Shopping malls have come a long way from simple retail stores. Today's biggest malls are enormous complexes that combine thousands of stores with hotels, theme parks, aquariums, ice rinks, and cultural spaces.
Most of the world's largest malls are concentrated in Asia and the Middle East, where rapid urban growth has driven some truly record-breaking construction. To understand their true scale, experts measure the total space available for renting to shops and restaurants. This measurement helps rank the biggest malls on the planet.
From famous luxury spots in Dubai to a completely self-contained town in Iran, these are the 15 largest shopping destinations in the world. Click through the gallery to take a look.