<P> Roller coasters are amusement rides developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks . During the 16th and 17th centuries, rides consisting of wooden sleds that took riders down large slides made from ice were popular in Russia . The first roller coasters, where the train was attached to a wooden track, first appeared in France in the early 1800s . Although wooden roller coasters are still being produced, steel roller coasters are more common and can be found on every continent except Antarctica . </P> <P> Ranked by height, speed, length, inversions, and steepness, roller coasters are also rated through public opinion polls . Amusement parks often compete to build the tallest, fastest, and longest rides to attract thrill seekers and boost overall park attendance . However, many records do not usually last long . When Magnum XL - 200 opened in 1989, it began a new era of roller coasters and increased competition among parks to set new world records . The Magnum XL--200 was the first complete - circuit roller coaster built over 200 feet (61 m). Other notable roller coasters include Formula Rossa which reaches a top speed of 149 miles per hour (240 km / h), Kingda Ka which stands at 456 feet (139 m) tall, and Steel Dragon 2000 which measures 8,133 feet (2,479 m) in length . </P> <Table> Key <Tr> <Th> Key </Th> <Th> Meaning </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Td> Record holder </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> * * </Th> <Td> Under construction </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> * </Th> <Td> Still exists but not operating </Td> </Tr> </Table>

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