With 28,000 glass panels, the Burj Dubai stands at 800 metres and can be seen from 95 kilometres away. It still has to undergo a number of technical and logistical tests, given the area's history of earthquakes and the strong winds of the Arabian Peninsula.

Dubai (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The tallest skyscraper in the world was inaugurated today. With the Mideast glass-and-steel Burj Dubai standing at over 800 metres, four of the five tallest buildings in the word are located in Asia. Only Taiwan’s Taipei 101 (508 metres) and Hong Kong's Two IFC (420 metres) towers come closest.

Owned by Emaar Properties, a giant property firm part-owned by the government, Burj Dubai can be seen from as far as 95 kilometres away and has about 28,000 glass panels on the exterior of the tower.

The 160-floor structure has 49 floors of office space, 1,044 apartments and 57 lifts with its main service lift reaching 504 metres. It has also the highest swimming pool, located on Level 76.

The building still has a number of technical and logistical tests to go through against possible earthquakes and the strong winds that sweep the Arabian Peninsula.

With the new skyscraper, Dubai continues to show its grandiosity at the low point of the world economic crisis and after it received a US$ 10 billion loan from Abu Dhabi to save it from bankruptcy.

Still, Dubai authorities have defended themselves noting that all major buildings went up at a time of depression, including the Empire State Building and the Petronas Towers.  

In addition, they point out that 90 per cent of the building has been sold, but it is still unclear at the moment who the real buyers actually are. 

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