Few structures on Earth carry the instant recognition of the Eiffel Tower, which was built in 1899 for France's World's Fair. Bearing the name of its designer, Gustave Eiffel, this iconic landmark continues to earn admiration for its graceful engineering. Today, it holds the distinction of being the most-visited paid monument on the planet, drawing millions of people who make the climb each year.
Rising over 1,000 feet (304.8 meters) into the sky, the tower held the title of the tallest man-made structure in the world when it was first erected. Visitors can discover three distinct levels, each one offering spectacular panoramic views across the city of Paris. It's the kind of experience that leaves a lasting impression on everyone who steps foot on the structure.
A remarkable milestone was reached on August 30, 1993, when the tower welcomed its 150,000,000th visitor. This achievement came just ahead of the 100th anniversary of the tower's construction. Interestingly, although the Eiffel Tower earned worldwide acclaim for its design soon after it opened, annual attendance stayed well under 1,000,000 right up until the 1940s. From that point forward, visitor numbers climbed steadily, eventually surpassing 6,000,000 per year.
Since that celebrated 1993 landmark, the Eiffel Tower has gone on to welcome well over 200,000,000 guests—nearly doubling its record in less than half the time it took to reach the first milestone—and its appeal only continues to grow with each passing year. Thanks to its sleek and timeless architectural design, no other structure in the world manages to pull in as many admirers. Given that enduring magnetism, it seems all but certain that the Eiffel Tower will go on offering breathtaking views for generations to come.