17 The longest suspension bridge in the world

Verrazano, an Italian about whom little is known, sailed into New York Harbour in 1524 and named it Angoulême.

He described it as ‘a very agreeable situation located within two small hills in the midst of which flowed a great river. ’

Though Verrazano is by no means considered to be a great explorer, his name will probably remain immortal, for on November 21st, 1964, the longest suspension bridge in the world was named after him.

The Verrazano Bridge, which was designed by Othmar Ammann, joins Brooklyn to Staten Island. It has a span of 4, 260 feet.

The bridge is so long that the shape of the earth had to be taken into account by its designer.

Two great towers support four huge cables.