Landmark

For other uses, see Landmark (disambiguation).

Originally, a landmark literally meant a geographic feature used by explorers and others to find their way back or through an area.

Overview

In modern usage, a landmark includes anything that is easily recognizable, such as a monument, building, or other structure. In American English it is the main term used to designate places that might be of interest to tourists due to notable physical features or historical significance. Landmarks in the British English sense are often used for casual navigation, such as giving directions. This is done in American English as well.

In urban studies as well as in geography, a landmark is furthermore defined as an external point of reference that helps orienting in a familiar or unfamiliar environment. Landmarks are often used in verbal route instructions and as such an object of study by linguists as well as in other fields of study.

A variant is a seamark or daymark, a structure usually built intentionally to aid sailors navigating featureless coasts. An example is the tower at Walton-on-the-Naze in England.

Gallery

The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a famous landmark and tourist attractions in Taipei and Taiwan.   Uluru, a natural landmark in Northern Territory, Australia.   Kuwait Towers, one of Kuwait's most famous landmarks   1837 woodcut of Falls, from États Unis d'Amérique by Roux de Rochelle.   Man and woman on Canadian side of Niagara Falls, circa 1858   Tallest in the world from 1889 to 1930 Eiffel Tower in Paris France.

See also

• Cultural heritage management
• List of landmarks, a comprehensive list of major landmarks around the world.
• National icons

External links

• Media related to Landmarks at Wikimedia Commons