Monkey around and see the rainforest from a whole new perspective with these swinging bridges
Suspension bridges are some of the world’s most iconic and awe-inspiring structures. They symbolize human ingenuity and engineering excellence for centuries, connecting people and places across great distances.
These bridges are built to withstand natural disasters and harsh weather conditions and offer a unique perspective to those who walk across them.
Visitors can marvel at the sweeping views, breathtaking heights these bridges provide, and the incredible feats of design and construction that went into building them, whether it’s the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco or the world’s longest suspension bridge in Japan, suspension bridges never fail to impress and captivate those who encounter them.
Here are some of just a few worldwide amazing marvels of ingenuity:
- Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, USA: – The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most famous suspension bridges in the world. It spans the Golden Gate strait and has a total length of 8,981 feet. It is known for its iconic orange color and stunning views of San Francisco Bay.
- Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver, Canada: – The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a popular tourist destination in Vancouver. It is 450 feet long and hangs 230 feet above the Capilano River. Visitors can enjoy scenic views of the surrounding forest and the river below.
- Royal Gorge Bridge, Colorado, USA: The Royal Gorge Bridge is the highest suspension bridge in the USA, hanging 955 feet above the Arkansas River. It is also one of the longest suspension bridges in the world, spanning 1,260 feet. Visitors can walk across the bridge and take in the breathtaking views of the canyon below.
- Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Kobe, Japan: The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world, spanning 12,831 feet. It was built to withstand strong earthquakes and typhoons, and visitors can walk across it to experience its impressive engineering.
- Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge, Switzerland: The Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world, spanning 1,621 feet. It hangs 279 feet above the ground and offers panoramic views of the Swiss Alps.
- Ponte 25 de Abril, Lisbon, Portugal: The Ponte 25 de Abril is a suspension bridge that spans the Tagus River in Lisbon. It is often compared to the Golden Gate Bridge due to its similar design and color. Visitors can walk across the bridge and enjoy the views of the river and the city skyline.
- Puente de la Mujer, Buenos Aires, Argentina: The Puente de la Mujer is a suspension bridge that spans the Puerto Madero harbor in Buenos Aires. Its unique design resembles a couple of dancing tango, and visitors can walk across it to experience the stunning views of the city and the river.
- Bosphorus Bridge, Istanbul, Turkey: The Bosphorus Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul. It connects Europe and Asia and offers spectacular views of the city and the waterway. Visitors can walk across the bridge during certain hours of the day.
- Sky Walk, Arenal: This hanging bridge in the Arenal Volcano National Park offers visitors a chance to walk through the rainforest canopy at 150 feet. The bridge’s total length is 1,400 feet, and visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area.
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has several hanging bridges that allow visitors to experience the beauty of the cloud forest from above. The longest bridge in the reserve is 984 feet long, and visitors can spot various wildlife and plant species along the way.
- Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park: The Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park has a series of hanging bridges that allow visitors to explore the rainforest canopy. The park has six hanging bridges, ranging from 262 feet to 984 feet. Visitors can also enjoy views of the Arenal Volcano from the park.
Did you know?
Suspension bridges are designed to move and sway in response to the wind, the weight of the traffic crossing the bridge, and other environmental factors. While it may feel unsettling to some people, this movement is intentional and helps the bridge remain stable during turbulent conditions such as high winds or earthquakes.
Suspension bridges are designed to sway so much that it can be difficult to walk across them, especially during strong winds. Engineers ensure that the amount of sway is within safe limits and the bridges are constructed to withstand a wide range of natural phenomena.
A little history:
Suspension bridges have a long and fascinating history, dating back to ancient civilizations. Some of the earliest suspension bridges were made by the Inca people of South America, who used ropes made from plant fibers to create bridges across deep gorges and canyons.
The concept of suspension bridges continued to evolve, with many cultures and civilizations contributing their innovations and designs.
One of the most significant developments in suspension bridges was the creation of iron chains in the 18th century. This allowed engineers to build much longer and stronger bridges that could span larger bodies of water.
The first modern suspension bridge was built in 1826 over the Menai Strait in Wales, and other iconic bridges, such as the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, soon followed it.
A marvel of engineering and design, with new technologies and materials used to create even more impressive and durable structures– the world’s longest suspension bridge in Japan to the iconic Tower Bridge in London, they remain an essential part of our global infrastructure, connecting people and places in ways that were once thought impossible.
