We present a global and regional multi-annual (1996-2002) analysis of cloud properties (spherical albedo, optical thickness and top height) derived using measurements from the GOME-1 instrument onboard the ESA ERS-2 space platform. We focus on cloud top height (CTH), which is obtained from top-of-atmosphere backscattered solar light measurements in the O2 A-band using the Semi-Analytical CloUd Retrieval Algorithm SACURA. The physical framework relies on the asymptotic equations of radiative transfer. The dataset has been validated against independent ground- and satellite-based retrievals and is aimed to support ozone and trace-gases studies as well as to create a robust long-term climatology together with SCIAMACHY and GOME-2 ensuing retrievals. We observed the El Niño Southern Oscillation anomaly in the 1997-1998 record through CTH values over Pacific Ocean. Analytical forms of probability density functions of seasonal CTH are proposed for parameterizations in climate modeling. The global average CTH as derived from GOME-1 is 7.0 ± 1.18 km.