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World :: New York To Get World's Tallest Ferris Wheel

The world's tallest ever Ferris wheel is to be created in New York - at twice the height it will overlook the Statue of Liberty.

Unveiled by the city's mayor, Michael Bloomberg, the planned tourist attraction in Staten Island will cost $230m (€178m) and measure up at 625ft (190m).

 Offering views of the downtown Manhattan skyline, the New York Wheel will be significantly bigger than the 443ft (135m)-London Eye and the 541ft (165m) Signapore Flyer.

It is designed to carry 1,440 passengers at a time and expected to attract 4.5 million people a year to what has been described as New York's "forgotten borough".

 Mr Bloomberg said: "It will be an attraction unlike any other in New York City. In fact, it will be, we think, unlike any other on the planet."

While the privately financed project faces various reviews, officials hope to have the wheel turning by the end of 2015.

 Senator Charles Schumer said: "It's going to be a real icon. The Ferris wheel will be Staten Island's Eiffel Tower."

The overall project will also feature the creation of a huge shopping centre and a 200-room hotel and is expected to bring $500m (€387m) in private investment and 1,100 permanent jobs to the borough.