Comparing the Tallest Buildings on Every Continent
There are architectural masterpieces all over the world. As countries compete to construct the world’s tallest buildings, we see just how creative and visionary these structures can be.
The world’s tallest building right now is the Burj Khalifa, a stunning 160-story skyscraper located in the heart of Dubai. It stands at 2,715 feet tall, more than 600 feet taller than the second-highest building in the world, the Shanghai Tower in China. In fact, the five tallest buildings in the world are all located in Asia.
How do buildings on other continents compare to the massive skyscrapers in Asia? This infographic visualizes the five tallest buildings on every continent in the world.
The tallest building in North America is One World Trade Center. It shares its name with the North Tower of the World Trade Center that was destroyed during the September 11 terrorist attacks. Including its spire, it is 1,776 feet tall, a reference to the year that the Declaration of Independence was signed. The firm owned by the building’s architect, David Childs, is the same firm that built the Burj Khalifa.
These are the tallest buildings on each continent:
- Asia: The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE(2,715 feet)
- North America: One World Trade Center in New York City, USA (1,776 feet)
- Europe: Lahkta Center in Saint Petersburg, Russia (1,517 feet)
- Oceania: Q1 in Gold Coast, Australia (1,058 feet)
- South America: Gran Torre Santiago in Santiago, Chile (984 feet)
- Africa: The Leonardo in Johannesburg, South Africa (768 feet)
- Antarctica: Long Duration Balloon Payload Preparation Buildings (49 feet)
