T h e C N T o w e r

You can see the CN Tower on the first page of the paper. The CN Tower is a key element in Canada’s telecommunications network, provides space for microwave transmission of voice, telex, computer data, facsimile, television, and radio. At 553.33 meters the CN Tower is considered the world's tallest free-standing structure. Construction took 40 months, cost $57 millions, employed 1573 workers, and was completed in June 1976. A slender column resembling a giant needle, it weight 132080 metric tons - the equivalent of 23214 large elephants. Visitors can step inside one of four glass-faced elevators and be whisked to the Skypod Observation level in under a minute. There are three observation decks, at 342, 346, and 447 meters aboveground, the world's highest public observation gallery. Each of these offers panoramic views of Toronto, the Toronto Islands, and, on a clear day, Niagara Falls. Spectacular views are also to be had from Top Of Toronto, a restaurant at the 350-metre level that makes a full revolution once every 72 minutes. Those who prefer to dine on the ground level can enjoy a snack in the family - style restaurant. The CN Tower has the longest metal staircase in the world ( 2570 steps), which is made available to the public each year for a charity stair climb. Dar Robinson has jumped from the top of the tower twice - once with a parachute for the filming of the movie “Highpoint”(1979) and once using a wire cable for the TV show "That's Incredible". On the tower's tenth anniversary, "Spider Man" Goodwin completed two free - style climbs outside the glass elevator-shaft window.