Pier facts for kids

An example of a pier in New Zealand

A pier is like a long walkway or platform built out over water. It's held up by strong posts or columns. Piers can be simple wooden structures, or they can be huge, complex buildings stretching far out into the sea. In some places, like the United States, people might call these structures "docks." Piers are used for many different things, from fishing and walking to loading ships and even for fun amusement parks!

What is a Pier?

A pier is a structure that extends from land over water. It's usually supported by many strong legs, called piles or columns, that go down into the seabed or lakebed. Unlike a bridge, which connects two pieces of land, a pier usually connects land to a point out in the water. This allows people or boats to get closer to deeper water without needing to build a full causeway or embankment.

Different Kinds of Piers

Piers are built for many reasons, and their design changes depending on what they are used for.

Working Piers

Some piers are built for practical work.

• Commercial Piers: These are often called jetties or wharves. They are used for ships to dock and load or unload cargo and passengers. Big ships need deep water, so these piers help them get close to land.
• Fishing Piers: Many piers are built just for fishing. They let anglers cast their lines into deeper water where more fish might be found. These piers often have places to clean fish and buy bait.
• Ferry Piers: These piers are where ferry boats pick up and drop off passengers and vehicles. They are designed to handle the weight of cars and trucks.

Leisure Piers

Many piers are built for fun and relaxation.

• Pleasure Piers: These are very popular, especially in coastal towns. They often have amusement rides, arcades, restaurants, and shops. People visit them to walk, enjoy the views, and have fun. The first pleasure piers became popular in England in the early 1800s.
• Promenade Piers: Some piers are simply long walkways where people can stroll, enjoy the sea air, and watch the waves. They offer great views of the coastline and the open water.
• Private Piers: Many homes on lakes or rivers have small private piers. These are used by families for swimming, sunbathing, or docking small boats like canoes or kayaks.

How Piers are Built

Building a pier is a big engineering job.

• Materials: Piers can be made from many materials. Wood is common for smaller, simpler piers. Larger, stronger piers use concrete, steel, or even stone. These materials need to be very strong to stand up to waves, tides, and storms.
• Foundations: The most important part of a pier is its foundation. Long piles are driven deep into the ground under the water. These piles support the entire structure above. Sometimes, large concrete blocks are used instead of piles.
• Design: Engineers design piers to withstand the forces of nature. They consider how strong the waves are, how high the tides get, and what kind of weather the area experiences. Some piers are designed to let water flow through easily, while others are more solid.

Famous Piers Around the World

There are many famous and interesting piers across the globe.

• Brighton Palace Pier: Located in Brighton, England, this is a classic example of a pleasure pier. It opened in 1899 and still has rides, arcades, and food.
• Santa Monica Pier: In Santa Monica, California, USA, this pier is famous for its Ferris wheel and roller coaster. It's a popular spot for tourists and locals.
• Progreso Pier: In Progreso, Yucatán, Mexico, this pier is one of the longest in the world, stretching about 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) into the Gulf of Mexico. It's mainly used for commercial shipping.

Piers are important structures that connect us to the water, whether for work, travel, or just for fun!

Images for kids

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  Chelsea Piers, on the West Side of Manhattan, jutting into the Hudson River

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  Canoeing floating dock pier in Ontario, Canada

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  Seaside pleasure pier in Brighton, England. The first seaside piers were built in England in the early 19th century.

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  Pier located in Monona, Wisconsin's "Stone Bridge Park" during a sunset over Lake Monona.

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  A typical summer cottage pier in the Lake Suontee in Joutsa, Finland

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  Pier in Maraetai Beach in New Zealand used to convey cattle.

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  Print of a Victorian pier in Margate in the English county of Kent, 1897

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  Brighton Palace Pier at dusk. Opened in May 1899, the pier has three bars, a restaurant, fast food kiosks, two roller coasters and an amusement arcade

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  Naples Pier circa 2022

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  At 6.5km (4 miles) the remote terminal in Progreso, Yucatán, Mexico is the largest pier in the world.

See also

In Spanish: Embarcadero para niños