Atomium
Landmark
An iron crystal blown up 165 billion times, in Brussels.
The Atomium in Brussels was built for the World's Fair of 1958. It shows an iron crystal, magnified 165 billion times.
It is 102 metres high and has nine steel spheres, each 18 metres across. They are joined by tubes with stairs and escalators inside. It was supposed to stand for six months. It is still there.
- high
- 102 m
- spheres
- 9
- built
- 1958
- 1
It was only meant to stay for the six months of the fair.
- 2
From the top sphere you look out over the whole of Brussels.
- 3
The spheres were first covered in aluminium. Since 2006 they have been clad in stainless steel.
Question 1 of 2
What does the Atomium show?
- Windmills of KinderdijkNineteen windmills that kept the Dutch polders dry.
- VaalserbergThe highest point of the Netherlands, where three countries meet.
- Canals of AmsterdamRings of water around a city that was built on poles.
- AfsluitdijkA dam of 32 kilometres that turned a sea into a lake.
It is in Belgium.
Read about Belgium