The world's most majestic skyscrapers

From the Tower of Babel to the pyramids of Egypt, high rises have always captured the human imagination. Whether in a bid to reach the gods, or to ensure immortality, men have been building skyscrapers that stretch higher than ever into the heavens. Cut to present day, and we follow this obsession around the world, circling the globe in tribute to the world’s most majestic skyscrapers.

The 29-story Al Bahar Towers in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates was given an innovation award for its dynamic facade that rotates in response to the movement of the sun by the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) on June 13, 2012. The four regional winners include the Absolute Towers in Mississauga, Canada (Americas); 1 Bligh Street, Sydney (Asia and Australia); Palazzo Lombardia, Milan (Europe); and Doha Tower, Doha (Middle East and Africa). The Chicago based CTBUH, a group of architects and structural engineers that monitors tall building projects around the world, said there has been a "renaissance" in skyscraper development. A record 88 towers taller than 200 meters were completed in 2011 - compared to 32 such projects in 2005.

An artist's rendering of the soon-to-be completed Absolute Towers, a 56-story residential project in Mississauga, Ontario. The towers have been named the Best Tall Building in Americas by the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).

A 28-story elliptical tower in Sydney, Australia, was named Best Tall Building in Asia & Australia by the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) on June 13, 2012.

Italy's 40-story Palazzo Lombardia in Milan was named the Best Tall Building Europe by the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).

This 46-story Doha Tower in Qatar has been named the Best Tall Building in Middle East & Africa by the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) on June 13, 2012.

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai was built in 2010. It is 828m high, and has 163 floors.

Taipei 101 in Taiwan was built in 2004. It is 508m high, and has 101 floors.

The Shanghai World Financial Center was built in 2008. It is 492m high, and has 101 floors.

The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was built in 1998. It is 452m high, and has 88 floors.

The International Commerce Center in Hong Kong was built in 2010. It is 484m high, and has 108 floors.

The Willis Tower, also known as the Sears Tower, in Chicago was built in 1974. It is 442m high, and has 110 floors.

The Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai was built in 1998. It is 421m high, and has 88 floors.

The Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago was built in 2009. It is 415m high, and has 98 floors.

The Empire State Building, New York was built in 1931. It is 381m high, and has 102 floors.

The Guangzhou West Tower in China was built in 2009. It is 438m high, and has 103 stories.