Gustave Eiffel probably had no idea that the temporary structure he designed to commemorate the 100 anniversary of the French Revolution at the 1889 World Fair would become one of the world's most recognizable symbols and be still in use over 100 years after it was built.
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most

La Tour is one of the truly great iconic landmarks in the world and, to most, provides a surreal experience when one sees it for the first time in real life. The 'Iron Lady' welcomes over 6 million people a year visit the Eiffel Tower each year and over 650 million people have visited since it opened.

Interestingly; It has been repainted 19 times (The 19th in 2009-10), at 919m it was the tallest structure in Paris and was the tallest in the world for 40 years, the foundations go 15 metres below ground, it was derided and disliked by many Parisians during its construction, after its intended 20 year 'life' it was to be dismantled but Gustave Eiffel had and idea to is it as a military radio tower; an idea that stopped it from being dismantled.