Cultural Landscape: How Humans Modify The Natural Environment APHG Fall 25 by Paul Goossens

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı, Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

pgoossens4 — 2025-10-22 20:00:02 UTC

This beautiful sacred space was created originally as an Orthodox Church. When the Crusades occurred, it was turned into a Catholic Church. When the Ottoman Empire took this region over, the Muslims turned it into a mosque. They added minarets and the kibla, the direction to Mekkah. It is now a museum, but Friday Prayers are held there. This is an example of sequent occupance.

Taj Mahal, Dharmapuri, Forest Colony, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

201800532_3 — 2025-10-22 21:31:13 UTC

Kilmainham Gaol, Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, Ireland

201402869 — 2025-10-22 21:32:30 UTC

A. The Kilmainham Gaol began being built in 1786, and opened in 1796.

B. The museum was built as a prison with additional gallows for hangings near the entrance and was built near Gallows Hill.

C. The building was created mainly out of limestone and granite.

D. The main entrance was complete with a large doorway featuring five "monstrous" shapes. These shapes have been seen as representing murder, rape, theft, treason, and piracy. The prison was renovated in the 1850's and these renovations made for a more "spiritually inspiring" view for the inmates.

E. The building was initially created as a prison but has since been turned into a museum.

F. During the 1923 Irish hunger strikes, the prison was the site of several strikes. In March of 1923, 97 women went on strike after their privileges had been denied, one of these women dying near after being released because she had been severely emaciated.

Taj Mahal, Dharmapuri, Forest Colony, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

201800532_3 — 2025-10-22 21:32:51 UTC

The great Taj Mahal! The Taj Mahal was built in 1632. The Taj Mahal was created by the Mughal Emperor Shan Jahan as a tomb for his dearest wife Mumtaz Mahal who had died tragically in 1631. Materials used to built the Taj Mahal were white marbles which the entire building is mostly made out of, Semi-precious stones such as Jade from China and Jasper from Punjab. The architect of the building was Ustad Ahmad Lahori and the type of architect used was the Mughal architecture. The purpose of Taj Mahal now is a place for religious prayers (there are mosques) and tourist destination (over 6.7 Million in 2023-2024 have visited the Taj Mahal. An interesting fact about the Taj Mahal is that it's color changes every day and sometimes during the day due to the material (marble).

Colosseum, Piazza del Colosseo, Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy

201700314_2 — 2025-10-22 21:33:00 UTC

The Colosseum was built in 72AD. It was built to be a public entertainment stadium by Emperor Vespasian. It was also used to boost the Rome Dynasty's popularity. It was built with limestone, volcanic rock, and an ancient type of concrete. It was built in an Ancient Roman architectural style with many different types of columns. It was used to host public events, while now it is a tourist attraction and a reminder of Rome's powerful past. An interesting fact was that it was built under a system of aqueducts so that it could be flooded during plays and mock battles.

Eiffel Tower, Avenue Gustave Eiffel, Paris, France

201500496 — 2025-10-22 21:33:11 UTC

The Eiffel Tower was built on January 26, 1887. This monument was built to create a lasting mark in France for the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. The materials used to create the tower are: 18000 iron parts and 2.5 million rivet pieces to secure the building. However, since modern times, safety glass was added, but only on the first level. The tower itself is repainted to prevent rust ever so often to preserve elegance. The design/architecture type of the Eiffel Tower is an arched, slim cone shape, with 1800s construction styles used to conserve the appeal of the tower. The modern usage of the tower is an tourist attraction, with several thousands of visitors throughout the years. One interesting Fact about the Eiffel Tower is that it took a little over 2 years to create.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, Al Haram, Nazlet El-Semman, Al Haram, Egypt

202000544_3 — 2025-10-22 21:33:52 UTC

The Great Pyramids of Giza were built in between 2589 and 2504 BC. The pyramids were built as elaborate tombs for the pharaohs, who were believed to become gods in the afterlife. The massive structures were meant to protect the pharaoh's body and all the items needed for the next world, and to serve as a symbolic ramp for their spirit to ascend to the heavens. The pyramids were built primarily from millions of massive blocks of locally quarried limestone, with a finer white limestone used for the outer casing and harder granite from Aswan reserved for the pharaohs' burial chambers. The pyramids were designed as true, smooth-sided pyramids with a square base and four triangular faces, and were built as the central monument within a larger mortuary complex that also featured temples and causeways. Their design showcased advanced engineering, including astronomical precision in their alignment to the cardinal directions, and an interior layout of passages and chambers meant to aid the pharaoh's ascent to the heavens. In this day and age, the primary reasons for constructing monumental, pyramid-shaped structures have shifted from funerary and religious purposes to architectural, symbolic, and commercial ones. The building would serve a function relevant to modern society rather than for the journey of a divine ruler's spirit.Initially, the Pyramids of Giza were encased in polished, white limestone that reflected the sun and made the structures gleam brilliantly across the desert. The Great Pyramid also had a hidden, 20-ton swivel door at its entrance that could be opened from the inside with a single hand but was nearly invisible from the outside.

Chichén-Itzá, Yucatan, Mexico

202500704_1 — 2025-10-22 21:34:37 UTC

The Chichén Itzá was built between the 6th and 10 centuries. It was built to serve as a big political, economic, and religious center for the Mayan civilization. It was mainly built using limestone and sascab( a different type of limestone). The Architecture type and the design for it was a blend of Maya Puuc and Toltec styles. The purpose of building it currently was to provide education, appreciation for culture, and just to tour it and seeing all the cool stuff that was made a long time ago. A interesting fact is the pyramid is a testament to the Mayan civilization of Math and Astronomy and the steps have 365 days in total and 91 steps on each of the four sides with the top platform.

Brandenburg Gate, Pariser Platz, Berlin, Germany

202400848 — 2025-10-22 21:35:55 UTC

The Brandenburg Gate was built in between 1788 to 1791.

It was built by King Frederick William II of Prussia. It was a grand entrance to Berlin and a symbol of peace. It is primarily made from sandstone, using a bit of brass for the statue part. The gate is neoclassical, the revival of a classical style. Nowadays, it is used as a tourist attraction and a place to meet for national celebration. One fun fact is that it was originally a sign of division, standing in between west and east Berlin.

Statue of Liberty National Monument, New York, NY

202401128_1 — 2025-10-22 21:36:00 UTC

The Statue of Liberty was built in between 1875 and 1884. It was built by France as a gift for the United States. It's made from copper, gold, steel, and cast iron. It's architect type is neoclassic. Now it serves as a global symbol of hope and freedom. There are tours done of the inside of it. It used to be brown but the copper rusted over many years turning it into the green color it is now.

Space Needle, Broad Street, Seattle, WA

202500225 — 2025-10-22 21:36:21 UTC

The Space Needle was built on April 17, 1961 and was built as a centerpiece for the 1962 World's Fair. It was built with sturdy steel and concrete along with reinforced steel, and recently, specialized glass. It was meant to be a combination of futuristic and Space Age aesthetics and has a saucer-like top that showed the era's tech and progress and was built as a tourist attraction towards Seattle. The Space Needle is designed to withstand 200 mph winds so it's very sturdy.

Sensō-ji Temple

201402764 — 2025-10-22 21:36:43 UTC

The Sensō-ji Temple, located near the heart of Tokyo, was constructed in 645 AD. It is said by legend that it was originally built to enshrine a golden statue of Kannon, their Goddess of mercy. The original temple was mainly made of wood but the reconstructions (due to damage from WW2) are made of titanium and concrete. The building is Japanese Buddhist architecture, and is similar to other buildings from the Edo period. The main purpose of the Sensō-ji is for Buddhist worship and is dedicated to Kannon. People pray for health, good fortune, and peace. One fact is that the statue of Kannon is so sacred that it has been kept hidden from public view since the start of the temple.

Tara national park, Tara, Serbia

202301110_2 — 2025-10-22 21:36:45 UTC

The Tara National Park is a region within Serbia that was established in 1981 to preserve the beauty of the natural landscape. The landscape is composed of different minerals such as limestone, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks such as slate and marble, rather than a built structure. However, the park does include various buildings of rural architecture and monasteries that were made to reflect the past. Today, it is a place people can visit to get a touch of the past and amazing views.

N Seoul Tower, Seoul

202500364 — 2025-10-22 21:37:09 UTC

They began building the N Seoul Tower in 1969 and it was finished in 1971. This structure was built as a radio wave tower for both transmitting signals and blocking North Korean broadcasts. The tower was mainly built out of reinforced concrete with a steel framework surrounding the upper levels and elevator. The design is the steel framework around the circular concrete wall. While it was originally used for broadcasting TV signals, it is now a tourist attraction for those in South Korea with observation decks. The N Seoul Tower is now known for the love locks, in which people, specifically couples, leave padlocks on the gate with their names signed.

Tikal, Guatemala

202100919_2 — 2025-10-22 21:37:41 UTC

The Tikal was built around 350 B.C with the other major cities. The Tikal was built so that Maya citizens could have powerful politics this also means that this was the capital of the military and they would have political dominance overseas. The other reason why the Tikal was built for religious and ceremonial functions, they had hubs for religious ceremonies and this brought the community more together. They also buried tombs for rulers of the building inside of it. The last thing was because they want to create an urban city like for one they had so much populations that they built new ways of getting water easier for them like they built dams, reservoirs and they built a sand filtration systems so they would still have water even though is was during the dry seasons.The primary material used for the Tikal was Limestone, sapodilla wood, stucco, and clay, but limestone the main building material. The Architecture type/Design of the Tikal was primarily "Mesoamerican pyramid style". The purpose of the Tikal is now for tourism and also is used for scientific research. It was home to 100,000 Maya people and one of the largest cities.

Christ the Redeemer - Alto da Boa Vista, Rio de Janeiro - State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

202500457 — 2025-10-22 21:38:41 UTC

Christ was built in 1926 as a way to restore and encourage faith in the Catholic religious community. Built out of a strong concrete and mosaic soapstone tiled. The design and architecture is a giant Jesus Christ standing on a mountain with his arms spread out. An interesting fact is people from Brazil say when Jesus returns the statue will crumple and he will rise from the rubble The current purpose is a historic monument and a place of history that tourists visit.

Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis, MO

202101019_4 — 2025-10-22 21:39:04 UTC

Construction on The Gateway Arch started in February 12, 1963 and ended in October 28, 1965.The Gateway Arch was built to symbolize St. Louis as a gateway to the west, and to celebrate former President Thomas Jefferson's vision. It was built using stainless steel, carbon steel, and renforced concrete.Today The Gateway Arch is used for tourism and leisure. The arch is 630 feet tall, which makes it the tallest monument in the U.S. and the tallest Arch in the world

Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, SD

202500832_1 — 2025-10-22 21:39:29 UTC

Mount Rushmore was built on October 4, 1927. Mount Rushmore was built to attract tourists to south Dakota and celebrate America's growth. Doane Robinson, a historian, wanted to help the states economy. Later, sculptor Guzton Borglum wanted to bring recognition to the four presidents representing important eras of American history. Mount Rushmore was carved using granite. It is a monumental sculpture and designed as a cultural landscape. Mount Rushmore's purpose is to show a national monument for the inspiration, education, and entertainment to the public. A fun fact is that it took 14 years and 400 workers to carve. It also involved using dynamite to get rid of 90% of the rock.

Kyoto Temples and geisha districts

201403764 — 2025-10-22 21:40:33 UTC

They have traditions like activities such as participating in a tea ceremony or staying at a traditional ryokan. Kyoto has places like: Nara, castles, Shrines and temples, Hiroshima, ect.

Burj Khalifa - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

201600585 — 2025-10-22 21:41:47 UTC

Hallstatt - Tourismusbüro der Ferienregion Dachstein Salzkammergut, Seestraße, Hallstatt, Austria

2021002742 — 2025-10-22 21:43:52 UTC

Created approximately 800 - 450 BC Created due to rich salt deposits which led to salt mining and prosperity for the miners in the deposit. Made out of Dachstein limestone and Permian salt rock with the mix of clay, plaster and salt. Baroque type of design and a mix of vernacular style. The current use of the Hallstatt Dachstein is that it is used for a cultural heritage site and is a tourist attraction. Holds the worlds oldest salt mine which dates back to 7000 BC.

Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, Peru

202200578_1 — 2025-10-22 22:19:04 UTC

Machu Picchu was built around 1450 A.D and wasn't discover until July 1911 by a American explorer Hiram Bingham. It was built as a royal estate for Inca emperor Pachacuti. Materials used is locally sourced stone , granite and andesite. Its architecture design was to be earthquake resistances , water management, astronomical alignment, and buildings that follows natural contours. It is now a major tourist destination and cultural heritage site. Hiram Bingham was lead to the site by locals.

Chinatown San Francisco, Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA

201700778 — 2025-10-23 01:15:31 UTC

Humans have modified this area in San Francisco and made this area a sort of homage to Chinese people. Chinatown was established in 1849. This shows how many people migrate to the US and how they bring their culture with them. This area demonstrates China's culture and heritage. This place is very beautiful and shows how people have the ability to support other cultures. This place shows culture relativism.

Trevi Fountain, Piazza di Trevi, Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy

202500800 — 2025-10-23 01:34:46 UTC

After many years in the works, the beautiful Trevi Fountain had finished being built in 1762. Oceanus, the God of water, is the main focus, and is surrounded by the statues of Abundance, Salubrity, tritons, and hippocamps. The fountain was built after Pope Clement XII held a contest for the design of the fountain, seeking to strengthen his Papal legacy. The fountain was built out of Travertine stone, the same material used to build the Colosseum. The fountain is Baroque-style. Today, its style is primarily aesthetic and symbolic. It is said that if you throw one coin in the fountain, you will return to Rome. If you throw two coins, you will fall in love with an attractive Italian. If you throw three coins, you will marry the person you that you met.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA

201600945_2 — 2025-10-23 02:29:15 UTC

Finished and completely built on January 5, 1933, the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge was created for the main purpose of connecting San Francisco to Marin County, which was separated by the Golden Gate strait. The creation of the bridge was also considered an economic strategy since the only way to get to the latter county was through ferries, which therefore cut off much interaction from the area. The bridge was made using tens of thousands of tons of steel and concrete with protective layers of paint firmly coating its exterior to prevent corrosion. As for design, it is considered a suspension bridge created with the style of Art Deco. As of today, the Golden Gate Bridge is being used as a convenient way to get to Marin County and back and as a bustling harbor for recreation and tourism. To top that off, it has now become a symbol of American resilience, due to the hard work it took to build the bridge. Lastly, a fun fact is that, if unraveled completely, the bridge's cables could circle the Earth multiple times when laid end to end.

Mecca Saudi Arabia

202400149_2 — 2025-10-23 03:04:32 UTC

Mecca Saudi Arabia was built around 2000 and 1900 BCE, in the 2nd millennium BCE.

It was originally built to be a house of worship to God. Materials that were used to build Mecca were stone, mud bricks, palm leaves and later on marble, granite and limestone were used to make a more durable structure. It is a religious structure and it has Islamic architectures and cuboid design. In actual times it is used to trade and for religious centers for the Arabian Peninsula and it is the holiest city in Islam.

One interesting fact that only Muslims can enter.

Chernobyl NPP Unit 3, вулиця Спортивна, Pryp'yat', Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine

202500752 — 2025-10-23 17:22:58 UTC

The first reactor of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was completed on September 26, 1977. The second, third, and fourth reactors were completed in 1978, 1981, and 1983 respectively. It was built for the purpose of supplying electricity for the Central Energy District of Ukraine, and to produce plutonium for the Soviet Union's nuclear weapons program. The exterior buildings of the power plant were made of large prefabricated, reinforced concrete panels. The internal reactors were made of reinforced concrete with graphite moderators and zirconium alloy fuel channels. Chernobyl's exterior design featured hallmarks of Soviet modernist architecture with the exposed concrete and geometric forms. The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in its current state has no distinctive purpose besides needing to be decommissioned. However, the surrounding Exclusion Zone acts as both a wildlife sanctuary and as a place of research. An interesting fact is that Chernobyl is now inhabited by many animals, despite the remaining radiation.

Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

202300836 — 2025-10-23 19:13:54 UTC

Florence was built in around 59 BCE, Florence was originally built as a colony for Roman soldiers. The materials used for buildings in Florence were sandstone, marble, brick, terracotta, plaster, and wood. The main type of architecture that can be found in Florence building designs is Renaissance due to how it's considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. The purposes of the buildings in Florence were to present their power, pride, and wealth. One interesting fact about Florence is that many of the people when in an argument with someone not from Florence, commonly get asked as to what they've done in the last 500 years. This is due to how the only major things Florence has done were over 500 years ago.

Basque Monument, N Sierra St, Reno, NV

201601440 — 2025-10-26 03:27:56 UTC

The Basque Monument located in Reno, NV was built in 1989 on August 27. The creator is a Basque artist that goes by the name 'Nestor Basterretxea'. The Basque Monument serves as a memorial to the Basque immigrants who worked as sheepherders who settled in the American West. The materials used for this monument were originally bronze for its sculpture and plaques, but the bronze plaques were later stolen and replaced with more durable steel ones. The architectural design for this monument is a postmodern sculpture. The purpose of the building now is similar to the past reasoning, but the creator wanted to honor and memorialize the Basque sheepherders from the early European population and history. 1 interesting fact about The Basque Sheepherder Monument is known as "Bakardade," or "Solitude," which refers to the loneliness Basque sheepherders often experienced while tending their flocks alone for months on end.

Nagigi Naag Mandir, Labasa, Fiji

202500829 — 2025-10-26 18:05:59 UTC

The Nagigi Naag Mandir was built around a naturally discovered, growing "cobra" stone, which local worshippers discovered over 100 years ago.There was a shed built in 1963 when people found a growing stone and built a shed and worshipping it. The stone kept growing and took the shape of a serpent's head. People demolished the shed and built a temple to accommodate its growth. They used concrete, iron and timbers and also built 108 stairs connecting to it. Now people around the world travel to see the natural phenomenal.