The immensity of this site is impressive as it can be seen from space. But Almeria's 'sea of plastic' in Spain has a great story that everyone should know.
Which is the only structure that can be seen from space? Photo by Unsplash.
When we talk about immensity, the first thing that comes to mind is The Great Wall of China waves Pyramids of Giza. However, very few know, there is one Modern construction It surpasses them to that extent It can be seen from space.
about that Almeria's sea of plasticIt contains South of Spain. It is a large area Greenhouses more inclusive 40,000 hectares And it is so large that it can be seen to be far from human construction Tierra.
Very few people are interesting History This white spot on the edge The Mediterranean Sea. How is it possible for humans to build something like this? What is it made of? When was it built?
A sea of greenhouses. Photo by Twitter @jmmulet.
The history of A sea of plastic goes back to 1960swhen Spanish farmers They started looking for a new way Grow fruits and vegetables Out of season in dry weather with little rain.
However Province of AlmeriaIn the southeast of Spain, there are some dry conditions It has a point in favor of the region of Europe Access to ground water and plenty of sun.
So, without hesitation, the farmers thought of an ingenious solution: Construction of plastic covered greenhouses. They never imagined it would happen later The only construction that can be seen from space.
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A journey through the history of greenhouses
In the decade 1950He Talia's Field, Located on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, the area was mostly covered with shrubs, grasses, and some small patches of outdoor seasonal crops.
A sea of greenhouses. Photo by Twitter @PregoneroL.
It was at that point that farmers started experimenting New methods: They first added layers of sand with a plastic cover to protect the soil and plants from damaging wind and salty groundwater.
But then they realized it Crops under plastic There were many High productivity Because the soil is warmer and retains more moisture than outdoor crops.
The discovery was a big win, from Greenhouses They created Perfect microclimate For cultivation, they protected the plants from the attacks of wind, sea salt and frost. Additionally, plastic allows for better control temperature, humidity and light, It was exponentially favorable for the growth of crops.
In this way, an ocean of plastic soon became Economic motor to the region. Nowadays, Almeria This is one Major fruit and vegetable producers in Europe. They owe it all Padding tent system It can supply markets across the continent.
Fruits and vegetables throughout the year. Photo: Unsplash.
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Fruits and vegetables that are out of season
Currently, the Almeria Greenhouses production between 2.5 million and 3.5 million tons of fruits and vegetables per yearEnough to become the main source of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and melons Out of season For all residents Europe.
According to published estimates NASALos Almeria Greenhouses Cover Over 40,000 hectaresIt's almost all Field of Dalias. Greenhouses cover such a large area that they may have had a knock-on effect. Coldness White roofs are located because they are significantly reflective Sun light.
