We Listed: Five Wonders of the Engineering World

Just like the seven wonders of the world, engineers around the globe also created similar ones but with just one difference, which makes them technical wonders.

1- Panama Canal

The Panama Canal, whose original name is Canal de Panamá, receives nearly 14,000 ships each year. It makes the route shorter between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

In the past, ships sailed between South and North America for two months, rounding Cape Horn. This route is 15,000 kilometers (8,000 miles) longer than the canal used today. With the canal, sailors can reach their destination in ten hours — which is a time-saving factor compared with two-month travels in the past.

Construction of the canal began in 1904, on May 4 and opened after ten years in 1914. However, the official construction had been scheduled for 33 years. From its opening until 1979, the canal was managed by the United States. In 1979, a joint venture –the United States and the Republic of Panama– took over the management of the canal. In 1999, control was completely transferred to Panama.

Wikipedia

2- The International Space Station (ISS)

Orbiting Earth at a height of 400 km, the International Space Station –ISS– is our best hope for tracing life in space. The space station became home to over 244 space travelers who work tirelessly on new studies and experiments for the benefit of humanity.

From the day it was launched, the ISS has been home to several scientific studies, and the station is expected to provide clues before long-duration journeys to Mars.

NASA

3- Hoover Dam

Settled on the border between Nevada and Arizona in the US, the Boulder Canyon project, also known as Hoover Dam, has become one of the most important engineering marvels. More than 21,000 people worked as part of the project that supplies electricity to 1.3 million homes with 17 turbines.

During the Great Depression, the construction of the project created work opportunities for those who were jobless. Undoubtedly, the existence of the dam made it not only the largest dam in the country but also a crucial part of history.

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4- The Channel Tunnel

The Channel Tunnel was launched in 1994 connecting England and France. Being the longest underwater tunnel today, it consists of three separate tunnels. Two of these tunnels are being used as a railway, and one of them is used for all kinds of emergency and ventilation systems. The part that is under the sea is 38 kilometers while all three parts are 50 kilometers long in total.

The tunnel lets you connect from Folkstone to Coquelles in 20 minutes with 160 kilometers per hour. And, thanks to the engineers, due to the materials, the overseen lifetime of the Channel is over 120 years.

Alamy

5- Bird’s Nest

The construction of the Beijing National Stadium in China, which is considered an engineering prodigy, began in 2003. It was mainly designed for the Olympic event. The building included traditional ceramics. With its shape bird’s nest-like structure, the stadium was built to withstand earthquakes.

The official opening of the stadium, which was built with the outstanding efforts of architects and engineers, took place on 28 June 2008. The national stadium can host around 90,000 guests in total, being the world’s largest steel structure.

Wikipedia