Spanning the Tagus River near Lisbon, the Vasco da Gama Bridge ranks among the longest in the world at roughly 18 kilometers (about 11 miles). Opened in 1998 to mark the 500th anniversary of the explorer Vasco da Gama’s sea route to India, the bridge was built to ease traffic and support the region’s growth. Its long, gently curving spans cross wetlands and river channels, connecting Lisbon with communities to the north and east.