This is the Akashi-Kaikyo bridge in Japan - the largest suspension bridge in the world. Suspension bridges are measured by the length of their main span (i.e. the longest distance between suspension towers), and the Akashi-Kaikyo has an absolutely massive central span of 1991 metres - the longest bridge span in the world in fact.

Actually, it used to be 1990 metres but was stretched a full metre in the Kobe earthquake of January 17, 1995.

The bridge has a total length of nearly 4 kilometres, was completed in 1998 and cost around 5 billion US dollars to build - unfortunately it seems that the bridge toll is so high that most drivers still prefer to use the ferries. Oh well.

More info on the Akashi-Kaikyo bridge is available over at Wikipedia, where they also have a comprehensive list of the longest suspension bridges in the world.

Thanks to Jonathan Louie, belola, Trey Hunner and Kevertje.

These spiky looking red things are “anti-tank hedghogs” just outside of Moscow. They are designed to be placed in roads or along defensive lines to stop mobile armour zooming about. These hedghogs are a memorial that marks the closest point to Moscow reached by the German armour in the winter of 1941.

That huge car park and building to the south-west is bizzarely an Ikea store. There is some concern about future construction and its proximity to the monument.