The Eiffel Tower is the Paris landmark completed in 1889 for the Exposition Universelle and rising about 300 metres high.
Gustave Eiffel’s company designed and built the tower for the world’s fair celebrating the centenary of the French Revolution. Construction began in 1887 and took just over two years. At its inauguration, it was the tallest man-made structure in the world.
The tower originally faced criticism from prominent French artists and writers, who objected to its industrial appearance. Despite that, it became a successful attraction and was preserved beyond its planned 20-year lifespan because its height made it useful for radio transmission.
Its height varies slightly with temperature, and its painted surface is renewed periodically. The Eiffel Tower is often confused with the nearby Montparnasse Tower, but the two structures have different designs and purposes.