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Burj Khalifa

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The Burj Khalifa is a massive skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Burj Khalifa (worlds tallest building) and the Dubai skyline (25781049892)
Burj Khalifa (worlds tallest building) and the Dubai skyline (25781049892)

It is the tallest structure in the whole world. The total height of the building is 829.8 meters. This is just over half a mile high. It has held the record for the tallest building since 2009. Before this, the Taipei 101 tower held the record for five years.

Comparisonfinal001fx7
Comparisonfinal001fx7

This building is the center of a huge area called Downtown Dubai.

Building such a tall tower requires a smart way of working. The design uses a Y-shaped floor plan to create more space for hotels and homes. A strong central core helps hold the building up. There are also wings that help support the great height. As the tower goes up, it has 27 setbacks in a spiral pattern. These steps make outdoor terraces for people to use. This shape also helps stop the wind from shaking the tower too much.

Many people worked to make this tower a reality. The firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill designed the building. Adrian Smith was the chief architect for the project. Bill Baker served as the chief structural engineer. Construction began on January 12, 2004. The outside of the building was finished five years later in 2009. The tower officially opened to the public on January 4, 2010.

Burj dubai aerial closeup
Burj dubai aerial closeup

There are many interesting facts about this giant structure. The building has 163 floors in total. It uses 57 elevators to move people up and down. Some of these are the fastest double-deck elevators in the world. The exterior is covered in more than 26,000 glass panels. This cladding system helps keep the inside cool during hot desert summers. The building also has the world's highest restaurant on the 122nd floor.

Burj Khalifa floors
Burj Khalifa floors

Designing the Burj Khalifa was like creating a whole new city. It was meant to help Dubai move from an oil economy to one based on tourism. The tower's design is inspired by Islamic architecture. You can see this in the spiral shapes, similar to the Great Mosque of Samarra.

Samara spiralovity minaret rijen1973
Samara spiralovity minaret rijen1973

The building is also home to the Armani Hotel. People can even watch amazing fireworks shows from the tower.

Burj khalifa fireworks (cropped)
Burj khalifa fireworks (cropped)

It is a true marvel of modern engineering.

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🖼️ Images & Media (12)
File:Burj Khalifa (worlds tallest building) and the Dubai skyline (25781049892).jpg
Burj Khalifa (worlds tallest building)...
File:Comparisonfinal001fx7.png
Comparisonfinal001fx7.png
File:Samara spiralovity minaret rijen1973.jpg
Samara spiralovity minaret rijen1973.jpg
File:Dubai Fountain 7.JPG
Dubai Fountain 7.JPG
File:Dubai Fountain from At The Top of Burj Khalifa.JPG
Dubai Fountain from At The Top of Burj Khalifa.JPG
File:View from burj khalifa6934713247 db12c311cb o.jpg
View from burj khalifa6934713247 db12c311cb o.jpg
File:Burj Khalifa floors.svg
Burj Khalifa floors.svg
Burj Dubai Evolution.ogv
File:Burj dubai aerial closeup.jpg
Burj dubai aerial closeup.jpg
File:Burj Dubai 001.jpg
Burj Dubai 001.jpg
File:Burj khalifa fireworks (cropped).jpg
Burj khalifa fireworks (cropped).jpg
File:P1040471 (14230484239).jpg
P1040471 (14230484239).jpg
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