The answer to this question depends on how you define "expensive." If you're looking for the most valuable object, then the Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci is often cited as the most expensive thing in the world. It's estimated to be worth over $100 billion, considering its historical significance, artistic merit, and sheer fame.
However, if you're looking for the most expensive thing in terms of cost, then the answer gets more complicated. Here are a few contenders:
- The Large Hadron Collider: This massive particle accelerator, built by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), cost an estimated $10 billion to construct.
- The International Space Station: A joint project between multiple space agencies, the ISS cost over $150 billion to build and maintain.
- The Burj Khalifa: The world's tallest building, located in Dubai, cost over $1.5 billion to construct.
Ultimately, the "most expensive thing in the world" is subjective and depends on how you define "expensive."