Other sites include the Huacas del Sol y Luna (adobe pyramids) and the Gocta Falls, one of the world's tallest waterfalls, while rare pink dolphins swim in this region's section of the Amazon.
Shooting 26 searchlights 10km into the skies, and blaring its call to prayer 7km across the valley, the Abraj al-Bait is also the world's second tallest building.
The tower is the tallest building in the western hemisphere.
One tower of 150 metres is now set to be built by 2018, while the Neukölln district has approved plans for the 175-metre Estrel Tower, Germany's tallest hotel.
The coaster is touted as the tallest steel-hybrid roller coaster in the world.
But the 30 members of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat's "height committee", who met on Friday, ruled that One World Trade Center reaches 1,776ft and its claim to be the tallest building in the western hemisphere is legitimate.
It will remain the tallest residential building in the hemisphere until the Nordstrom Tower – high-end shopping below, luxury living above – goes up four blocks away.
While the fireworks outside the tallest building in western Europe didn't really deliver, the tiny canapés – including watermelon and chicken, since you ask – and fruity non-alcoholic beverages did.
The country's hotel scene will reach new heights when Sol Meliá's new hotel brand ME takes up residence in Vienna's DC Tower 1 (solmelia.com), one of two skyscrapers by French architect Dominique Perrault, which will be the tallest buildings in Austria upon completion.
But to finish, a quiz – courtesy of CharlieFarley, who challenges readers to recognise his home city from these clues: It has the cathedral with the second tallest spire in England.
Baumgartner has already racked up a string of records, including in 1999 jumping from the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, then the tallest buildings in the world.
