The world's largest statues
India has unveiled the world's largest statue. But it's not expected to be the world-record holder for very long.
India's Statue of Unity
The tallest statue in the world, which depicts Indian independence hero Sardar Vallabbhai Patel, stands at a towering 182 meters (597 feet) in India's Gujarat state. The "Statue of Unity," has sparked controversy at home, with many objecting to the project's $404 million (€356 million) price tag. Another statue being built near Mumbai is expected to exceed the Patel monument in height and cost.
USA: Statue of Liberty
It may be only half the size of the Patel statue in India, but its fame will be hard to top. The Statue of Liberty in New York City was inaugurated in 1886 and is one of the most famous US landmarks as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The neoclassical colossus has been replicated around the world, with reproductions in Tokyo, Alsace among other places
Brazil's Christ the Redeemer
Visitors to Brazil's Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) can enjoy a breathtaking view of Rio de Janeiro and the Sugarloaf Mountain while visiting the 30-meter-tall statue, making it a popular tourist attraction. In 2007, the statue was named as one of the "7 New Wonders of the World," joining the likes of Macchu Pichu and the Great Wall of China.
Myanmar's golden giant
Anyone who has ever been to Southeast Asia will be familiar with the larger-than-life, gold-plated Buddha statues that adorn many temples in the region. With a height of 116 meters (129 meters if you include the pedestal), the Laykyun Sekkya statue in Myanmar is an exception. Completed in 2008, the statue is one of the tallest Buddha statues in the world.
China's goddess in the sea
The massive size of the Guanyin of Nanshan statue, which was inaugurated in southern China in 2005, is particularly striking from the air. Guanyin, who is revered in Chinese folk religions as the goddess of compassion, is considered one of the most important figures of East Asian Buddhism. At 78 meters, the statue on the southern coast of Hainan province is the tallest Guanyin statue in the world.
China's Spring Temple Buddha
Until India's Patel statue was completed, China's Spring Temple Buddha held the title as the world's tallest statue. The 128-meter-tall statue depicts a golden Buddha standing on top of a lotus throne and is located in China's Henan province. Construction on the statue was completed in 2008.