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8 Longest Rivers in The United States

The United States is a wide-reaching, massive country with a variety of landscapes, ecosystems, and terrain. Across them all, many large rivers cut through the land, whether across deep river valleys, flowing through swampy wetlands, or carving through mountainous terrain. In the United States, some of the largest rivers in the world can be found. The country’s sheer size means it has a lot of very long rivers. We made a list of the eight longest rivers in the US in order of length.

8 Longest Rivers in The United States

1. Missouri River

This river is best known for being the longest river in the US. Its total measure is 3,768 km and it is actually the Mississippi River’s tributary. Missouri river drains around 1/6 of the entire continent of North America, and many smaller rivers and tributaries flow into it. Headwaters of the river flow from the Rocky Mountains of Montana, near the continental divide, which is one of the highest points on the continent. From that point, the waters flow through North Dakota, South Dakota, near Iowa and Nebraska border, through Missouri, where they get to the mouth of the river in St. Charles. The river’s national significance cannot be downplayed, as it is the longest and one of the largest rivers in the country. For many years it has served as a source of food via fish and also game (which live among the river banks) as well as means of transportation. The Missouri River is also used as a water source for residents in states all along its borders and for irrigation.

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8 Longest Rivers in The United States

2. Mississippi River

The Mississippi River is the United States’ second-longest river. Its length is about 3,544 km. When merged with Missouri, it creates the world’s fourth longest river system. Mississippi River runs through the state of Mississippi, also the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, and Louisiana. The mouth of the river empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Lake Itasca, in Clearwater County Minnesota, is the main source of the river. The Mississippi River is nearly 18 kilometers across at its widest point, which makes it a truly large river. The river has been crucial throughout history as it contains roughly a quarter of all North American fish species. The Mississippi River also gave rise to both saw and flour milling.

8 Longest Rivers in The United States

3. Yukon River

The Yukon River is the third-longest river in the United States that measures 3,190 km. It starts in the province of British Columbia, Canada, and runs westward through the Yukon Territories, then it continues through the whole state of Alaska, thereby letting it be classified as a U.S. river. The Yukon River flows to the western shore of Alaska and empties into the Bering Sea. Throughout the northern regions of North America, this river was used by Native Americans and early settlers as a means of transportation and was also important for travel and hunting.

8 Longest Rivers in The United States

4. Rio Grande River

This is the 4th longest river in the U.S. The meaning of the name is – “big river” so, according to the name, it is no wonder that it is one of the largest rivers in the United States. Headwaters of the river are found in the Colorado Rockies, in the San Juan Range, from there it flows through New Mexico and creates the border between Texas and Mexico. The Rio Grande river empties into the Gulf of Mexico. At times, there are sections where the river runs dry because it flows through the desert and drought-prone land. As a matter of fact, in 2001 and 2002, the river did not reach the Gulf and dried out fully before it could flow the entire length of its course. Yet, the river’s primary and continued path measures about 2,830 km.

8 Longest Rivers in The United States

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5. Colorado River

The Colorado River is the fifth-longest river in the US and it measures 2,330 km. Headwaters of the river is found in the Rocky Mountain National Park, and their mouth in the Gulf of California. The river flows through many famous lakes and valleys, from Lake Powell to the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and Lake Mead. Running the line between both Arizona and Nevada, and then Arizona and California it forms a border between states. For major cities such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego, Phoenix, and Tucson the Colorado River is a primary source of water. The majority of mentioned cities have aqueducts that run water from the river system.

8 Longest Rivers in The United States

6. Arkansas River

The 6th longest river is the Arkansas River, which flows mostly through Arkansas. The Arkansas River also commences in the Colorado mountains and flows eastward through Kansas, part of Oklahoma, and into Arkansas. Altogether, the river covers a distance of about 2,322 km. The Mississippi River is in fact the mouth of the Arkansas River, and it is assumed to be a tributary of the Mississippi-Missouri.

8 Longest Rivers in The United States

7. Columbia River

One of the longest rivers in the United States is the Columbia River. Its approximate length is 2,000 km. This river has a huge volume. In North America, this river is the second-largest. The most volume flows to the Pacific Ocean. This volume is used to power half of all the hydroelectricity in the US, through 11 different dams of the US.

8 Longest Rivers in The United States

8. Red River

This river has a length of about 1,811 km. Atchafalaya River is the mouth of the Red River. From there it runs through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. The Red River is special for two reasons: 1) it gets its red name due to the presence of silt and sand-like debris in the river that is formed by a rust-colored sedimentary rock. 2) it is very saline, meaning it is saltwater, not freshwater. An increase in its overall salinity is caused by salt deposits from what was likely a former ancient sea seeping into the tributaries which flow into the Red River.

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6 Longest Roads In The World

6 longest roads in the world

One of the highlights of any great road trip inarguably is driving down endless roads. Below you will find out which are the longest roads in the world. These roads are:

– Pan – American Highway

– Highway 1 – Australia

– Trans-Canada Highway

– Golden Quadrilateral Highway

– US Route 20

– US Route 6

6 Longest Roads In The World

1) Pan-American Highway

Length in total: 30 000 miles/48 000 km

Point of departure: Prudhoe Bay, Alaska

Arrival destination: Ushuaia, Argentina

Duration of road trip: Approximately 6.5 months

On the bucket list of travelers around the globe is driving across the Pan-American Highway. Many believe the Pan-American Highway to be the greatest road trip in the world. While we all have various visions of the ideal road trip, there is no doubt that this is the longest one of them all.

The Pan-American Highway is the longest “motorable road” in the world reported by Guinness World Records.

The whole journey from the northern tip of Alaska all the way to the south of Argentina in total spans nearly 30 000 miles (50 000 kilometers). Those individuals who decide to complete this captivating journey will pass through 14 countries on 2 continents and also 6 different time zones before reaching the point of destination. Though the Panamericana is thought to be the longest road in the world, not all of it can be traveled by car. In fact, nearly in the middle of the journey, the road disconnects for about 100 miles.

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Darien Gap

the Darien Gap is a 100-mile stretch of remote wilderness in Panama and Colombia. The Pan-American Highway does not go through this jungle. Rather, the road cuts off in Yaviza in Panama and continues in Turbo, Colombia. There have been projects to build a road through the ill-famed Darien Gap, although with no success, however.

Even though it’s only around 60 miles long the Darien Gap is widely considered one of the most remote locations on the planet. This stretch of vibrant jungle represents one of the most unsafe places in the world, thanks to both dangerous wildlife and also to criminal activity.

The jungle is the only way to cross from Colombia to Panama by land, that is why Darien Gap has become the road of choice for unlawful immigrants who want to get to North America. Because of the lack of law enforcement, the spot is ideal for cartels and other criminals, so, choosing this road you end up in a quite hazardous area.

The scary Darien Gap does not mean that finishing this road trip is impossible. As a matter of fact, most travelers prefer to ship their vehicles over from Panama City to Cartagena and continue the road trip from there. In the past, the ferry was functioning, though it is not in service anymore.

 It is debatable whether the Pan-American Highway can really be considered the world’s longest road as the two roads aren’t connected to one other.

Crossing the Pan-American Highway would certainly make for a long adventure. Most travelers need at least six months to complete this journey.

6 Longest Roads In The World

2) Highway 1 – Australia

Length in total: 9 000 miles/14 500 km/

Point of departure: Sydney, NSW, Australia

Arrival destination: Sydney, NSW, Australia

Duration of road trip: Approximately 2.5 months

Australia’s Highway 1 takes the trophy as the world’s longest national highway in addition to being the second-longest roadway in the world. Driving down this giant 9000 miles (14 500 km) loop is one of the best ways to see the best of what Australia has got to offer.

This highway will take you through all the states of the country. You can start the journey in Sydney and proceed south towards Melbourne. This piece of the journey alone already makes for a great road trip idea.

A part of Highway 1 south of Sydney is named the Grand Pacific Drive. The 140 scenic coastal route is thought to be one of the most picturesque driving roads in the world.

You can also bypass Melbourne and head down the Great Ocean Road, which is yet another panoramic coastal drive. All things considered, there is an abundance of attractions worth visiting along the way.

The advised duration for this road trip is no less than two months. That way you can make the most out of each stop along the way, and will not have a feeling that you’ve rushed through too fast.

3) Trans-Canada Highway

Length in total: 5 000 miles/7 000 km

Point of departure: Victoria, British Columbia

Arrival destination: St. John, Newfoundland, and Labrador

Duration of road trip: Approximately 2.5 weeks

Trans-Canada Highway is considered the longest national highway on Earth, though it is not the longest road on the planet.

The Trans-Canada Highway will take travelers who decide to drive across this lengthy scenic route in for a real treat, the highway will take them right through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. By all means, try to plan stops in some of the country’s mesmerizing National Parks, Glacier, and Gros Morne, to name a few.

Note that you will require at least two weeks on the road to finish this road trip across one of the longest roads in the world. As you will certainly find yourself stopping to take in the views rather often try to accommodate some extra time for stops at scenic overlooks.

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4) Golden Quadrilateral Highway – India

Length in total: 3 600 miles/6 000 km

Point of departure: Delhi, India

Arrival destination: Delhi, India

Duration of road trip: Approximately 2.5 weeks

This Highway is the second-longest road in all of Asia. This road is essential for India, as it connects the four major cities in the country such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.

Travelers should think twice before deciding to drive through Delhi and Mumbai, two of the largest cities in India. Each of these cities’ populations is around 20 million people, so you can imagine what rush hour traffic must look like in such a huge city.

However, driving down the Golden Quadrilateral Highway will definitely be an extraordinary adventure. Travelers will have a chance to visit landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, and also the chance to see some of the largest urban populations in the world. Definitely try to stop by Belgaum and admire some of the stunning waterfalls around the area.

6 Longest Roads In The World

5) US Route 20

Length in total: 3 400 miles/5 500 km

Point of departure: Newport, Oregon

Arrival destination: Boston, Massachusetts

Duration of road trip: Approximately 2.5 weeks

US Route 20 goes along just one single highway. This highway is perfect for travelers who looks for an alternative cross-country road trip.

This 3400 miles (5500-kilometer) long road stretches over the East Coast, from Newport in Oregon all the way to Boston. Unarguably, of all the attractions that you’ll see along the way, a highlight is the Yellowstone National Park.

It is recommended to spend at least two weeks on the road to make the most out of each destination, as this is one of the longest roads in the world. GPS navigation won’t be required for this road trip. You will have to follow the same road from start to finish.

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6) US Route 6

Length in total: 3 100 miles/5 100 km

Point of departure: Long Beach, California

Arrival destination: Provincetown, Massachusetts

Duration of road trip: Approximately 2.5 weeks

US Route 6 is one of the best cross-country road trips apart from being one of the longest roads in the world. It is the best way to explore the United States by traversing the entire country.

It is recommended to spend at least two weeks on the road to complete this road trip, as covering this much distance can be challenging. You should get on the US Route 6 in the small town of Provincetown, Massachusets. Before reaching the destination in Long Beach, California, you will pass through nearly 15 states in total.

With Utah’s spectacular natural beauty, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Nevada, with its hidden gems, as well as myriad other points of interest along the way, this really makes one of the best road trips you could ever plan.

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Advantages of Wooden Furniture

Most of us, when furnishing our living spaces, want a home that reflects our personality, and is comfortable and stylish. That is the reason why we want to discuss here the advantages of wooden furniture. As you are already aware, when it comes to furniture there is a massive choice, including rattan, stainless steel, veneered chipboard or plywood, and glass, no doubt that natural wood is a great option; but what reasons can we put forward for making such an assertion? Of course, it is possible to make a good case for other materials as well. Let us look at the major reasons for preferring wood for our furniture.

Advantages of Wooden Furniture

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Durability

Two types of woods exist softwood and hardwood. Softwoods include cedar and pine and are basically of a lighter color, when exposed to light it becomes darker and richer in tone. While softwoods are at risk of marking and scratches, this can add to the character of the piece of furniture and can give an organic warmth to your décor.

Hardwoods include rosewood, oak, cherry, mahogany, and teak. Hardwood trees tend to be more expensive because they grow slowly. It is very hardwearing. It keeps its rich appearance indefinitely. Hardwood is also usually darker. Furniture constructed from these woods is incredibly durable and last for many generations.

Appearance

Each element of wood furniture is exceptional; Because of the grain of the wood when you purchase a dining set the table and chairs will all have their own charm. Although all are cut in the same direction, there will be slight contrasts. As a tabletop, beautifully grained wood, like oak, will look gorgeous. Oak comes in red and white varieties; red, as the name suggests, has a reddish tinge and white is greyish brown.

Sustainability

Be certain to buy furniture that is made of sustainable wood. It means that trees are planted to replace those that have been cut down. It is necessary because some woods like mahogany, have become threatened by over-harvesting. With wood, you can choose an ecologically proper method of furnishing your home or office but with other materials, you don’t usually have an option.

Advantages of Wooden Furniture

Easy maintenance

It is easy to care for Wood. Systematic dusting with a soft cloth [old tee shirts are perfect] will keep it looking great. You can also purchase treated clothes for your wooden furniture. Polished finish wood benefits from natural wax polish in preference to silicone sprays. It is best not to clean, especially untreated wood with water. The reason is that it is very absorbent. Yet, for sticky spills, a soft cloth submerged in detergent diluted with water may be used. Mop it off fast and then dry thoroughly. Iron furniture, on the other hand, over a period of time is prone to rusting even if it has been painted.

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Suitable For All Areas In The Home

Probably your living area will have a TV stand, bookshelves, display cabinets, a fire surround [whether your fire is solid fuel, electric, or gas], and many other things. Your bedroom will definitely have a bed, and perhaps a wardrobe and dressing table, while your bathroom may have a small or large cabinet for toiletries or towels. There are some outstanding pieces of wooden furniture even for your backyard and patio. Actually, there are many DIY projects on how to assemble a picnic table for your backyard.

Versatility

There will always be wooden furniture to harmonize, whether your home is traditional, eclectic, modern, or has a rustic theme. Many people love a traditional dining room with a period-style table and chairs matched with the accessories. Cherrywood with a sideboard is ideal for this. Mentioned hardwood deepens in color as it ages. Pine gives a rustic feel to a modern kitchen, while it looks great in ash. Having a really eclectic bedroom with all your favorite things around you is really fun, you can mix and match wooden furniture of your choice and mix and match styles.

Great For The Outdoors

Nothing is quite like spending lazy days in your own garden in Summer. Garden furniture has become very popular over the last few decades and is available in all materials. Metal, plastic, and rattan are all favorites, but nothing can beat wood for strength and beauty.

Strength

Wood was one of the few things available for the manufacture of domestic furniture throughout the centuries. Eventually, other materials became available as well. The industrial revolution brought steel and iron, while plastics were produced in the 20th century. Naturally, people were willing to embrace what was assumed to progress. Nevertheless, it was not too long before the beauty and strength of wood were appreciated again, and nowadays, the assortment of woods makes it the material of preference for millions. For instance, people install teakwood floors, because teakwood is termite resistant.

Choice

Wood cannot be beaten for strength and appearance. It lends itself to both modern and traditional designs. From Arne Jacobsen to Thomas Chippendale furniture designers have been inspired by wood. They have carved it, engraved it, and bent it, enriching the world with their excellent and inspiring designs.

Advantages of Wooden Furniture

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Good Value

When you purchase wooden furniture, no matter what you choose to spend you are getting a good deal. Nothing can touch the strength and beauty of natural wood. It has richness and an inner glow that delights the eye. There are many shops that offer only wooden furniture and have lots of discounts as well.

The abovementioned factors demonstrate the advantages of wooden furniture. Nothing can be better than beautiful natural wooden furniture.

How To Measure Ring Size at Home

Finding out your, or your loved one’s ring size is easier than you assume! There are plenty of DIY tricks and tools that you can use.

How To Measure Ring Size at Home?

There are a couple of methods that you can use to find out how to measure her ring size at home.

– Wrap a length of dental floss or string around your finger, and mark where the end meets

– Wrap a thin part of paper around your finger, and mark where the end meets

– Get another ring you have and measure it with the jewels mandril

– Wrap a tape measure around your finger and write down the length

How To Measure Ring Size at Home

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How To Measure Ring Size In mm and cm?

If you’re measuring in millimeters (mm) and you need to convert mm to inches, use this simple formula: 1 inch = 25.4 mm. If you want to measure in centimeters (cm), then simply divide the value in mm by 10.

Measuring Ring Size With A Ruler

Using a ruler to measure your ring size isn’t the most useful, but it’s not impossible. Measuring ring size with a ruler includes selecting a starting point on your finger as point 0. Next swivel the ruler around your finger, never let the ruler move away from your skin. Once you have spun the ruler fully around your finger back to point 0, you will have your measurement.

Measure Ring Size With String

Using a string is one of the more easy techniques. Grab the string and wrap it around your finger just where the ring is going to lay. Straighten out the string and put it next to a ruler. If you’re using inches, refer to the conversion formula mentioned above.

How To Know Ring Size With Tape Measure?

This kind of measure is relatively similar to the string method but omits the step of having to measure. Tape measures are much thicker than string, so you will have to be very attentive towards placement when measuring. The point in both is not to be too loose or too tight. The string must be firmly against your skin, but not digging into it. This creates the comfiest size.

Measuring Ring Size From A Ring Without Her Knowing

If you are wondering how to measure ring size from a ring, there are two unfailing ways to get her ring size without her knowing. In both matters, take note of a ring she loves to wear that appears to fit comfortably. When she takes it off, take a bar of soap [even playdough if it’s more suitable] and press the ring into it to make a mold. If you don’t have that much time, option B is to put it onto your pinky finger and make a mark where it fits.

Measuring Ring Size for A Silicone Ring

You can use the same methods and measurements. Yet, compared to a typical metal ring, silicone acts differently. There’s a little bit more flexibility, and the material slightly stretches. It’s best, particularly if you are in between sizes, to air on the smaller size to take advantage of silicon’s flexing and stretching nature.

How To Measure Ring Size at Home

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How To Measure Man’s Ring Size?

Measuring way to a man’s ring size doesn’t differ from measuring a woman’s finger. The one difference is that men’s rings are usually a little broader and a little thicker. The dimensions of the ring make it feel tighter, so moving a half-size-up is usually needed for comfort maximization.

How To Do Ring Size Without Taking Measurements?

If you are organizing a wedding and purchasing a ring for someone as a surprise and all else fails, hold her hand, make a mental note about her finger size (how thick is her finger) in your hand, and try to find something around the house that is roughly the same size so that the jeweler has a reference point. If you are trying to guess, it is always better to go with a larger size. This is much easier to resize a larger ring than a ring that is too small.

Whether you are measuring your finger or picking an engagement ring for a stunner proposal, the point of taking a measurement is so that the ring feels as comfortable on the finger as possible.

When taking your measurements, it is best to bear in mind how much fingers can change. When they are warm they become thicker  – so the time of day and seasons play a role, and the ring also has to get past the knuckle which is usually wider than where they sit.

In order to get the best results, measure your finger at the end of the day and leave a little space for the knuckle.

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Longest Bridges In The US

Since time immemorial humans have used bridges for moving from one location to another. So, we use bridges to cross water routes and valleys. As a result, we shorten distances and reduce the time needed for traveling. US bridges vary in length and architecture and they are constructed with different materials.

Longest Bridges In The US

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway consists of two parallel bridges. They cross Lake Pontchartrain in the southern part of the US state of Louisiana. Its length equals 126,122 feet. The Causeway’s southern terminus can be found in one of the suburbs of New Orleans, Metairie. Whereas, the Northern terminus is located in Mandeville, Louisiana. Since 1969 Guinness Book of Records has listed Lake Pontchartrain Causeway as the world’s longest bridge over water. However, after China opened Jiaozhou Bay Bridge in 2011, Guinness established two categories for bridges over water: aggregate and continuous lengths over water. Therefore, the Causeway is the world’s longest continuous bridge over water.

Longest Bridges In The US

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Manchac Swamp Bridge

The Manchac Swamp Bridge is constructed using a concrete twin trestle structure. It is located in Louisiana and the bridge was opened in 1979. And it is 120,440 feet in length. In other words, this bridge is among the longest bridges over water. Also, it is the second-longest in the US. Furthermore, some sources claim that the Manchac Swamp Bridge is the world’s longest toll-free road bridge. It cost $7 million per mile to construct the bridge.

Longest Bridges In The US

Atchafalaya Basin Bridge

Another longest bridge in the US is the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. It was opened in 1973 and is located in the US state of Louisiana. More specifically, between Lafayette and Baron Rouge. The bridge pairs parallel bridges which are also referred to as the Louisiana Airborne Memorial Bridge. Being the third-longest bridge in the US, the length of the bridge equals 96,100 feet. Also, it is the second-longest bridge on the interstate system. Due to being quite narrow and lacking shoulders accidents near the two river crossings are frequent.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel’s (CBBT) length equals 79,200 feet. CBBT is a bridge-tunnel crossing and is located in the US state of Virginia at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. These tunnels emerge on man-made islands. The bridge connects Virginia Beach to Northampton County. The tunnel was opened on April 15th, 1964. There can be found only ten bridge-tunnel systems in the world. CBBT is one of them. And, three of those are located in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

I-10 Bonnet Carré Spillway Bridge

The Bonnet Carre Spillway was built after the destructive flood in 1927 that damaged about 27,000 square miles of the Lower Mississippi Valley. By diverting extra water from the Mississippi River into Lake Pontchartrain the Spillway prevents further flooding and damage. The bridge departs from the top of the Spillway dike and leads Interstate 10 over the water.

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Seven Mile Bridge

Seven Mile Bridge is found within the Florida Keys and links Little Duck Key to its northern neighbor, Knight’s Key. Knight’s Key is part of Marathon, Florida. The construction of the bridge consists of an arc, which is located towards its middle area. So, to let boats pass beneath it, the arc features a 65-foot clearance. The history of the bridge leads us to Henry Morrison Flagler, who took part in starting Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company. He wanted to expand American trade into the Caribbean.

General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge

General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge is unofficially known as the “Dolly Parton Bridge”. The bridge is easily noticeable thanks to its weathering steel arches. It acquired its nickname “Dolly Parton Bridge” because of the red lights on the arches that are lined up in such a manner that brings her figure to mind. Unfortunately, in 2014 happened a crash that involved two large semi-trucks. As a result, the bridge was damaged by the heat. Thus, the bridge had to temporarily close down.

Frank Davis “Naturally N’Awlins” Memorial Bridge

The Frank Davis “Naturally N’Awlins” Memorial bridge consists of two parallel bridges. Both of them cross the famous Lake Pontchartrain. To make material transportation easier, the bridge was mostly constructed and assembled on nearby barges. Each span opened in 1965 but after Hurricane Katrina, both required massive reconstruction.

Richmond-San Rafael Bridge

The Richmond-San Rafael Bridge is one of the longest bridges in the US. Moreover, it forms an important connection between the east and northern parts of the San Francisco Bay area. Upon opening its main function was substituting the services of the now-defunct Richmond-San Rafael Ferry Company.

Other Long Bridges In The US

There are is no standard way that is used for measuring the total length of a bridge. However, usually, they are measured from shoreline to shoreline. Some are measured from the end of the exit ramp to the start of the entrance ramp. Whereas, others are measured by the length of the total construction. 14 of the top 15 longest bridges in North America are located in the US. And, the top three longest bridges of North America are all located in the US state of Louisiana.

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Advantages Of Converting Into The Metric System

converting-into-the-metric-system

While in the United States we continue to use the United States Customary System, you probably already heard of the metric system. This is a measurement system that is used in most other countries in the world and it is far easier to understand and use. Not so long ago, the US government considered the hypothesis of changing to the metric system as well. However, they were afraid to proceed because North Americans are very used to their own measuring system. 

converting-into-the-metric-system

Nevertheless, it pays off to see the advantages of converting into the metric system. 

Advantages Of Converting Into The Metric System

#1: No Conversions:

One of the main advantages of converting into the metric system is the fact that you will stop making conversions. Ultimately, there is only one unit for each type of measurement and students don’t need to memorize any factors. Just take the meter (m), for example. This is the unit of length in the metric system and while numerical prefixes may be attached, but they do not form a separate unit. 

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#2: The Units Are Coherent:

When you’re looking at the metric system, you will easily see that its units derive as the simple algebraic quotients or products of a few independent base units, using the same equation as the quantity being measured. There are no numerical definitions or constants for students to memorize. 

#3: There Are No Fractions:

There-Are-No-Fractions

One of the things that make conversions within the United States Customary System so complicated is the fact that they may use fractions. However, this won’t ever happen when you’re using the metric system. This system only uses decimals. 

This is how you convert kilowatts into horsepower.

#4: Few Units:

Another advantage of converting into the metric system is the fact that the metric system only has around 30 individually-named units. Besides, most of them are limited to more specific areas or fields. So, students won’t have any hard time learning the most common units. 

#5: Easy To Write And Say:

Easy-To-Write-And-Say-1

Generally speaking, quantities are much easier to express using the metric system than in other units. For example, 500 watts (500 W) is much simpler than the many confusing, equivalent, non-SI expressions of power such as 1700 British thermal units per hour (1700 Btu/h), 10 300 large Calories per day (10 300 Cal/d), 120 thermochemical calories per second (120 calth/s), 22 000 feet pounds force per minute (22 000 ft·lbf/min), or 0.142 commercial refrigeration tons.

Check out how you can easily convert Joule to BTU.

#6: It Uses Decimal Multiples:

It-Uses-Decimal-Multiples

The metric system uses a series of prefixes for all units that represent a change of a factor of 10. For example, “kilo” means 1,000, so one kilogram equals 1,000 grams. The metric system does not require you to memorize different conversion factors, such as 4 quarts to a gallon or 12 inches to a foot.

Learn more about the International System of Units (SI).

Bottom Line

As you can see, converting into the metric system could bring a lot of advantages to the United States. While there was the need of an adaption period, the truth is that the metric system is much simpler to use. 

How We Measure Temperature

measuring-temperature-1

When you think about measuring temperature, you know that it is something that you can do quickly. However, measuring temperature hasn’t always been that easy or fast. 

One of the things that you know is that we have always seen temperature changes. After all, we come from winter where it snows and rains to the summer where the sun dries everything. However, if you think about it, you’re not measuring temperature; you’re just observing it. You can’t tell simply by looking that water freezes at 0 °C, or that it boils at 100 °C. All we learn from observation is that heat and cold do something to the water, or that water behaves differently when it is heated or cooled.

measuring-temperature-1

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Back in the 16th and 17th centuries, many different scientists improved both their observations and experiments to try to define the coldness or hotness in the air. And at this time, they built thermoscopes which were basic measuring tools that used the expansion and contraction of air and water when heated and cooled. While the concept was revolutionary, thermoscopes didn’t include a numeric scale. 

thermoscopes

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The reality is that the thermoscope was, most of the times, a simple tube of gas over liquid. But thermoscopes also served as barometers that measure pressure. 

The 18th century brought a lot of changes to thermometers and all these changes thanks to names like Daniel Fahrenheit, Anders Celsius, and Isaac Newton. 

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Here are some of the breakthroughs during this period:

  • Isaac Newton proposed a thermometer with a scale of 12 degrees between the freezing and boiling points of water.

Isaac-Newton-1
  • Fahrenheit was working with tubes filled with mercury, which has a very high coefficient of thermal expansion. This, combined with the quality and accuracy of Fahrenheit’s work, led to much greater sensitivity, and his thermometer was standardized against a brine solution and universally adopted, with the Fahrenheit scale being named in his honor.
  • Anders Celsius proposed a 100 degrees scale for the difference between freezing and boiling of water, and after a few minor adjustments, the Celsius, or centigrade system was also widely adopted.

This is how you convert pascals to bars.

The Evolution To Today’s Thermometers

Thermometers didn’t stop here and they saw a lot of advances throughout the years. And these advancements are now being used by chemistry and medicine. The reality is that early thermometers weren’t able to either record or hold the temperature they were measuring. An interesting fact that you may not know is that if you removed the thermometer from the substance being measured, its reading would change. So, scientists had to come out with a solution to this problem and they managed to invent new thermometers that would maintain their reading, at least for a limited period of time. This would not only reduce measurement errors but also make it easier to record the temperature. 

Learn more about temperature measurement. 

dial-thermometers

At this point, dial thermometers using bimetallic strips were also developed. The bimetallic strips are made from two dissimilar metals bonded together, with each metal having a different coefficient of thermal expansion. Upon heating or cooling, the two metals expand or contract at different rates, causing a bending or curvature to appear in the strip. This bending is useful as a transducer for the temperature reading; it can control a thermostatted circuit or drive a simple dial thermometer.

Understanding The Metric System

metric-system

In the United States, as you probably already know, we use two different measurement systems – the United States Customary Measurement System and the Metric System. These are the systems that are used when you need to measure different amounts. However, the metric system tends to be mostly used (in the United States) in medical, scientific, and technical fields. 

Take a look at the different conversion tools we have for you.

metric-system

One of the things that you may not know about the metric system is that this is the main measurement system used in most other countries. So, when you travel abroad, you will see that products are sold using different measurement units. Even the road signs display different units of measurement. 

Units such as milligram, liter, or kilometer are used to measure the weight, the volume, or the length, respectively. And these are all part of the metric system. 

One of the main differences between the United States Customary Measurement System and the Metric System is the fact that this last one is based on 10s making it very easy and simple to understand. For example, a centigram is 10 times larger than a milligram and a liter is 10 times larger than a deciliter. On the other hand, if you think of the United States Customary Measurement System, you don’t have this relationship between the different units of measurement. For example, there are 5,280 feet in a mile, 3 feet in a yard, and 12 inches in a foot. 

Learn to convert gallon to m^3.

Understanding The Metric System

As we already mentioned above, the metric system uses units such as gram, liter, and meter that measure the mass, liquid volume, and length respectively. If you look at the US Customary System, you have the ounces, quarts, and feet to measure these. 

In addition, and as we already told you, the metric system is based on 10s. If you look at the different measures for length, for example, you have the kilometer, meter, decimeter, centimeter, and millimeter. If you look at all these units, you see that they all share the word “meter”.

Looking to convert gallons to cubic meters?

The main idea behind the metric system that is important to keep in mind is that the units within the system get larger or smaller by a power of 10. This means that 1 meter is 100 times larger than a centimeter. If you look at the kilogram, you can say that it is 1,000 times heavier than one gram. 

Discover how to convert gallon to m^3. 

Length, Mass, And Volume Units

On the table below, you can see the basic units of the metric system:

Length-Mass-And-Volume-Units-1

Notice that the basic unit of length in the metric system is the meter. Just to give you an idea, the meter is slightly larger than a yardstick, or just over three feet. The gram is the basic metric unit of mass and a regular-sized paperclip has a mass of about 1 gram. In what concerns the volume, the basic metric unit is the liter and it is slightly larger than a quart. 

Discover more about the metric system.

In case you need to make any conversions between the United States Customary Measurement System and the Metric System, then you can take a look at the following table:

conversions-between-the-United-States-Customary-Measurement-System-and-the-Metric-System

How To Calculate Cubic Meters

calculate-cubic-meters

While there are many different units of measurement, one that we believe students tend to struggle more with is the cubic meter. Many people have difficulties determining the physical value or quantity this represents. 

Check out all our free conversion tools.

calculate-cubic-meters

The truth is that even when you know that cubic meters (m^3) represent a unit of volume in physical science, you may have a hard time imagining a cubic meter. But this will stop today as soon as we show you how to calculate cubic meters. 

The Metric System

The metric system which is also known as the SI or international system of units started back in the 18th century and it was implemented in Europe in the 1790s. 

The-Metric-System

The main purpose of the creation of this new measurement system was related to the inconvenience and imprecision of the feet and inch units. In case you don’t know, these were based on absolute standards. So, the meter was picked to represent one-ten millionth of the presumed distance from the equator to the North Pole, and the kilogram was selected to be the mass of one liter of water. A liter in turn was defined as the volume occupied by a cube-shaped space 0.1 m (10 centimeters, or cm) on a side or the equivalent volume in any other solid shape.

These definitions have been modified from their original values only to reflect the advent of increasingly precise measuring tools over time.

Discover how to convert gallon to m^3.

How To Calculate Cubic Meters

How-To-Calculate-Cubic-Meters

Now that you have a better grasp of the international system of measurement, it is time to take a closer look at cubic meters. 

Simply put, a cubic meter is simply the space in the shape of a cube that has 1 m on a side or the equivalent. For example, if you think about a rectangular box that has a length of 2 m and a width of 1 m, and a height of 0.5 m, you would then have a volume of 1m^3 since 1 × 2 × 0.5 = 1.

The cubic meter is equivalent to 35.315 cubic feet (ft^3). 

Learn more about how to convert volume.

Some Practical Examples

Let’s say that you have an aquarium tank that has 20 m long, 20 m wide, and 10 m deep and you want to find its volume. 

The reality is that the calculation is pretty straightforward:

20 × 20 × 10 = 4,000 m^3. 

Looking to know more about the gallon to m^3 conversion?

One of the most interesting aspects of this is the sheer mass of the water inside. If you remember, 1 l of water has a mass of 1 kilogram. So, a cubic meter holds 1,000 kg of water since it is 10 times larger on a side than a liter. 

Learn more about the cubic meter.

Here’s another example of how to calculate cubic meters.

Imagine that you have a giant ball that is 2 m wide. And you want to inflate it. How much air can it hold?

As you can easily understand, you will need to calculate its volume. 

In case you don’t remember, the volume is given by the formula:

V = 4πr3. 

Since the ball is 2 m wide, this means that its diameter is 2 m. Therefore, the radius is 1 m.

So, you can now use the formula to determine the volume:

V = (4π)(1)2 

V = 4π m^3

V = 12.57 m^3.

Imperial And U.S. Systems Of Measurement

Imperial-and-U.S.-Systems-of-Measurement

As you probably already know, there are two main systems of measurement that are used all over the world: Imperial and U.S. Systems of Measurement. 

Check out our conversion calculators.

Imperial and U.S. Systems of Measurement

The reality is that at the moment, the United States is almost the only country using the U.S. System of measurement. Canada was one of the countries that also used to use this measurement system. However, in 1971, the S.I. or the metric system was the one adopted by this country. As you can imagine, this transition wasn’t easy and it still isn’t. The reality is that there is the fact that people were used to using one measuring system and they need to start using a different one but there is also the fact that Canada continues to have strong ties to the United States. This means that many Canadian producers, especially the ones who live near the border with the United States, continue to use the U.S. Measuring system or both. In fact, most Canadian packages include both Canadian and U.S. or Imperial measurements on the label, and many suppliers still quote prices in cost per pound instead of cost per kilogram.

As you can see, changing from one measuring system to a different one is not easy. 

U.S. System of measurement

Looking to convert cubic yards to cubic feet?

Here are the most commonly used units of measurement in the U.S. and Imperial Systems:

Type of MeasurementUnitAbbreviation
WeightPoundlb or #
WeightOunceoz
VolumeGallongal
VolumeQuartqt
VolumePintpt
VolumeCupc
VolumeFluid Ouncefl oz or oz
VolumeTablespoonTbsp
VolumeTeaspoonTsp
LengthMilem
LengthYardyd
LengthFootft or ‘
LenghtInchin or ”

Discover how to convert gigabytes to megabytes.

The Differences Between Imperial And U.S. Systems of Measurement

Imperial and Metric measurement systems

One of the things that you may not know about the Imperial and U.S. Systems of Measurement is the fact that the difference only resides in the volume measurements. The truth is that the number of ounces in pints, quarts, and gallons are all larger in the imperial system, but the size of one fluid ounce is also different. Here are some of these examples: 

Unit of MeasurementImperial SystemMetric EquivalentU.S. SystemMetric Equivalent
1 ounce1 (fluid) oz28.41 ml1 (fluid) oz29.57 ml
1 gill5 (fluid) oz142.07 mlNot commonly usedNA
1 cupNot commonly usedNA8 (fluid) oz236.59 ml
1 pint20 (fluid) oz568.26 ml16 (fluid) oz473.18 ml
1 quart40 (fluid) oz1.137 l32 (fluid) oz946.36 ml
1 gallon160 (fluid) oz4.546 l128 (fluid) oz3.785 l

Looking to convert joule to BTU?

So, when you are using a recipe written in cups and ounces, you should always check the source of your recipe to determine if it has been written using the U.S. or imperial system of measurement. The difference in volume measurements can be quite noticeable when producing large quantities.

If the recipe is from the United States you should use U.S. measurements for the conversion; if the recipe originated in the United Kingdom, Australia, or any other country that was once part of the British Empire, use the imperial system for the conversion.