We explain what the Eiffel Tower is, how are its dimensions, structure and design. In addition, its characteristics, functions and more.
What is the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower, Initially baptized as “300 meter tower” (300 mètres tour) It is a pure (refined) iron monument designed by French engineers Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, along with the architect Stephen Sauvestre, and built in Paris for the universal exhibition of 1889 by Alexandre Eiffel.
The Eiffel Tower It took two years, two months and five days to buildand involved the work of 50 engineers and 150 factory operators, as well as 18,038 iron pieces and more than 5000 workshop designs. Although at the time it generated controversy between the public that considered it a metal monster, today it constitutes one of the most emblematic symbols of the French capital and a tourist point of absolute interest.
The Eiffel Tower It was the highest structure in the world for 41 years.
See also: Taj Mahal.
Eiffel Tower Dimensions
The Eiffel Tower It is 300 meters high, then extended to 324 by a radial antenna in its stop, and a width of 124.90 meters. It has three different habitable plants, one at 57.64 meters high, another at 115.73 meters, and the last at 276 meters high, from which the city can be seen around.
The complete tower Rest on a 2 -meter concrete basein turn located on a gravel bed in a foundations of almost 7 meters deep. The total iron of the tower weighs 7,300 tons.
Eiffel Tower Location
It is located at the end of the Mars field, to the southern shore of the Seine River, in the seventh district of the French capital of Paris. It has become a true icon of the city, and receives 7.1 million tourists annually, for a total of 250 million visitors since its inauguration.
Structure and design of the Eiffel Tower
The tower is made up of the three habitable levels described, plus an intermediate level, as well as a base and different foundations, pillars and arches.
- Base. A square of 125 meters from side and concrete, which supports the complete tower.
- Foundations. Each installed in a foundation well, two towards the French Military Academy and two towards the Seine River, are four pillars with huge 78 dm -long subjection bolts.
- The pillars. In these are the tickets for the sale of tickets (northern and west pillars) and the elevators (northern pillars, east and west), as well as the stairs open to the public to the second floor.
- The arches. 39 meters from the ground, tend on pillars and have a total diameter of 74 meters. They are merely aesthetic.
- First floor. With an area of 4200 square meters, it supports three thousand people simultaneously, in a gallery provided with catalejos and maps of Paris to observe the round. There is also the restaurant 58 Tour Eiffel and the Sala Gustave Eiffel of Conferences and Multipurpose.
- Second floor. With an area of 1650 square meters and capacity for 1600 people at the same time, it allows almost 60 kilometers to be observed on average. Here is the restaurant Le Jules Verne.
- Intermediate plant. Equidistant at the first and second levels in 80 meters, this level is not open to tourism, but houses the necessary machinery for elevators.
- Third floor. With an area of 350 square meters and capacity for 400 people simultaneously, this level is reached only by elevator. There is the Bar à champagne and a staging of Gustave Eiffel receiving Thomas Edison.
Eiffel Tower Movement
It is said that The “escapes the sun” tower, which is due to the dilation of the metal by the heat received during the day. Its most sunny side dilates enough to twist (approximately 18cm) to the tower towards the opposite side.
Similarly, The wind shakes the tower to about 9 centimeters maximumalthough its construction contemplated at all times, contrary to what the newspapers of the time, the forces of the wind in their design accused. Not in bucket the Eiffel company was a famous bridge construction.
Eiffel Tower Aesthetics
One of the main aesthetic achievements of the tower was to make The structure (the frame) of the tower its maximum protagonistbeing that until the time it used to hide and cover with cement.
This conferred an “unfinished” aspect that was a reason for criticism, but has demonstrated over time An ideal combination of minimalist functionality and aesthetics.
Radial Functions of the Eiffel Tower
Shortly after its inauguration, the Eiffel Tower It was used for military tests with communication antennastaking advantage of its height and position in the French city.
Today, in fact, the tower not only fulfills tourist and decorative functions, but It operates as an antenna in the transmission of local radio and television programsthrough its 116 antennas installed.
Eiffel Tower Maintenance
To avoid the oxidation of the iron of the tower, about 60 tons of paint are required every seven yearsadministered by the foundation that runs the tower. It has been painted at least 19 times since its construction. The tower provides direct employment to 500 people more or less, among employees and foundation personnel (sete).
Tribute to scientists Torre Eiffel
As a tribute to man’s inventiveness, Eiffel placed in the tower the last names of 72 Mathematicians, engineers and French scientists (almost all).
Eiffel Tower lighting
Given the enormous presence of the tower in the city, It is usually illuminated since its inauguration itself (by gas lights). It currently has spotlights that glimpse Parisine night, as well as thousands of spinting light bulbs that travel their metallic body.
Besides, It has been the scene of numerous artistic illuminationspropaganda or even commemorative, such as its lighting with the colors of the blue flag of the European Union when France received the rotary presidency of said organization.
Finally, Every July 14, fireworks are fired from their second floorto celebrate the National Day of France.
Cultural importance of the Eiffel Tower
Not only is it a Parisian and French symbol par excellence, but the Eiffel Tower has made its entry into numerous artistic, photographic, iconographic and even literary representations. It is present in coins, songs, paintings, postcards, comics, films, calligrams and endless cultural productions.
In addition, it is a significant historical place, in which the Nazis were portrayed during their occupation of France, and where numerous sports challenges have been carried out. So much so, there are replicas in Las Vegas (USA), Durango (Mexico) and Tokyo (Japan).
