Is the Burj Khalifa a City or a Building?

Burj Khalifa: The World's Tallest Building, Not a City

The Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper—a single, supertall building. It is located in the city of Dubai, which is one of the seven emirates comprising the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Quick Facts

• Height: 828 m (2,717 ft) – 163 floors.
• Completed: 2010.
• Developer: Emaar Properties.
• Architect: Adrian Smith (SOM).
• Mixed-Use: Residential, corporate suites, Armani Hotel, observation decks (At the Top), mechanical.

Dubai vs. UAE

• Dubai: City & Emirate (emirate = principality ruled by a hereditary emir).
• UAE: Federation of 7 emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah) formed 1971.

The Burj Khalifa is the centerpiece of Downtown Dubai, a massive mixed-use development including The Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain, and numerous residential towers. It is a building within a city within a country.