The Effel tower

 The Eiffel Tower 

 is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower.

Locally nicknamed "La dame de fer" (French for "Iron Lady"), it was constructed from 1887 to 1889 as the centerpiece of the 1889 World's Fair. Although initially criticized by some of France's leading artists and intellectuals for its design, it has since become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world Tower is the most visited monument with an entrance fee in the world 

The tower is 330 meters (1,083 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building, and the tallest structure in Paris. Its base is square, measuring 125 meters (410 ft) on each side. 

The tower has three levels for visitors, with restaurants on the first and second levels. The top level's upper platform is 276 m (906 ft) above the ground – the highest observation deck accessible to the public in the European Union. Tickets can be purchased to ascend by stairs or lift to the first and second levels. The climb from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps, as is the climb from the first level to the second, making the entire ascent a 600 step climb. Although there is a staircase to the top level, it is usually accessible only by lift. On this top, third level is a private apartment built for Gustave Eiffel's private use. He decorated it with furniture by Jean Lachaise and invited friends such as Thomas Edison.

location: The Eiffel Tower can be found on the Champs de Mars at 5 Avenue Anatole France within the 7th arrondissement of Paris. Situated on the “Left Bank,” meaning it is to the south of the Seine River, the storied 7th arrondissement neighborhood in Paris is home to many other famous tourist attractions, such as the Muse d’Orsay and the Rodin Museum.

History

The design of the Eiffel Tower is attributed to Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, two senior engineers working for the Compagnie des Etablissements Eiffel. It was envisioned after discussion about a suitable centerpiece for the proposed 1889 Exposition Universally, a world's fair to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution.

The Eiffel Tower was initially built to serve as the entrance gateway to the International Exposition of 1889 as well as a testament to French industrial ingenuity. It has since come to represent the distinct character of the city of Paris. Its lights are also often turned on or off to reflect commemoration of major world events.

The Eiffel Tower is made almost entirely of open lattice wrought iron. Gustave Eiffel used his advanced knowledge of the behavior of metal arch and metal truss forms under loading to design a light and airy but strong structure that presaged a revolution in civil engineering and architectural design.

The Eiffel Tower can be seen sparkling every night for five minutes each hour, at the precise start of the hour. The current lighting system has been in place since 1985, though the tower has been lit up in various fashions since its 1889 debut for the International Exposition, when gaslights were used.