The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, located in Paris, France. It was completed in 1889 for the World's Fair. The official height of the Eiffel Tower including its antenna is 324 meters.
The Eiffel Tower's height has changed over time. When it was first completed in 1889, it stood at 300 meters tall, making it the tallest man-made structure in the world at that time. In 1957, a radio antenna was added, increasing its height to 320.75 meters. Today, with the addition of a television antenna, the Eiffel Tower reaches a total height of 324 meters.
Let's compare the Eiffel Tower's height to other famous structures around the world. At 324 meters, the Eiffel Tower is impressive but no longer among the tallest structures. The Empire State Building in New York stands at 443 meters. The CN Tower in Toronto reaches 553 meters, while Tokyo Skytree extends to 634 meters. The current tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, soars to an impressive 828 meters - more than twice the height of the Eiffel Tower.
How do we actually measure the height of the Eiffel Tower? There are several methods. The most accurate is to use the official architectural records, which document the exact specifications. Modern techniques include laser distance measurement, which can precisely determine the height by measuring the time it takes for a laser beam to reflect back from the top. Trigonometry offers another approach - by measuring the angle to the top from a known distance away, we can calculate the height. GPS and satellite measurements provide another accurate method. Even barometric pressure differences between the base and top can be used to estimate height, as pressure decreases with altitude.
To summarize what we've learned about the Eiffel Tower's height: The tower currently stands at 324 meters or 1,063 feet tall. When it was first built in 1889, it was 300 meters tall, but its height has increased over time with the addition of various antennas. For 41 years, from 1889 to 1930, it held the title of the world's tallest man-made structure until the Chrysler Building in New York surpassed it. Today, we can measure its height using various techniques including official records, laser measurement, trigonometry, GPS, and barometric pressure differences. While it's no longer among the tallest structures in the world, the Eiffel Tower remains one of the most recognizable and iconic landmarks globally.