Informational Text booklet
Overall idea: Famous Landmarks
Topic #1 Stonehenge
Details of Topic #1
Stonehenge is located on the Salisbury Plain in England. It is probably the most
important prehistoric monument in England and has attracted visitors from earliest
times; nearly 1 million people visit Stonehenge every year. No one knows who
actually built Stonehenge, so the mystery continues. It is made out of about 100
massive upright stones placed in a circular layout. It stands as a timeless monument
to the people who built it. The Stonehenge that we see today is the final stage that
was completed about 3500 years ago, but first let us look back 5000 years. Some
believe Stonehenge was once a burial ground, they have yet to determine what
other purposes it served and how a civilization without modern technology—or
even the wheel—produced the mighty monument.
Topic #2 - The Taj Mahal
Details of Topic #2
The Taj Mahal is one of the wonders of the world. It is located in Agra, India. This
amazing structure was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial and tomb
in honor and memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The name of the building
means "crown of palaces" and is the jewel of Muslim art in India. The building is
made mostly out of white marbel, but also has bits of jasper, hade, crystal, turquoise,
sapphire and carnelain. People can visit the Taj Mahal on any day of the week
except for Fridays.
Topic #3 Eiffel Tower
Details of Topic #3
The Eiffel Tower is an iron lattice tower located in Paris, France. Built in 1889 as
the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair. Its nickname is "the Iron Lady" and was
named after a man named Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the
tower. The tower is made of iron and stands 1,050 feet tall, about the same height as
an 81-story building. Construction was started on January 26, 1887, and was
completed on March 31, 1889. Building the foundations required just over five
months.The tower has three levels for visitors. Tickets can be purchased to ascend,
by stairs or elevator. The walk from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps,
as is the walk from the first to the second level. The third and highest level is
accessible only by lift - stairs exist but they are not usually open for public use. The
tower has become the most prominent symbol of both Paris and France, often in the
establishing shot of films set in the city.
Topic #4 Table Mountain
Details of Topic #4
Table Mountain is part of Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town, South Africa.
The main feature of Table Mountain is the level plateau approximately 2 miles from
side to side, edged by impressive cliffs. The plateau forms a dramatic backdrop to
Cape Town. The highest point on Table Mountain is towards the eastern end of the
plateau, which is 3,563 feet above sea level. The upper part of the mountain mesa
consists of Ordovician quartzitic sandstone, which is highly resistant to erosion and
forms characteristic steep grey crags. Below the sandstone is a layer of micaceous
basal shale, which weathers quite readily and is therefore not well exposed. The
basement consists of Malmesbury shale. People can hike, go rock climbing and
caving at Table Mountain. Tourists can also go up the mountain via a cable car.