There are now more than 7,000 — and they're being built at a faster rate than ever... but why?
Well, here's a brief history (& future) of skyscrapers...
The history of skyscrapers can be divided into five broad eras.
First are ancient and medieval buildings which were tall, though not what we think of when we hear the word "skyscraper".
Like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a belltower, completed in 1372 after two centuries' work:
It was the 19th century that ushered in a new architecture and introduced a new kind of building — the skyscraper.
Thanks to inventions like reinforced concrete and steel frames it became possible to construct buildings of immense size both more easily and more quickly.
1. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman (2001)
2. Kingdom Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2002)
Once the tallest building in Saudi Arabia (since surpassed), the Kingdom Centre is probably most interesting for containing the world's most elevated mosque — and, of course, its incredibly distinctive sky bridge.
3. Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA, USA (2003)
Among the most iconic buildings by one of the 20th & 21st century's most iconic architects, Frank Gehry, complete with his trademark flowing surfaces.
Some love Gehry and others can't stand him — but nobody has ever called him boring.
It might feel like Christmas is now over — but it's only just started.
Because Christmas really begins on the 25th December and ends on the 5th January.
That's why there are Twelve Days of Christmas...
The way Christmas is now celebrated makes the 25th December feel like its end and culmination.
But originally — and as remains the case religiously — the 25th December was the beginning of Christmas, not its end, as declared by the Council of Tours in 567 AD.
The period leading up to Christmas is known as "Advent", defined by the Council of Tours as a season of preparation.
Hence Advent Calendars, which first appeared in the 19th century.
They count down the days until the whole Christmas season begins, not simply to Christmas Day.
Who is Santa Claus? Why does he look like that? And where did he come from?
All these questions, answered...
The original Santa Claus, so to speak, was Saint Nicholas (270-343 AD).
He was an early Christian bishop born in Myra, modern Turkey, who became famous for working miracles and helping the needy.
In the 5th century AD Emperor Theodosius II built a church in his honour.
One story goes that Saint Nicholas saved three young women from being forced into prostitution by dropping bags of gold through the windows of their house so their father could afford a dowry and have them married: