The Pentagon is a large, five-sided building in Arlington, Virginia, that serves as the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the world’s largest office buildings, with a complex structure designed to house various military departments and their personnel.
Interesting Facts About the Pentagon
- The Pentagon was completed on January 15, 1943.
- It is located in Arlington, Virginia, near Washington, D.C.
- The Pentagon is one of the world’s largest office buildings.
- It has a total floor area of about 6.5 million square feet.
- Approximately 23,000 military and civilian employees work in the Pentagon.
- The building has five sides, five floors above ground, and two basement levels.
- There are 17.5 miles of corridors in the Pentagon.
- It was designed by architect George Bergstrom.
- The construction cost was about $83 million (equivalent to over $1 billion today).
- The Pentagon was built during World War II in just 16 months.
- It is made of reinforced concrete with a limestone façade.
- The Pentagon has a central courtyard, often called “Ground Zero.”
- The building is divided into five concentric rings labeled A through E.
- The rings are connected by ten spoke-like corridors.
- Each side of the Pentagon is 921 feet long.
- The building’s unique shape was chosen to fit the available land.
- The Pentagon was originally intended to be built in Arlington Farms, a more irregularly shaped area.
- It serves as the headquarters for the U.S. Department of Defense.
- The Pentagon houses the offices of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force.
- On September 11, 2001, the Pentagon was attacked by terrorists, causing significant damage.
- The impact zone was quickly rebuilt and rededicated on September 11, 2002.
- There is a memorial outside the Pentagon to honor the victims of the 9/11 attack.
- The building has its own subway station, the Pentagon Metro Station.
- The Pentagon has a helipad on its roof.
- It includes a large dining area and several food courts.
- There are several athletic facilities, including a gym and a swimming pool.
- The Pentagon has over 7,000 parking spaces.
- There are numerous artworks and memorials inside the Pentagon.
- It has a small museum, the Pentagon Tours, which offers guided tours to the public.
- The Pentagon is a symbol of U.S. military strength and strategic planning.