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

With it’s 217 foot tower the Liberty Memorial is the United States’s only major World War I monument. Built in 1921 the monument incorporates two Sphinx sculptures, two museums and the tower, which is topped by four large stone figures representing Courage, Honour, Patriotism and Sacrifice.

After getting run down and becoming a ‘haven for male prostitution and drug dealing’ the memorial went through a $30 million restoration in 2000-2002 and is once again a valuable tourist attraction.

Thanks: Ben Haines & Sam

Parliament Hill is the seat of power for the Government of Canada. The white dome to the north is covering the Library of Parliament which is currently being restored. The library was built in 1876 and is the only part of the parliament that survived a fire in 1916.

To the front of the building you can see the shadow cast by the Peace Tower, a memorial to those Canadians who died in World War I.

More info and Pictures

Thanks: Dean, Corwin, Bob Wong, Greg Small, Don Campbell, Pat Suwalski, Joe Tremblay, Zibblsnrt, Ivan M, velusip, MatB, Dilip Andrade, Dmitri, Joe Dawson, Fernando, Nick Mahon & Quinn Kuiken

The 131 foot tall Edison Memorial Tower marks the original site of Thomas Alva Edison’s original labs in the Menlo Park section of what is now Edison Township in New Jersey, USA. The tower is topped by the world’s largest working lightbulb (ground level photos & more info).

Thanks: Peter & Elliott C. Evans

One of more than 1,700 parks in New York City, Washington Square Park is probably one of the best known (after Central Park obviously). In 1889, to celebrate the centennial of George Washington’s inauguracy as president, a large plaster and wood Memorial Arch was erected at the northern entrance to the park. The plaster and wood arch was replaced in 1892 with a marble arch designed by Stanford White, which you can see here in our thumbnail image thanks to the helpful shadow You can also see the park’s fountain where public performances often occur.

Also, this is one of the parks with all the outdoor chess tables. Cool, although apparently it’s 3 bucks a game!

Thanks: Benjamin