Chimneys are built to draw smoke and fumes out of buildings and the practice dates back to Roman times. During the Industrial Revolution, taller chimneys were constructed for commercial buildings to deal with the higher demand in manufacturing. These days, there are towering structures built in concrete, steel and brick that service power plants the world over. Here is a list of the top 10 tallest chimneys in the world:.
10. Currently, the tenth tallest chimney in the world is at Syrdarya Power Plant in Uzbekistan. Standing 350m (1148ft) tall, the 3rd chimney of this power plant was built in 1980.
9. The ninth tallest chimney can be found at Phoenix Copper Smelter in Romania. It is also the tallest structure in the country at 351.5m (1153ft) high. It was constructed in 1995.
8. In eighth position, the Endesa Power Station boasts a stack that stands 356m (1168ft) tall. Located in Spain it was built in 1974.
7. Seventh place is reserved for the tallest chimney stack in Europe which can be found in Slovenia. The Trbovje Chimney is 360m (1181ft) high and is at the Trbojie Power Station that was built in 1976.
6. Located in West Virginia, USA the sixth tallest chimney is at Mitchell Power Plant. Measuring 367.6m (1206 ft) tall it was the tallest chimney in the world from 1968, when it was constructed, until 1972 when a taller chimney was built.
5. The Beryozovskaya Gres Stack is in Sharypovo, Russia and is the tallest free-standing structure in Russia currently. An impressive chimney of 370m (1210 ft) it was built in 1985.
4. The fourth tallest chimney in the World is Kennecott Smokestack located in Utah, USA. Standing at 370.4m (1215ft) tall it was constructed in 1974.