Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-01
SOME BIG THINGS.
In the Possession of Many of Which
America Takes the Lead.

The largest suspension bridge in the
world is the one between Brooklyn
and New York. The length of the
main span is 1905 feet and inches.
The entire length of the bridge is 81
9S9 feet.
Fortress Monroe is the largest single
| fortification in the world. 1t has al
ready cost the American Government
over So, 100000. The water battery is
considered enc of the finest military
works in the world.
The loftiest active volcano is Popo-
catapetl Smoking mountainl, thirty
five miles southwest of Pueblo, Mexico.
1t is 1874 feet above the sea level,
and has crater three miles in circum-
ference and 1000 feet deep.
The largest university is that of Ok
ford, England. 1t consists of twenty
five colleges and five halls.
The most extensive park is Deer
Park, in the environs Of Copenhagen,
| Denmark. The inclosure contains A.
200 acres, and is divided by a small
river. The largest pleasure-ground in
America is Paramount Park, Philadel-
phia, which contains $40 acres.
The largest body of fresh water on
the globe is Lake Superior. 1t is 400
miles long, 100 miles wide at its great
est breadth, and has an area of $4,000
square miles. It's mean depth is said
to be 200 feet, and its greatest depth
about 900 fathoms. Its surface is 365
feet above the sea.
The largest tunnel in the world is
that of st. Gothard, on the line of rail-
road between Lucern and Milan. The
summit of the tunnel is $50 feet be-
meath the peak of the Kastelhorn, of
the ST. Gothard group.
The most extensive cavern is the
Mammoth Cave, in Edmonson County,
Kentucky. 1t is near Green River, six
miles from Bowling Green.
The largest trees are the mammoth
trees of California. One of grove in
Tulare County according to measure
ment made by members of the State
Geological Survey, was shown to be
276 feet high, 105 feet in circumfer-
ence at the base, and rs feet at point
twelve feet above the ground. Some
of the trees are SIC feet high and "a feet
in diameter. Some of the largest that
have been felled indicate an age from
1000 to $500 years.
The largest inland sea is the Caspian,
lying between Europe and Asia. Its
greatest length is 700 miles, its greatest
breadth 300 miles, and its area $4,000
square miles.
The largest empire in the world is
that of Great Britain, comprising s.
657 ,55S square miles (more than a
sixth part of the land of the olobe)
and embracing under its rule nearly
sixth part of the population of the
world. In territorial extent the
United States ranks third. containing
$3.50, 252 square miles, including
Alaska, in population it ranks fourth,
with its 50,000.000 people Russia
ranks second, 1852, $40 square miles.
The highest monolith IS the obelisk
at Karnak, Egypt. karnak is on the
east side of the Nile, near Luxor, and
Thebes. Its whole length is 122 feet;
its weight 400 tons. Its height, with
out pedestal, is $50 feet 10 inches.
The Chinese wall is the largest wall
IN the world. 1t was built by the first
Emperor of the Tsin dynasty, about
24O B. c., as a protection against
Iartars. Its length is l,2oO miles. In
Guiding parapet of five feet, the total
height of the wall is twenty feet; thick
ness at the base twenty-five feet, and
at the top fifteen feet. Towers or
bastions occur at intervals of about 100
yards.
The largest library is the Bibliothe-
que national in Paris, founded by
Louis XIV. 1t contains $4,000
volumes, 100000 pamphlets. $4,000
manuscripts, 100000 maps and charts,
and 100000 coins and medals The
collection of engrayings exceeds L.
100000, contained in some 10000 vol
umeS.
The largest bell in the world is the
great bell of Moscow, at the foot of
Kremlin. Its circumference at the
bottom is nearly 6S feet, and its height
p feet. In its stoutest part it is %
inches thick. and its weight is COM
puted to be S43.772 pounds.
The largest cathedral in the world is
St. Peters, in Rome