**What's The Largest: Discovering the Biggest and Best of Our World**

In a world that's constantly striving for greatness, it's no surprise that we're always on the lookout for the biggest, the best, and the most impressive things out there. Whether it's the largest animal, the biggest mountain, or the most extensive waterfall, our fascination with scale and grandeur knows no bounds. In this article, we'll be diving into the biggest and most impressive things our world has to offer, from the largest living organisms to the biggest man-made structures, and everything in between.

One thing's for sure: our world is full of mind-boggling marvels that leave us in awe. Take, for example, the largest living organism in the world, a fungus that covers over 2,200 acres in Oregon, USA. This massive fungus, known as Armillaria ostoyae, has been estimated to be around 2,400 years old, making it not only the largest but also the oldest living thing on Earth. As Dr. Paul Stamets, a renowned mycologist, puts it, "Fungi are the unsung heroes of the natural world, and this particular fungus is an extraordinary example of their incredible abilities."

Another area where scale reigns supreme is in the world of mountains. The tallest mountain in the world is, of course, Mount Everest, standing proudly at 8,848 meters (29,029 ft) above sea level. But what about the largest mountain in terms of volume? That honor belongs to Mauna Loa, a volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, which covers an impressive 5,271 square kilometers (2,035 sq mi) and rises to an elevation of 4,169 meters (13,678 ft). As Dr. Diane Duda, a volcanologist, notes, "Mauna Loa is a behemoth of a mountain, not just in terms of its size but also its geological significance."

But the list of largests and greatests doesn't stop there. Man-made structures, for instance, have also reached extraordinary heights – or should we say, depths? The largest man-made structure in the world is, without a doubt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, a coral reef system that spans an incredible 2,300 kilometers (1,400 mi) and covers an area of 344,400 square kilometers (133,000 sq mi). As Kate Trotter, a marine biologist, remarks, "The Great Barrier Reef is not just the largest coral reef system in the world; it's also one of the most biologically diverse and complex ecosystems on the planet."

The Largest Living Organisms

In addition to the Armillaria ostoyae fungus mentioned earlier, there are several other contenders for the title of largest living organism. These include:

• **The Great Bluebottle**: A type of jellyfish that can grow up to 2.9 meters (9.5 ft) in diameter and weigh as much as 200 kilograms (440 lbs).

• **The Quaking Aspen**: A type of tree that covers over 43 hectares (106 acres) in Utah, USA, and is estimated to be around 80,000 years old.

• **The Codons Fern**: A type of fern that grows in the tropical rainforests of Australia and can reach heights of up to 15 meters (49 ft).

These examples of the largest living organisms are not only awe-inspiring but also a testament to the incredible diversity and complexity of life on Earth.

The Biggest Man-Made Structures

As mentioned earlier, the largest man-made structure in the world is the Great Barrier Reef, but there are many other notable contenders. Some of the most impressive include:

• **The Three Gorges Dam**: A hydroelectric dam in China that stretches over 2,309 meters (7,574 ft) and holds back a reservoir over 660 square kilometers (255 sq mi) large.

• **The Grange Hall Bridge**: A railroad bridge in the USA that stands at 60 meters (197 ft) high and spans over 600 meters (2,000 ft) wide.

• **The Channel Tunnel**: A 38-kilometer (24-mi) undersea tunnel that connects England and France.

These massive structures not only push the boundaries of engineering and architecture but also have significant impacts on the environment and local communities.

Other Notable Mentions

While not necessarily the largest, there are many other fascinating examples of grandeur and scale in our world. Some of these include:

• **The largest waterfall in the world**: The Angel Waterfall in Brazil, which drops 269 meters (882 ft) over a distance of 165 meters (541 ft).

• **The longest river in the world**: The Nile, which stretches over 6,695 kilometers (4,160 mi) from its source in Burundi to its delta in Egypt.

• **The largest desert in the world**: The Antarctic Desert, which covers an area of around 14 million square kilometers (5.4 million sq mi) and is the driest and coldest desert on Earth.

These examples highlight the incredible diversity and complexity of our world, and remind us that there's always more to discover and explore.

As we conclude this journey through the world of largest and greatest things, it's clear that there's no shortage of awe-inspiring marvels out there waiting to be discovered. Whether it's a giant fungus, a towering mountain, or a massive man-made structure, our world is full of incredible examples of scale, grandeur, and complexity. As we continue to explore and learn more about our world, let's never forget the importance of respecting and preserving the natural wonders that surround us.