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Date Published: 11/09/2024

Andalucía has the largest man-made construction visible from space

NASA has confirmed that Almería’s ‘Sea of Plastic’ is the largest man-made structure visible from space

For years, we’ve been led to believe that the Great Wall of China is the most visible man-made structure from space. However, NASA has now confirmed that this is not the case. In fact, the Great Wall of China is too narrow to be seen with the naked eye from the cosmos, despite its impressive 21,200-kilometre length and 800-metre-high towers.

So, what is the largest man-made structure visible from space? The answer, surprisingly, lies in Almería, where the vast expanse of greenhouses, known as the ‘sea of plastic’ around El Ejido, can be seen from Earth’s orbit.

This phenomenon is not just a curiosity, but a testament to Andalucía’s agricultural prowess, which boasts more than 28,500 hectares dedicated to crop production.

The reason why the greenhouses of Almería and El Ejido are visible from space is due to the reflection of sunlight on the white plastic sheets that cover the crops. This creates a bright, white expanse that can be easily distinguished from the surrounding landscape.

NASA photos have captured this phenomenon from the International Space Station, showcasing the sea of plastic as an incredibly prominent feature on the Almería coast.

The greenhouses are not only a marvel of modern agriculture but also a unique feature of Europe’s landscape. With more than 20,000 hectares dedicated to agricultural production in El Ejido alone, and nearly 30,000 hectares in the entire Almería region, this area is a significant contributor to Spain’s agricultural output.

Astronaut and former Minister of Science and Innovation, Pedro Duque, has confirmed that the greenhouses of El Ejido are the most visible human construction from space.

“What you see most is the greenhouse field in the south of Almería, that’s what you see from all over the world,” he said recently, adding that the myth surrounding China’s world wonder is untrue because “it’s a wall, not very high either, made with the same materials as the land that surrounds it.”

While the sea of plastic is by far and away the most prominent man-made structure visible from space, other impressive landmarks can also be picked out. These include the Bingham Canyon mine in the United States, the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai and the Three Gorges Dam in China.

Some claim that the pyramids of Egypt can also be seen, but this is still a topic of great debate among the experts.

In other news: Elche-based PLD Space invites schools worldwide to launch experiments into space

Image: NASA

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