Poker-straight, rod-like structures shooting out into an abyss of deep blue water, rickety pathways swinging over deep canyons, thick concrete roads emerging out of rolling hills, the world’s bridges come in many shapes, sizes and functionalities. The way they are viewed changes depending on the objective of those viewing them, whether it’s in terms of utility, architectural prowess or purely for aesthetic value. On a more scientific level, the way they are viewed can also depend on where you are from. In a 2018 TedTalk on the importance of language, cognitive scientist Lera Boroditsky highlighted that the word ‘bridge’ has different connotations in different languages. It ‘happens to be grammatically feminine in German, grammatically masculine in Spanish’, she says. ‘German speakers are more likely to say bridges are beautiful, elegant and stereotypically feminine words. Whereas Spanish speakers will be more likely to say they’re strong or long.’
However you view them and whatever language you speak, many bridges around the globe are objectively impressive architectural feats. We’ve rounded up the most magnificent, from twisted, cage-like structures in Dubai to precarious footpaths drooping into steep chasms in Madagascar.