11 Famous things that are 200 feet long
This article is for you if you want to understand how long is 200 feet and what famous objects are roughly 200 feet tall or long. Around the world, there are numerous well-known sites, statues, and natural wonders that are 200 feet in height or length. These buildings make a deep impression on people who view them and are frequently symbols of nature, culture, and history.
A number like “200 feet” is an abstract number. Your brain must work hard to convert that abstract number into a tangible, visual image in order for you to comprehend it.
Although 200 feet isn’t a common length for structures or objects, it does exist in some things that are somewhat longer or shorter than that, and it still serves as a helpful benchmark.
How long is 200 feet visually
Humans naturally visualize small distances much better than long ones. Once you go past about 50 feet, we rely on comparisons instead of instinct. Visualizing 200 feet can be tricky, it is a distance that appears astonishingly lengthy when measured on the ground and strikingly tall when viewed from above.
Understanding measurement can be surprisingly challenging for the human brain, even though we saw it every day. It’s absolutely possible to visualize 200 feet, but your brain usually needs a comparison anchor. Our minds aren’t great at raw numbers, but they’re good with familiar objects.
Using familiar things to visualize lengths is not just helpful—it is the primary way humans understand scale and distance. Without a reference point, a number like “200 feet” is just an abstract concept. But when you link that number to something you’ve seen or experienced, your brain can finally grasp it.
Two hundred feet is a distance that can be surprisingly hard to picture, but once you have a few key comparisons in your head, you’ll be able to spot it easily. Comparing lengths to familiar objects is one of the most effective ways to visualize distance.
11 Things That are 200 Feet Long
Trying to guess the size or distance of something without tools is notoriously difficult. Our brains are easily tricked by perspective, obstacles, and even our own emotions. Although visualizing 200 feet is completely feasible, your brain typically need a reference anchor. While our minds do well with known objects, they struggle with raw numbers.
On the ground, 200 feet is a distance you can easily visualize with these comparisons.
- Ice Hockey Rink
- The Cross at the Crossroads—Effingham
- Motherland Monument
- The Tall Central Florida Cross—Orlando
- Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom
- Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, North Carolina
- The Great Cross—St. Augustine, Florida
- Bunker Hill Monument in Boston
- The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption
- Cinderella Castle at Disney World
Ice Hockey Rink
Ice hockey is hugely popular in North America and Europe. While played globally, ice hockey is Canada’s official winter sport and deeply ingrained in national identity. The best countries in the world at ice hockey have consistently been Canada, the United States, Russia, Sweden, and Finland.
Ice hockey is a fast-paced, physical team sport played on an ice rink—a frozen ice surface with boards surrounding it—where players wear bladed skates to glide across the ice while hitting a hard rubber disk called a puck.
An ice rink for ice hockey is a specially designed rectangular arena with a frozen surface, surrounded by walls and glass, where the game is played. The dimensions of an ice hockey rink differ between the two main professional leagues and international standards.
Here’s a breakdown of the standard dimensions:
- NHL / North American Standard:
For most North Americans, the 200 feet x 85 feet NHL rink is the standard. 200 feet is the length, and 85 feet is the width; this is the rink size used in the National Hockey League (NHL) and most minor leagues in North America.
The National Hockey League (NHL) rink is the ideal illustration of a 200-foot length.
- IIHF/Olympic Standard (Larger Rink):
For the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), the 197 ft (length) x 98.4 ft (width) rink is the standard. This is the international standard set by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and used in the Olympics, World Championships, and most European professional leagues.
The Cross at the Crossroads—Effingham
The “Cross at the Crossroads,” the monumental cross structure in Effingham, Illinois, which has become a defining landmark for the region and a symbol visible for miles along the interstate. Its official name is the “Cross Foundation” or “The Effingham Cross.”
Officially dedicated on September 16, 2001, just days after the 9/11 attacks, which added a profound layer of meaning to its presence as a symbol of resilience and hope. It is owned and maintained by the not-for-profit “The Cross Foundation.”
The Cross at the Crossroads is more than just a large structure; it is a 198-foot-tall, 113-foot-wide steel monument strategically placed at one of America’s busiest highway interchanges. Interestingly, the cross was intentionally kept below 200 feet to avoid FAA regulations requiring a light on top of structures 200 feet or taller.
The Cross at the Crossroads in Effingham, Illinois, is famous for being the tallest cross in the United States. As the “Largest Cross” at 198 feet tall, it’s a record-holding structure that commands attention. It’s a massive, stark-white object on the otherwise flat prairie landscape, making it impossible to miss.
Motherland Monument
The Motherland Monument, originally named “Mother Motherland,” in Kyiv, Ukraine, was opened in 1981 to glorify the Soviet victory in WWII. It honors the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. It is one of the tallest monumental statues in the world. Standing at a total height of 335 feet.
The stainless steel female figure statue of the Motherland Monument, known as “Mother Ukraine,” is 203 feet tall from the feet to the tip of the sword. The statue stands much taller than the Statue of Liberty (151 feet from heel to top of head).
It is the world’s first all-welded monumental sculpture, built of stainless steel and weighing 560 tons. It carries a 52-foot-long sword weighing 9 tonnes in its right hand and a 43-by-26-foot shield in its left hand.
In 2023, the Soviet hammer and sickle on its shield was removed and replaced with Ukraine’s trident (tryzub), reflecting Ukraine’s national identity, officially renaming it “Mother Ukraine.” This monument is famous for being a colossal symbol of Ukrainian resilience.
The Tall Central Florida Cross—Orlando
The Tall Central Florida Cross, now known as the Church at the Cross, formerly known as the First Baptist Church of Central Florida, is located on the expansive campus of the church in West Orlando, Florida. It’s the second tallest cross in the United States. It’s 199 feet tall, 55 feet wide, and weighs 250,000 pounds, and it was completed in 2008.
This 199-foot-tall cross is situated at the center of the church campus and is lit with LED lights at night and is visible for miles, particularly from Interstate 4. Four 40-foot-tall biblical scenes—the Sermon on the Mount, the Crucifixion, the Empty Tomb, and the Ascension—are depicted at the base of the cross. David Shows, a gifted graphic artist, painted these sculptured panels.
The difference between 199 feet and 200 feet is just 1 foot. Visually, the difference is about the length of a standard ruler or the height of a typical cinder block.
Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom
Expedition Everest is one of the signature attractions at Disney’s. It is a thrilling, high-speed steel roller coaster located in the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando. With a total cost of almost $100 million, it was the most costly roller coaster ever constructed when it debuted on April 7, 2006.
Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is 199.5 feet and it is the tallest attraction at Walt Disney World. In order to avoid needing an airborne warning beacon, Disney maintained its height at slightly under 200 feet.
This ride consistently ranks as one of the most loved Disney thrill attractions in America. It gives thrill-seekers something closer to a major theme park coaster—but with Disney polish. It’s intense enough for teens and adults but still accessible to many families.
Disney didn’t just build a coaster, they built a full Himalayan village. Even people who don’t love coasters appreciate the immersive storytelling. The massive mountain structure dominates the skyline of Animal Kingdom and is one of the most photographed landmarks in the park.
Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC
The Lincoln Memorial was built between 1914 and 1922. It was designed by the architect Henry Bacon. The memorial is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and honors Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.
The Lincoln Memorial is an iconic Greek Revival-style monument. Every dimension of the Lincoln Memorial was carefully chosen for symbolic meaning and scale and to create a powerful, contemplative space befitting the 16th president.
The memorial is surrounded by 36 fluted Doric columns, one for each of the 36 states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death in 1865. The Lincoln Memorial is 190 feet long, 120 feet wide, and 99 feet tall.
If you’re trying to visualize 200 feet, the 190-foot length of the Lincoln Memorial would be pretty accurate. You’d just need to imagine adding about one more car length to get to 200 feet.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, North Carolina
The Cape Hatteras Light Station is located in Buxton, on Hatteras Island, along North Carolina’s Outer Banks, USA. According to the National Maritime Preservation Initiative and F. Ross Holland, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States and in the world.
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in North Carolina is officially 198.49 feet (often rounded to 198.5 feet) tall from ground to lightning rod, according to the National Park Service (nps.gov).
The difference between 200 feet and 198.5 feet is very minimal; that’s just 1.5 feet more length. In practical terms, when you’re trying to picture or estimate a distance/height/length around 200 feet, 198.5 feet is so close that your mental image will be almost identical.
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is famous for its black and white candy-stripe spiral daymark, which is instantly recognizable and has become a symbol of the North Carolina Outer Banks.
When completed in 1870 (replacing an earlier 1803 lighthouse), it was a marvel of construction, using over 1.25 million bricks. It is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States, standing 198.5 feet from the base to the tip of its lightning rod.
The Great Cross—St. Augustine, Florida
In St. Augustine, Florida, on the grounds of the Mission Nombre de Dios, stands the Great Cross. Approximately 208 feet in height, this impressive stainless steel cross was built in 1966 to mark the 400th anniversary of the establishment of St. Augustine, the oldest continuously populated city founded by Europeans in the continental United States.
Its height, in contrast to other monuments, was purposefully designed to allow ships approaching Matanzas Bay to see it. It serves as a useful navigational tool for sailors, assisting them in orienting themselves along the coastline, as well as a religious symbol.
The Great Cross is famous for being the “Plymouth Rock” of Catholic America, a record-breaking architectural feat, and a spiritual lighthouse that has guided both the faithful and sailors for nearly 60 years. Made of 70 tons of stainless steel and filled with concrete in the lower 65 feet, it was specifically designed to withstand hurricane-force winds.
Bunker Hill Monument in Boston
The Bunker Hill Monument commemorates the Battle of Bunker Hill, one of the first major engagements of the American Revolutionary War, fought on June 17, 1775. It sits on Breed’s Hill (the site of the main combat) within the Bunker Hill Monument grounds, which are part of the Boston National Historical Park.
It is located in the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Constructed from Quincy granite and finished in 1843, it was one of the earliest significant obelisk monuments in the United States and a significant example of memorial design.
When measured from the base to the very top, the Bunker Hill Monument is 221 feet (67 meters) tall. So, when you need to visualize 200 feet of length, the Bunker Hill Monument is a perfect example because two hundred feet is only 21 feet less than 221 feet. That’s a difference of less than 10%.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco is known for its futuristic, geometric design. The cathedral is designed by Italian engineer Pier Luigi Nervi and architect Pietro Belluschi. The cathedral’s saddle-like structure gives it a bold, sculptural appearance that stands out against the city skyline.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco is famous for being a landmark of bold, controversial modernist architecture that broke completely from traditional church design. It serves as the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco.
With the exception of the 55-foot golden cross that sits atop the building, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco is 190 feet tall from the inside floor to the top. When you include the 55-foot golden cross that crowns the cathedral, the total height reaches about 245 feet. The 55-foot cross atop the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption is made of aluminum that has been covered with a thin layer of gold, giving it its golden appearance.
The San Francisco Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption is officially 190 feet high, 10 feet short of 200 feet. It is slightly shorter than 200 feet—but only a small difference of about 5%.
Cinderella Castle at Disney World
Cinderella Castle is the iconic fairytale castle at the center of Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, located near Orlando. It is the main symbol of Disney World and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the United States.
Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World is 189 feet tall total, barely 11 feet shorter than the 200-foot mark. It is not the tallest structure in all of Walt Disney World. That title belongs to the Expedition Everest roller coaster at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The castle’s design combines Disney’s inventiveness with real-world castles, such as Germany’s Neuschwanstein, to produce a recognizable yet amazing creation. Not only is the castle beautiful to look at, but you can eat at Cinderella’s Royal Table, see breathtaking mosaics, and stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite.
For millions of people, the castle serves as the setting for once-in-a-lifetime events like marriage proposals, first family portraits, and the realization of childhood fantasies.
These are just a few examples, but there are plenty of other landmarks and structures that hover around that 200-foot range. Would any of these be the kind of thing you’re thinking of? Please comment.
