The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao was designed by Frank Gehry of California and is considered by many to be an architectural masterpiece. It looks just as odd from above as it does from the ground.

Thanks: Jason B, Holden Lewis, Roberto, James, dean

Of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, the Pyramids at Giza are the only ones remaining, they are over 6000 years old and are constructed from over 25 million tonnes of limestone. The pyramids were built as tombs for the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre & Menkaure, who as teenagers formed a popular hip-hop trio (possibly not true).

The largest Pyramid was built for Khufu (aka DJ Cheops), Pharaoh of the Fourth Egyptian Dynasty, and was constructed by nearly 20,000 workers who worked year round for decades. It was originally 481 feet high, but has since lost 30 feet due to erosion.

Following to the southwest is the Pyramid of Khafre (aka MC Chephren). Although it is smaller, a steeper angle results in the illusion that the two structures are the same size. In fact, Khafre’s pyramid appears taller since it is on higher ground.

The final, smallest pyramid is that of Menkaure (aka MC Mycerinus). There are also various other smaller pyramids for the pharaohs’ Queens which can be identified using this map.

To the east of the pyramids is the Great Sphinx, the largest single-stone statue in the world. The Sphinx has the face of a man (possibly the aforementioned Khafre, but sans nose) and the body of a lion.

Thanks: Over 80 people, just too many to list! You know who you are, thanks guys

Inside Beijing, lies the Forbidden City, the location of the Imperial Palace during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is the world’s largest palace and features a six meter deep moat, a ten meter high wall, five halls, seventeen palaces and 800 buildings with a total 9,999.5 rooms. Quite big then.

Tiananmen Square is just to the south of the Forbidden City and lies between two gates, the Tian’anmen to the north and the Qianmen to the south. This is of course the location of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 where hundreds of pro-democracy demonstrators were massacred.

The black splodges all over the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square are the thousands or tourists who visit each day.

Thanks: Marc Armstrong, Nathaniel, Michel, Joseph Pantoga, Caius Toneriko, Keith T., Jaina Morgan, TOMHTML, Andrew Varvel, diz, Andy

Standing atop Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro is a 40 metre tall monument of “Cristo Redentor” (Christ the Redeemer). Since its inception in 1921 the monument has become the symbol of Rio de Janeiro and Brazilian people, who receive visitors with open arms.

The statue is standing on a circular base and is facing east (More info & ground level shots).

This post should probably go into Movie Locations but at the moment I can’t think of any movies which featured the monument. There was that great level in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 but I don’t think that counts

Thanks: Jesse, Todd Day, Bodo Möller, Ben

As the Google Sightseeing team is based in Edinburgh, this was one of the first places we looked when we found out about Google Maps’ new satellite images. Disappointingly however, they seem to have missed most of Edinburgh when they were choosing high-resolution pictures, in fact Glasgow has also suffered a similar fate!

Fortunately however we can still see the splendid Forth Bridge, complete with a train travelling into Edinburgh. Completed in 1890, it is commonly regarded as an engineering marvel. Just to the west of the rail bridge is the Forth Road Bridge which, while much less impressive than the rail bridge from the ground, has some excellent shadows from up here!

There’s a commonly believed story round these parts that the Forth Rail Bridge requires continual painting; as soon as they finish the job they have to start again at the other side. Apparently it’s not true, but for many years the bridge did have a permanent maintenance crew.

There’s also a tanker anchored in the Firth of Forth, although it’s a bit weird looking at a tanker so near to where I live. I guess somehow I didn’t imagine tankers would be just the same over here…

Thanks to Kerry for pointing me towards this one first, and to the many others who posted it since!

This is Wimbledon, or rather the ‘All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club’ in London, where ‘The Championships’ are currently underway. Play started yesterday and is set to continue for the next two weeks (although sometimes the tournament runs longer if it rains a lot, which isn’t uncommon in these parts…)

Wimbledon is the oldest and most prestigious event in the sport of tennis, and is the third Grand Slam tournament played each year, after the Australian and French Opens, and before the US Open. The tournament is the only one of the Grand Slam events to be played on grass (although in these images the grass is currently covered for protection from the elements).

Our first thumbnail is of the Number One court. Although the angle makes it look oval, it is in fact round. Incidentally, some of you have commented on the increased distortion visible in the imagery of the non U.S. locations; this seems to be because these are true satellite images, and not aerial photography. Thumbnail #2 is of Centre Court where the finals will be played.

There’s lots more about Wimbledon at Wikipedia, and the official site has a good tour of the grounds.

I wonder when Tim Henman will get knocked out this year?

Thanks to neil, Nicholas Moline, Seph, Devin Crowe, Adam S and probably loads of others by now!