The Burj Dubai, now undisputedly the world’s tallest building and man-made structure, was unveiled earlier this week amongst huge international fanfare.

Her are some facts about the tallest building:

* The tower was constructed by 10,000 workers from 59 various companies. The majority of workers were poor migrants coming from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.

* 330,000 cubicmetres of concrete were required, 39,000 tonnes of steel, as well as 22 million man-hours.

* Cost is reportedly about $US1.5 billion

* Concrete was pumped vertically into the building’s walls, up to 601 metres.

* The quantity of concrete used for the core of the tower could suffice to build a 2000kms long footpath. The quantity of steel reinforcing bars could wrap a quarter of the way around the planet.

* The building’s steel and glass exterior could cover 17 football pitches, and requires six to eight weeks to have cleaned.

* The cooling system of the tower produces enough water in the form of condensation to fill 20 Olympic size swimming pools every year. This water enters the building’s irrigation system, and is used in its landscaped surfaces.
                      
* Babu Sassi from the state of Kerala in southern India and the crane operator during construction, has evolved into a real legend stemming from the fact that he reportedly lived in the huge machinery. This was apparently never confirmed.

* Even as the tower was rising out of the Dubai dunes, engineers never knew exactly how tall the building would end up being.

* The temperature at the top of the building is on average 7 to 8 degrees Celsius colder than at ground level.

* Special high-altitude tower cranes were used to achieve the amazing height of the building. These operated as high as 750 metres, and each was capable of carrying 25-tonnes at once and could endure winds of 120km/h. The cranes could move up the tower as it grew.