the other skyscrapers will EVER get to that fame. Why? Because they are all just one super tall after the other. They will be overtrumped by even higher supertalls faster than you can even memorize their name.
Famous landmarks became famous, because they were the first of their kind or because they played a big role in history. Like this:

Brandenburg Gate:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3447961355_fc2c438fa6_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/david-bank/3447961355/sizes/o/in/photostream/

It's actually kinda small and underwhelming in reality, but at least every European knows it. :)

^^ actually, the Empire State or Sydney Opera or even the Eiffel Tower are pretty new.
I doubt, that Petronas Towers or Burj Khalifa or all the other skyscrapers will EVER get to that fame. Why? Because they are all just one super tall after the other. They will be overtrumped by even higher supertalls faster than you can even memorize their name.

agree, that's the case of most supertalls like i pointed out previously. of course there are some exceptions like the empire state building...



Famous landmarks became famous, because they were the first of their kind or because they played a big role in history. Like this:

Brandenburg Gate:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3447961355_fc2c438fa6_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/david-bank/3447961355/sizes/o/in/photostream/

It's actually kinda small and underwhelming in reality, but at least every European knows it. :)

at least every european knows it... but still not enough to be considered one of the WORLD'S most famous landmarks! try looking at it beyond the realms of europe... that would be the same story as the petronas, with all due respect my friend!

double post, sorry!

agree, that's the case of most supertalls like i pointed out previously. of course there are some exceptions like the empire state building...




at least every european knows it... but still not enough to be considered one of the WORLD'S most famous landmarks! try looking at it beyond the realms of europe... that would be the same story as the petronas, with all due respect my friend!

Oh, I didn't claim Brandenburg Gate was one of the most famous. I know it isn't. :) It's just a good example of structures that got famous due to history and not because it was somehow impressiv or unique. It was hardly mentioned here and and I know that most don't even know it's name, even though they might have seen it somewhere.:lol:
It recently became quite popular in those apocalyptic Hollywood flicks and starred recently in the movie "Unkown".

Old world - the pyramids
New world - the Eiffel tower.

Old world - the pyramids
New world - the Eiffel tower.

^^^^

agree!

though i have a feeling that the statue of liberty can be equally or even more famous than the eiffel tower!

But you do realise that both are made by French right? :laugh:

tradition-
i think it hold title for most iconic iron/metal structure=eiffel tower,
most iconic ancient structure=pyramid,
most iconic religous building=tajmahal
modern-
most iconic stadium=beijing bird nest,
most iconic skyscrape=petronas twin tower,
most iconic building architecture=sydney opera house

But you do realise that both are made by French right? :laugh:

actually i didn't... (though, of course, i know the french made them both) but i'm actually looking at it "face value" rather than analyzing details...


tradition-
i think it hold title for most iconic iron/metal structure=eiffel tower, agree!since you filtered the criteria bringing down to nothing less than the eiffel tower
most iconic ancient structure=pyramid, agree!
most iconic religous building=tajmahal agree! but i don't know if burial ground is considered religious... maybe??

modern-
most iconic stadium=beijing bird nest, i don't know, but could be!
most iconic skyscrape=petronas twin tower, i think the empire state building owns this title
most iconic building architecture=sydney opera house could be!

this is a rather intriguing set... but it's good to see things in other person's perspective for comparison!

The Taj Mahal isn't a religious building.

You're also massively wrong about most iconic stadium being the Bird's Nest in Beijing. Architecturally, it is stunning. But I could draw you a list of 100 (or more) stadia I'd rather visit than the Bird's Nest. Stadia aren't about architecture, they're about the fans, the history and the atmosphere enveloped inside it as a result.

Certain stadia also hold more sway worldwide because of what they mean, or the sport they relate to - The Nou Camp, the Bernabeu, the San Siro, Anfield, Old Trafford, (old) Wembley to name just a few European football based ones. And that's just one sport, and one continent, and not exhaustive.

You're also wrong about most iconic skyscraper, though I like the Petronas Towers A LOT.

Petronas Tower

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5291/5407689488_9155062125_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wazari/5407689488/

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5248/5357748158_37450edd30_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sasuhai/5357748158/

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/5395791308_f29b957f7e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/25867035@N02/5395791308/)
Night View of the Petronas Towers (http://www.flickr.com/photos/25867035@N02/5395791308/) by me (http://www.flickr.com/people/25867035@N02/), on Flickr


You're right, it's not about being tall, but Petronas were only famous at one point in time for being tall... Just as the Burj Khalifa is today... and Taipei 101 was a few years ago...

What's the Taipei 101 today? About the same thing Petronas Towers are... iconic to a city and country, but not to the world. They are by no means on the same level as the Eiffel Tower, Sydney Opera House, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Hollywood Sign, Christ the Redeemer, etc. etc.

Now no one is saying that it isn't iconic to Malaysia or Kuala Lumpur... it is, but that doesn't automatically make it an icon to the world? They're certainly not the most recognisable structure.

Do you get what I'm trying to say, or am I wasting my time... again?


edit: above pretty much said what I was trying to say.

^^I think Eiffel Tower, Sydney Opera House, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Hollywood Sign, Christ the Redeemer etc are the world famous oldies, but Petronas Towers are still growing in fame because its very recognisable.
And I can tell u that all over d world lots of people recognise this building as a landmark of Malaysia. That means its iconic and famous. just my 2C:)

The Taj Mahal isn't a religious building.

You're also massively wrong about most iconic stadium being the Bird's Nest in Beijing. Architecturally, it is stunning. But I could draw you a list of 100 (or more) stadia I'd rather visit than the Bird's Nest. Stadia aren't about architecture, they're about the fans, the history and the atmosphere enveloped inside it as a result.

Certain stadia also hold more sway worldwide because of what they mean, or the sport they relate to - The Nou Camp, the Bernabeu, the San Siro, Anfield, Old Trafford, (old) Wembley to name just a few European football based ones. And that's just one sport, and one continent, and not exhaustive.

You're also wrong about most iconic skyscraper, though I like the Petronas Towers A LOT.





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taj_Mahal


The Taj Mahal is indeed religious.

Hindi: ताज महल

Visitation: More than 3 million (in 2003)

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Type: Cultural

Criteria: i

Designated: 1983 (7th session)

Reference #: 252

State Party: India



Located in western Uttar Pradesh, India

The Taj Mahal ( /ˈtɑːdʒ məˈhɑːl/;[1] Hindi: ताज महल, from Persian/Urdu: تاج محل "crown of buildings", pronounced [ˈt̪aːdʒ mɛˈɦɛl]; also "the Taj"[2]) is a mausoleum located in Agra, India.

It is one of the most recognizable structures in the world.

It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is widely considered as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and stands as a symbol of eternal love.

Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles.

In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the white domed marble mausoleum is the most familiar component of the Taj Mahal, it is actually an integrated complex of structures. The construction began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, employing thousands of artisans and craftsmen.[5] The construction of the Taj Mahal was entrusted to a board of architects under imperial supervision, including Abd ul-Karim Ma'mur Khan, Makramat Khan, and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.[6][7] Lahauri[8] is generally considered to be the principal designer.[9]


...

^^^^

agree!

though i have a feeling that the statue of liberty can be equally or even more famous than the eiffel tower!

not at all.

1. Eiffel Tower
2. Pyramids of Giza
3. Empire State Building
4. Taj Mahal
5. Big Ben

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5252956326_43f54bf9a7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/david-bank/5252956326/)
Cristo Redentor - Rio de Janeiro (http://www.flickr.com/photos/david-bank/5252956326/) by david.bank (www.david-bank.com) (http://www.flickr.com/people/david-bank/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/5548302818_acf5c55547_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newnumenor/5548302818/)
STH 107 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newnumenor/5548302818/) by newnumenor (http://www.flickr.com/people/newnumenor/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4742293835_ee80122459_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clickandpray/4742293835/)
New York At Sunset (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clickandpray/4742293835/) by Click And Pray (http://www.flickr.com/people/clickandpray/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5268/5548695855_e59b205305_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/yanos/5548695855/)
Opera (http://www.flickr.com/photos/yanos/5548695855/) by playayanos (http://www.flickr.com/people/yanos/), on Flickr

http://www.photofans.cn/uploads2010/01/userid262903time20100110234500.jpg
http://www.photofans.cn/forum/showthread.php?forumid=136&threadyear=2011&threadid=5058&PHPSESSID=682b0bce5cb49c0414939d0d312af9f8

In India Lotus temple is more popular than Taj Mahal

http://www.knowourindia.com/delhi/images/lotus-temple-india.jpg

Since its inauguration to public worship in December 1986, the Bahá'í House of Worship in Delhi has, as of late 2002, attracted more than 50 million visitors, making it one of the most visited buildings in the world.[10] Its numbers of visitors during those years surpassed those of the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal. On Hindu holy days, it has drawn as many as 150,000 people; it welcomes four million visitors each year (about 13,000 every day or 9 every minute).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/LotusDelhi.jpg/800px-LotusDelhi.jpg

another Landmark that gets more visitors than Taj Mahal is(3.6 mil / year)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Akshardham_Delhi_.jpg

Lotus Temple looks nice... it really does look like lotus flower... the but its number of tourist visits alone does not give justice to replace taj mahal as india's most famous landmark...

Yes, the Taj is special architecturally in ways that can't be readily apparent. For instance, the four towering minarets are set off verticle, out of plumb, to save the amazing dome in case of an earthquake, by falling out away from the structure. But the main reason to put these towers off verticle was to make up for the distortion of natural perspective. . http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%203/RG-800px-Taj_Mahal_Agra_India.jpg FLEXIJOURNEY.COM . If you look closely, the towers "lean" away from the dome to appear to the observer on the ground that they are "truly" vertical. If they were actually plumb, they would appear to lean inwards.

Probably Statue of Liberty.

1. Angkor Wat Temple, Cambodia
2. Eiffel Tower
3. Great Wall of China
4. Pyramid
5. Big Ben

Big Ben, London
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5174/5549968284_abb7856413_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/david_giraldo/5549968284/)
Westminster Palace (http://www.flickr.com/photos/david_giraldo/5549968284/) by davizoom (http://www.flickr.com/people/david_giraldo/), on Flickr

however nice, the above photos does not change the order of world's most famous landmarks IMO:
1. Pyramids of Giza
2. Statue of Liberty
3. Eiffel Tower
4. Great Wall of China
5. Empire State Building

but if we consider "natural" landmarks, i think Mt. Fuji can easily be at 4th or 5th place...

A more realistic order by combining number ofs votes for 7 wonders and annual visit...
1.Eiffel Tower(Most visited)
2.Taj Mahal(highest votes for 7 wonders competition + it represents a country of 1.2 bil solely)
3.Tianemann Square
4.Time Square
5.Big Ben
6.Pyramids of Giza
7.Ginza Square
8.Jesus Statue of Rio
9.Great Wall of China
10.Angkor Wat Temple

But in recent times some unusual places have seen extraordinary visits and popularity..
Dharavi Slums,Pudong,Ground Zero to name a few.

The Taj Mahal gets under 4 million visitors a year? That surprises me.

The Taj Mahal gets under 4 million visitors a year? That surprises me.

people visiting Taj Mahal are regulated by authorities and are allowed only during a short period of day before sunsets and after 11am.

True. I've been there myself. Still surprised me it was so few. I was expecting in excess of 5 or 6 million, at least.

i think the most famous is

1. PYRAMIDS OF GIZA

followed closely by

2. eiffel tower
3. statue of liberty

i don't think the number of visits alone could dictate that. if you're gonna ask me, i'd rather go somewhere else than in the deserts of egypt just to see the pyramids, but it doesn't disprove the fact that the pyramids is well known by almost everyone in this planet irregardless of who's visited it, who's not...

Great Wall of China should be pretty high, it's right up there in the mindset with more people in that country alone than in the West (likewise with the Taj Mahal in India, and Meccah mosque to 1.6 billion Muslims, who pray to it 5x a day).

In terms of visitors 2004 alone saw 41.8 million tourists visit the Wall, while points around Beijing often get between 4-10 million a year.

yeah, we almost forgot about the kaaba in mecca... unfortunately, i have no idea how it looks like...

1. Eiffel Tower
2. Statue of Liberty
3. Saint Basil's Cathedral
4. Taj Mahal
5. Big Ben
6. Jesus Statue of Rio
7. Sydney Opera House
8. Brandenburg Gate
9. Golden Gate Bridge
10. Colosseum

Saint Basil's Cathedral

Brandenburg Gate

never heard of them!

http://shechive.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/morning-coffee-73.jpg?w=500&h=617

Saint Basil's Cathedral

Wiki - St Basil (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Basil%27s_Cathedral)



Brandenburg Gate

never heard of them!

Brandeburg Gate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandenburg_Gate)


Never heard of them ? are you sure ?

Saint Basil's Cathedral

Brandenburg Gate

never heard of them!

Wow... did you live under a stone since/when the Iron Curtain fell and Cold War ended?

Great Landmarks in Europe
World Icons in Europe

Eiffel Tower
http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/5033/wallpaper1481359447.jpg (http://img826.imageshack.us/i/wallpaper1481359447.jpg/)

Colosseum
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/654/coliseu.jpg (http://img69.imageshack.us/i/coliseu.jpg/)

Acropolis
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/8700/1441853.jpg (http://img409.imageshack.us/i/1441853.jpg/)

Vatican
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3104/vaticano1.jpg (http://img201.imageshack.us/i/vaticano1.jpg/)

Tower of Pisa
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/627/guiaconstruirereformar3.jpg (http://img834.imageshack.us/i/guiaconstruirereformar3.jpg/)

Arch of Triumph
http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/511/parisarcodotriunfo.jpg (http://img812.imageshack.us/i/parisarcodotriunfo.jpg/)

Red Square
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8320/465zoom.jpg (http://img339.imageshack.us/i/465zoom.jpg/)

St. Sophia Cathedral (or Hagia Sophia)
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5546/istanbulhagiasophiap.jpg (http://img269.imageshack.us/i/istanbulhagiasophiap.jpg/)

Tower Clock or Clock Tower
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/964/londonbigbenphonebox11.jpg (http://img833.imageshack.us/i/londonbigbenphonebox11.jpg/)

Honorable mentions: Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (Spain), Landesportal Brandenburg and Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, Notre Dame Cathedral and Louvre Museum in Paris, and London Eye.

Great Landmarks in the Americas:
World Icons in the Americas

Statue of Liberty
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/1773/3703891028a0dd2ba158o.jpg (http://img830.imageshack.us/i/3703891028a0dd2ba158o.jpg/)

Rio's statue of Christ the Redeemer
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2377/riodejaneiro.jpg (http://img214.imageshack.us/i/riodejaneiro.jpg/)

Hollywood Sign
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1700/hollywoodsign.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/i/hollywoodsign.jpg/)

The Empire State Building
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/5962/800pxempirestatebuildin.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/i/800pxempirestatebuildin.jpg/)

Golden Gate Bridge
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/892/800pxgoldengatebridge00.jpg (http://img833.imageshack.us/i/800pxgoldengatebridge00.jpg/)

White House
http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/1398/20532.jpg (http://img825.imageshack.us/i/20532.jpg/)

Honorable mentions: Chichén Itzá in Mexico, Machu Picchu in Peru and the palace of the American National Congress.

Great Landmarks in Asia:
World Icons in Asia

Great Wall of China
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/4782/muralhachina21.jpg (http://img714.imageshack.us/i/muralhachina21.jpg/)

Taj Mahal
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2936/tajmahal01.jpg (http://img204.imageshack.us/i/tajmahal01.jpg/)

Honorable mentions: Petronas Twin Towers (Kuala Lumpur), Forbbiden City (China), Tokyo Imperial Palace and Mecca (Saudi Arabia)

Great Landmark in Oceania
The World Icon in Oceania

Sydney Opera House
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/744/operahousesydney7293671.jpg (http://img52.imageshack.us/i/operahousesydney7293671.jpg/)

Great Landmark in Africa:
The World Icon in Africa

Giza Sphinx & Pyramids in Egypt
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/7212/esfingeegito.jpg (http://img844.imageshack.us/i/esfingeegito.jpg/)




Ohhhh... Beautiful World!

the Moais in Easter Island, Oceania

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/7919/42460220241b25d9b040o.jpg

^^^^

that one's almost the complete list...:cheers:

Rio's statue of Christ at night:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2430/5741292271_efea264a6a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/henriquedecampos/5741292271/)
Christ The Redeemer - In Yellow and Red (http://www.flickr.com/photos/henriquedecampos/5741292271/) por henriquedecampos (http://www.flickr.com/people/henriquedecampos/), no Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5071666571_5d25225503_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericsalada/5071666571/)
Cristo Redentor (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericsalada/5071666571/) por erictoshio1234 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ericsalada/), no Flickr

there are too much when is it exactly an famous landmark?

there are too much when is it exactly an famous landmark?

For me, a postcard is a world famous landmark if its image is recognized around the world...

Another image of Christ the Redeemer Statue, year of his 80 years...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4763972190_b6ac7d1582_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/topanico/4763972190/)
Mais Cristo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/topanico/4763972190/) por Gabriel_Campos (http://www.flickr.com/people/topanico/), no Flickr

Grand Palace Bangkok

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/6356/5700339770dcd55355ceb.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/812/5700339770dcd55355ceb.jpg/)

credit: Codename B from http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1384890&page=5

Wat Arun

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/3131/watarun1.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/714/watarun1.jpg/)

visit-chiang-mai-online.com

no doubt, eiffel tower

http://www.inter-coproprietes.com/jeditoo/france/IleDeFrance/Paris/7eme/picts/Tour%20Eiffel/photos/tour%20eiffel%20la%20nuit.jpg

Borobudur Temple ( 8th century Buddhist Temple from Indonesia)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/5120246972_0b09795c33_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2328/2207930181_5822281ceb_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2253/2207926799_cc5d29790d_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2148/2208728204_7dd517c7dd_b.jpg

source (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sethmazow/2208728204/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

In all the doomsday flicks the famous landmarks being wiped out are always:

1. Eiffel Tower
2. Big Ben
3. Capitol building
4. Statue of Liberty

Hmm...let me think...

Sometimes St. Basils, the Collosseum and Rio's Christ statue as well

1) Pyramid　and Sphinx　egypt
2) tower of pisa
3) Moai
4) great wall of china
5) Statue of Liberty
6) Nazca line
7)Angkor Wat
8) Partenon Palace of Greece
9）Windmill　 Netherlands
10）Tower Eiffel in Paris

pyramid,chinese great wall,eiffel tower and tajmahal

How about famous natural landmarks? Mt Everest, Grand Canyon, Mt Fuji.

Must be up there with the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben etc.

Mt Everest, perhaps, but how many people can/have visited Mt Everest? It would never stack up against the likes of Big Ben or the Eiffel Tower. The Grand Canyon, however, does hold its own.

Fame does not necessarily require visiting its just requires people to be aware of it through stories, legend, notoriety, disaster, the media etc. I'm sure Fukishima and Chernobly are famous but I'm pretty sure not too many people visit these days.

I still don't think Everest is in the same league as the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben. Maybe because it's a natural wonder...who knows.

If I had to come up with a list of famous mountains/monoliths, though, Everest would be #1 followed by Mt Fuji, Mt Kilimanjaro, Uluru, Mt. Vesuvius, Mt Olympus, then Mt Ararat

Mt Everest is WAY below other natural monuments like the Grand Canyon/Mt. Fuji. People know what Mt Fuji looks like because it is frequently shown in pictures of Tokyo and it stands alone.

Most people wouldn't recognize Everest because it's simply a mountain among other mountains.

Just my two cents.

^^exactly. There is nothing memorable about it. It's a mountain amongst mountains, albeit an extremely tall one.

1) Pyramid　and Sphinx　egypt
2) tower of pisa
3) Moai
4) great wall of china
5) Statue of Liberty
6) Nazca line
7)Angkor Wat
8) Partenon Palace of Greece
9）Windmill　 Netherlands
10）Tower Eiffel in Paris


I forgot this one

Symbol of Japan = Trii and Shibuya crossing?

xdID1cQFBjs

Azerbaijan's top Landmarks

Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape by Alexcheban

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff510/alexcheban/Azerbaijan/06_Gobustan/gobustan_01.jpg

Inner City by ESPECTRO

http://www.deviantart.com/download/122389088/The_Midle_ages_and_Hi_tech_by_ESPECTR0.jpg

nice pics

Eiffel Tower
Statue of Liberty
Big Ben
Tower Bridge
Colleseum
Empire State
Christ The Redeemer
Sydney Opera House
Hollywood Sign
Pyramids

I'd say these are the 10 stand out global icons where most people would be able to tell you in which city they are located. There are many more in the tier below this but these are the ones which stand out to me.

Lol i see statue of liberty,Big Ben,empire state,Hollywood sign in top 10 landmark list but no Taj Mahal.People are so biased here.

In no particular order:
1.Pyramids(just because these massive structures are thousands of years old,credit goes to those workers and engineers)
2.Taj mahal(beautiful and an engineering feat)
3.Eiffel tower(Modern engineering feat)
4.Great wall of China( It's huge man.Its size is a landmark itself)

Rest all same.

It's really hard to pick JUST 3
I mean, when I think of the word "landmark" these things pop up instantly in my head.

The Great Pyramids/Sphinx
Colloseum
Big Ben/Tower Bridge
Eiffel Tower
The Kremlin
The Acropolis
Ayasophya
Taj Mahal
The Forbidden City
The Great Wall
CN Tower
Sears Tower
The Golden Gate Bridge
Empire State Buidling
The Statue of Liberty
Sydney House
Cristo Redentor
.....

It's just really hard.

These are all really known, if I had to pick the most known I would say definitely the Eiffel Tower. Also @ Abinash, they definitely are biased, mentioning the hollywood sign, but not the Taj Mahal is crazy!:nuts:

In this day and age, I'm not surprised Taj Mahal and the pyramids of Egypt are not as popular or famous as Empire State Building or the HOLLYWOOD sign. We live in a generation where many people have a disregard for history and when media plays a huge role. HOLLYWOOD sign probably gets featured in movies and pictures more than say Taj Majal, hence people esp the younger generations know it more. But yes, it is quite sad to be quite frank

In this day and age, I'm not surprised Taj Mahal and the pyramids of Egypt are not as popular or famous as Empire State Building or the HOLLYWOOD sign. We live in a generation where many people have a disregard for history and when media plays a huge role. HOLLYWOOD sign probably gets featured in movies and pictures more than say Taj Majal, hence people esp the younger generations know it more. But yes, it is quite sad to be quite frank

Couldn't agree more. Its extremely sad, they also have a disregard for everything but the current trend. I read something the other day showing that tons of twitter users thought the titanic was just a movie, and had no idea it was a real event... i felt pretty ashamed reading this, but no it gets worse then that. I was on another forum, and people were saying they hated Tim tebow because he was a Christian, and they also thought Christians were ignorant and stupid. Im not trying to get off topic, but I had to mention how sad this is, its crazy how different America was even 20 years ago

Lol i see statue of liberty,Big Ben,empire state,Hollywood sign in top 10 landmark list but no Taj Mahal.People are so biased here.

I completely forgot about the Taj Mahal, yes it is definitely in this top group. Great wall of China too but I still don't think it is as recognisable as the Eiffel Tower or the Statue of Liberty. Call it ignorance or whatever you want the fact remains that because of modern media, images of these western landmarks get a huge amount of exposure. My opinion is clearly from a western perspective. This is essentially a measure of what gets the most media attention and which places feature most on postcards so it's not surprising to see the three most visited cities in the world dominating the list, London, Paris and NY.

Someone from China, India, Japan, Argentina, South Africa... probably have a different opinion but this is my opinion.

I completely forgot about the Taj Mahal, yes it is definitely in this top group. Great wall of China too but I still don't think it is as recognisable as the Eiffel Tower or the Statue of Liberty. Call it ignorance or whatever you want the fact remains that because of modern media, images of these western landmarks get a huge amount of exposure. My opinion is clearly from a western perspective. This is essentially a measure of what gets the most media attention and which places feature most on postcards so it's not surprising to see the three most visited cities in the world dominating the list, London, Paris and NY.

Someone from China, India, Japan, Argentina, South Africa... probably have a different opinion but this is my opinion.

Very true,agreed.No complains though.We should have different threads for landmarks of different eras.We can't compare Eiffel tower with Taj Mahal.Both are completely different and amazing in their own place.

red square is absolutely underrate!!!!!

red square is absolutely underrate!!!!!

Specifically St. Basil's Cathedral. I don't think its as known or popular, but it definitely is an icon for Russia