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Not planned a holiday yet? These amazing destinations have all broken Guinness World Records

Smallest country. Narrowest street. Tallest hotel… Biggest disco ball.

THIS YEAR MARKS the 60th anniversary of the Guinness World Records.

For years, the company has showcased amazing and quirky records set by people and places from around the world.

From the world’s narrowest street to the highest outdoor elevator – here are 20 fascinating world records set by cities, countries, and states around the world.

q LARGEST RAILWAY STATION BY NUMBER OF PLATFORMS: New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, constructed from 1903 to 1913, has a total of 44 platforms. According to Guinness World Records, besides its 41 tracks upstairs and 26 downstairs, it also has a secret unused platform below the Waldorf Astoria. Flickr / Christian Ronnel Flickr / Christian Ronnel / Christian Ronnel

w WORLD'S NARROWEST STREET: You’d barely be able to slip through Germany's Spreuerhofstrasse street. Located in Reutlingen, the thin street is only a foot wide at its narrowest point. Flickr / PROKathrin Mezger Flickr / PROKathrin Mezger / PROKathrin Mezger

r FASTEST INTERNET CONNECTION: South Korea has held the record for the fastest broadband service since 2011, having an average download output of 33.5 megabits per second and an average upload speed of 17 megabits per second. Flickr / Abri le Roux Flickr / Abri le Roux / Abri le Roux

a COLDEST INHABITED PLACE: In the Siberian village of Oymyakon, Russia, average temperatures hover around -55°C in the winter and the village has seen drastic numbers as low as -67°C back in 1933. Flickr / Maarten Takens Flickr / Maarten Takens / Maarten Takens

s OLDEST NATIONAL PARK: America’s Yellowstone National Park was the first place to be given the title of a national park back in 1872 by President Ulysses S Grant. Today, the park is home to stunning sites like the multi-coloured Grand Prismatic Spring. Shutterstock Shutterstock

 

z OLDEST CANDY SHOP: Head to the Oldest Sweet Shop in England, located in Yorkshire, for a selection of candies from the world’s oldest shop. It opened in 1827 and serves retro candies like Sherbet Fountains and Parma Violets. Flickr / Brian Snelson Flickr / Brian Snelson / Brian Snelson

s2 LARGEST INDOOR SKI RESORT: The world’s largest indoor ski resort is located in the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, where skiers can take advantage of the year-round snow and over 1,000 feet of runs, tube slides that let you toboggan through the snow, and a Freestyle Zone for practicing jumps. Fabio Achilli / Flickr Fabio Achilli / Flickr / Flickr

lift TALLEST OUTDOOR ELEVATOR: Visitors can admire the stunning formations of China’s Zhangjiajie National Forest Park by ascending the 1,070 foot-high Bailong Elevator. Sheila Simkin / Youtube Sheila Simkin / Youtube / Youtube

fr LARGEST DISCO BALL: Last year, Bestival introduced the world’s biggest disco ball—measuring 33 feet and 10 inches in diameter—to cheering crowds at the Desert Island Disco in Robin Hill County Park, Isle of Wight, England. AP / Jim Ross AP / Jim Ross / Jim Ross

23 OLDEST OPERATING AMUSEMENT PARK: Denmark’s Bakken, located in Klampenborg, opened in 1583 and continues to operate today. According to the park, you’ll find over 150 attractions which include one of the oldest wooden roller coasters from 1932. Flickr / bjaglin Flickr / bjaglin / bjaglin

v SMALLEST COUNTRY: The State of the Vatican City, or Holy See, is considered its own country and takes the title for the world’s smallest at an area of 0.17 square miles. Shutterstock / saras66 Shutterstock / saras66 / saras66

r4 LARGEST CAVE CASTLE: The Predjama Castle, located near Postojna, Slovenia, resides in the entrance of a cave system that is located halfway up a 400-foot cliff face. The castle was originally built in the 13th century and is a beloved attraction for visitors of the country. Shutterstock / Sergey Novikov Shutterstock / Sergey Novikov / Sergey Novikov

vr MOST ACTIVE VOLCANO: Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has been erupting continually since 1983. Its massive eruptions have made it a must-see attraction when visiting the state. AP / Leigh Hilbert AP / Leigh Hilbert / Leigh Hilbert

hot TALLEST HOTEL: Dubai’s JW Marriott Marquis Hotel is 1,165.84 feet high and has two towers that reach 72 floors. There’s a lounge bar on its top floor where you can see skyscraping views of the city. Marriott Marriott

 for Business Insider

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