The Eiffel tower also known as the Iron Lady of France is one of the tallest iron structures ever built by man. The tower resides in Paris, France and it was built in 1889. More than 5 million people visit the Eiffel tower every year making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in France and around the world. The Eiffel Tower is made out of iron and is built on Champ de Mars. The tower got its name from the engineer who built it.
HISTROY OF EIFFEL TOWER:-
The Eiffel Tower was built as a result of the International Exhibition of Paris (also known as the Paris Exposition of 1889). The International Exhibition of France was done in order to commemoration the 100 year anniversary of the French Revolution. The Prince of Wales, King Edward VII, opened the tower after considering the 700 proposed designs. Gustav Eiffel's design was chosen but 300 petioners opposed its construction. Nevertheless, the Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 after being designed in 1884. Construction began in 1887 until 1889. The tower was used as a key place in Paris to measure the wind speed. Also, Eiffel encouraged many scientific experiments to take place on the Eiffel Tower such as Foucault's giant pendulum.
Why Was the Eiffel Tower Built?
The French government held a contest for the best monument to be used as a display in the 1899 World's Fair. More than 700 monument designs were entered. Eiffel won by unanimous vote with his tower design with a latticework design.
But all Parisians did not love the Eiffel Tower. During the construction of the Eiffel Tower, a petition was distributed demanding that it be dismantled. Locals thought that the tower was an eyesore. By the time the famous tower was completed, however, Eiffel became known as the Magician of Iron.
Numbers
The Eiffel Tower was constructed from 18,038 iron modules. It took 2.5 million rivets to put these modules together. This riveting took place over a 26-month period. The tower stands 986 feet tall. That height extends to 1,050 feet when you include the radio antenna placed at the top. The weight of the Eiffel Tower is 7,300 tons by itself. That weight rises to 10,100 tons when the concrete foundations are included. Three platforms are included on the Eiffel Tower and they can be found at the 170-, 380- and 820-feet levels. If you want to climb all the way to the top, you'll have to make your way up 1,665 steps.
The Eiffel tower has been painted 6 different colors in its history. All of the different colors were shades of brown. It takes 50 tons of paint to paint the Eiffel tower.
There are three levels in all. At the south towers base a ticket booth sells tickets to use the stairs, which begin at that location and the first and second levels are accessible by both stairs and lifts. But the third level summit is only accessible by lift. On the first platform, the stairs continue up from the east tower.
The other facility at the tower includes a skating rink. The skating rink is free to use. Other facilities are also available like you have various souvenir shops where you can purchase stuffs to bring back memories of Eiffel Tower to your home
The tower has two restaurants and both are located on the first floor. There is an inbuilt lift that can take you to the top floor so you can witness the marvelous view of Paris, France.
The Tower is 324 meters high and has 1665 stairs. The Elevator is normally open all day from 9:30 AM - 23:45 PM. The stairs are open between 9:30 AM - 18:30 PM even if the opening hours are longer on the summer.
To get to the top costs about €11 as adult and half the price as children. The stairs will bring you half-way for about €4. You will have to be prepared to stand in queue, especially in the summer months or at the bigger weekends.
Mar 7, 2011
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