The Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, casts a long shadow on the ground in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Jan. 4. The Burj is over 2,625 feet tall and has more than 160 stories. An official opening ceremony to inaugurate the tower will be held on Monday. Kamran Jebreili/AP
Balloons await the inauguration ceremonies near the Burj Dubai on Monday. Designed by US architect Adrian Smith, the tower is expected to open Jan. 4 amid tight security. Peter Kneffel/NEWSCOM
Robert Booth, executive director of Dubai-based developer Emaar Properties, talks to an AFP reporter in front of a model of the Burj Dubai in April 2005. Rabih Moghrabi/AFP/Getty Images/NEWSCOM/FILE
The construction site that would become home to the Burj Dubai is seen in April 2005. It was estimated that at its peak, over 20,000 workers would be involved in the construction of the world's tallest tower. Rabin Moghrabi/AFP/Getty Images/NEWSCOM/FILE
Construction continues on the Burj Dubai skyscraper in October 2006. Rabin Moghrabi/AFP/Getty Images/NEWSCOM/FILE
In January 2007, camel racers practice with the Burj Dubai under construction in the background. The tower had recently reached its 100th story at this time, and laborers were adding a new floor every three days. Kamran Jebreili/AP/FILE
The Burj Dubai is seen in April 2008. Emaar Properties/AFP/NEWSCOM/FILE
The Burj Dubai, still under construction, is seen lit up at night in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AFP/NEWSCOM/FILE
People play cricket in front of the Burj Dubai in November 2009. Steve Crisp/Reuters/FILE
The Burj Dubai is seen here on Dec. 14. Mosab Omar/Reuters
A woman looks out from the observation deck at the Burj Dubai on the 124th floor. The deck features 360-degree views of the entire city and also features electronic binoculars (on right). Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters
Emirati men approach the Burj Dubai to attend official opening ceremonies on Monday. The Burj Dubai has over 160 stories, though the exact height of the record-setting building is being kept secret until Monday evening. Kamran Jebreili/AP
In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, workers wash the windows on the Burj Dubai ahead of its official opening on Dec. 29. NEWSCOM
On Jan. 3, people walk in front of the Burj Dubai, which is set to open on Monday. Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters
A future-focused cultural district made up of four museums and a performing arts center will be built on a manmade island off the coast of Abu Dhabi by 2017.
• A local, slice-of-life story from a Monitor correspondent.
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