Biggest rollercoasters in the world

New York City has unveiled two new rollercoasters at the Coney Island theme park. Here is a list of the biggest and best rollercoasters on the planet:

Some of the world's biggest rollercoasters cost up to £30m to construct. 

7:30AM BST 21 Apr 2011

Tallest

Kingda Ka, Six Flags Great Adventure, NJ, USA - 456 feet (139 m)

Kingda Ka is the world's tallest rollercoaster and was the world's fastest until Formula Rossa opened in Abu Dhabi in November 2010. The rollercoaster's train is launched by a hydraulic mechanism that allows it to reach 128 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds. At the end of the launch track, the train climbs the main tower, reaching a height of 456 feet (139 m) before plunging back down.

Fastest

Formula Rossa, Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi - 149mph

The rollercoaster's train accelerates to its top speed in approximately 4.9 seconds using a hydraulic launch system which generates a release velocity similar to that of aircraft carrier steam catapults. The shape of the track was inspired by the legendary Italian racetrack Autodromo Nazionale Monza. Due to the high air speeds and the subsequent risk of an impact with airborne particulates or insects, all riders are required to wear protective glasses similar to those used during sky diving.

Longest

Steel Dragon 2000 Nagashima Spa Land Nagashima, Mie, Japan

Steel Dragon 2000 holds the record for the longest rollercoaster track at 8,133 feet 2 inches (2,478.99 m). The building of Steel Dragon 2000 required far more steel than other rollercoasters because of the need for earthquake protection. This put the cost of the ride at over $50 million (£30m).

Most popular

Millennium Force Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio, USA

As well as being the longest steel roller coaster in North America, Millennium Force has been voted the number one steel rollercoaster in the world five times since 2001 and has never been ranked lower than number two since it opened in 2000.