When it comes to engineering marvels, tunnels are among the most impressive feats of human ingenuity. Tunnels allow us to traverse mountains, rivers, and even entire bodies of water with ease. But which tunnel holds the title for being the longest in the world?

The current record holder for the longest tunnel is the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland. This incredible tunnel stretches a whopping 35.5 miles (57.1 kilometers) beneath the Swiss Alps, connecting the towns of Erstfeld in the north and Bodio in the south. The Gotthard Base Tunnel was completed in 2016 after nearly two decades of construction and is a true engineering marvel.

Not far behind the Gotthard Base Tunnel is the Lærdal Tunnel in Norway, which measures 15.23 miles (24.51 kilometers) in length. The Lærdal Tunnel is part of the European Route E16 and runs between Lærdal and Aurland in Norway, providing a vital link between the east and west of the country.

Another notable tunnel is the Tunnel of Yongzhou in China, which spans an impressive 11.6 miles (18.7 kilometers). This tunnel is located in the Hunan Province of China and is a key transportation route in the region.

While these tunnels hold the current records for length, engineers are constantly pushing the boundaries of tunnel construction. Projects such as the Brenner Base Tunnel in Europe and the Seikan Tunnel in Japan are set to become some of the longest tunnels in the world upon completion.

So, while the Gotthard Base Tunnel currently holds the title for the longest tunnel in the world, it's only a matter of time before new projects take its place. Tunnels continue to be a vital part of our infrastructure, allowing us to travel faster and more efficiently than ever before.

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