Currently under construction in Encantado, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, this statue of Jesus Christ will be larger than Rio's famed Christ the Redeemer. Once finished, the statue, called Christ the Protector of Encantado, will be the world's third-largest statue of Jesus at a total height of 156 feet (47.5m). Created by a father and son sculptor duo, the concrete structure is scheduled to be finished this year and visitors will be able to rise 111 feet (34m) through the heart of it, to a glass opening looking out across the surrounding area.

The largest equine sculpture in the world, the two horses' heads rise 98 feet (30m) above the surrounding area. Depicting kelpies (shape-shifting water spirits), the sculpture is a reference to the area's strong connection to horses that helped shape Scottish industry and economy. Located in the Forth Valley, Falkirk itself lies between Scotland's two biggest cities, Glasgow and the capital of Edinburgh.

The tallest Guanyin statue in the world, it rises 354 feet (108m) and has three aspects – one facing inland and the other two looking out to the South China Sea. The different aspects represent Guanyin's blessing and protection of China and the whole world. It was enshrined in 2005 with the participation of 108 eminent monks from various Buddhist groups in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and China alongside thousands of pilgrims. 

Known locally as Brezhnev's Daughter, The Motherland Monument in Ukraine's capital Kiev honours the Ukrainian soldiers who defended Kiev during the Second World War and celebrates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany. The 203-foot (62m) tall titanium statue is part of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War, overlooking the River Dnieper.

Found just off the coast of Nassau in Bahamas, this is the largest underwater sculpture in the world. Called Ocean Atlas, it's the work of artist, diver and naturalist Jason deCaires Taylor, who introduced record-breaking sculpture to the Caribbean waters in 2014. Forged from sustainable and pH-neutral materials, the statue is meant to encourage coral colonisation and to show that human interaction with the natural world can also be positive. 

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The tallest statue in Europe, Motherland Calls is at the centre of the monument ensemble Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad on Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd, Russia. Depicting a woman that symbolises the Russian motherland, it calls the country's sons and daughters to defend her against the enemy. Standing 279 feet (85m) tall, the statue was built in 1967, commemorating 25 years since the bloody Battle of Stalingrad (Volgograd's previous name), when almost two million people died during the six-month siege of the city. 

Best known for his balloon dogs, this is possibly the most adorable of Jeff Koon's works. Located outside the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum, this 43 feet tall (13m) West Highland terrier is a living plant sculpture. A take on the outlandish topiary sculptures of 18th-century gardens, the piece was created to inspire optimism according to the artist himself.

Located just outside of Da Nang, one of Vietnam's largest cities, the Golden Bridge has quickly become a must-visit attraction after opening in 2018. Soaring 3,280 feet (999m) above sea level, the two giant hands hold a striking footbridge, meant to resemble the hands of gods holding a golden thread. Part of a £1.5 ($2) billion investment to lure more tourists to the area, it's a spectacular sight to see. 

Now take a look at the world's most beautiful bridges

To put the statue's monumental size in perspective, it's equivalent to around an 18-storey building and took 3,000 workers and 250 engineers 40 months to complete. The statue's core is made from 6,500 tonnes of structural steel and 18,500 tonnes of reinforced steel. The outer façade is covered in 1,700 bronze plates and 1,850 tonnes of bronze cladding. 

The accompanying statue, Reclining Buddha, represents historical Buddha during his last illness before his death. The statue houses a temple and is surrounded by a garden of Bodhi trees and 9,000 other plants. It's believed that Buddha attained enlightenment during a rest under a Bodhi tree. 

The Great Buddha of Thailand, located in the Wat Muang temple, is currently the tallest statue in Thailand. Depicted in a seated posture, called Maravijaya Attitude, the Buddha draws in visitors thanks to its right hand – just below there's a small pedestal people can stand on to touch the Buddha's hand. 

This Buddha statue's enormous dimensions – it's 300 feet high (91m) and 201 feet wide (61m) – dominate the landscape, meaning it can be seen for miles. 

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Breaking up the seemingly flat surface of Atacama Desert's moonscape, Mano del Desierto (Hand of the Desert) is a work of the Chilean sculptor Mario Irarrázabal. The 36 feet tall (11m) hand was built in the early 1980s and the artist himself has said that his "art is meant to spark imagination". However, the hand, its size and its location are all a symbol of human vulnerability. 

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