These Egyptian pyramids are some of the world’s largest human-made structures.

ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES (PYRAMIDS); DAVID GABIS/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO (CAMEL)

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A Small World

A miniature version of the world is on display in New York City.

September 1, 2018
by Jennifer Marino Walters

Imagine being able to travel around the globe in just one day! If you go to New York City, you can do just that. An exhibition there called Gulliver’s Gate shows miniature models of regions around the world, including their famous landmarks. You can see tiny ships sailing past the pyramids in Egypt. In another spot, you’ll see the Taj Mahal in India lighting up at night.

PATTI MCCONVILLE/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

The Taj Mahal model

The exhibition’s name was inspired by the tales of a fictional explorer named Gulliver. Its creators want visitors to explore the world by seeing many of its highlights all in one place.

Landmarks are sites of great historical, cultural, or natural importance. That’s why they’re popular tourist spots. Many of them are human-made. These types of landmarks include supersized structures, ancient buildings, and modern monuments. Some, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, are marvels of engineering. Others, like the ancient city of Machu Picchu in Peru, teach us about the history and traditions of a country or region.

Landmarks like Mount Everest—the world’s highest peak—are natural wonders. These features of Earth inspire awe because of their size or beauty.

BETH DIXSON

A model of the Statue of Liberty

Gulliver’s Gate is housed in a space the size of a football field. Each region of the world was created by a team of model makers from that area.
 

“Believe it or not, the toughest part is deciding what to build,” explains Adrian Davies, the head of model making at Gulliver’s Gate. “It’s better for someone in Europe to decide which landmarks represent Europe.”

From sketches to finished models, a landmark model takes at least a month to create. Davies says that there are plans to add new ones. The goal is to get people to keep exploring the globe’s wonders.

“[Gulliver’s Gate] is our love letter to the world!” says Eiran Gazit, the attraction’s co-founder.    

BETH DIXSON

Visitors to Gulliver’s Gate can have models of themselves made and placed in an exhibit.

Continue the Learning Journey

  • Look through the slideshow "Map It!" to read clues and find landmarks around the world. Then think about which landmark you would like to visit. Write a paragraph explaining which landmark you'd like to visit and why.
  • Design a landmark for your town, community, or state. Think about what it's made from, where it would be located, and why it represents your area. Then create a sketch or build a model of your landmark.
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