Try making a splash in the world's largest swimming pool... it's 1,000 yards long
Last updated at 08:38 23 January 2008
If you like doing laps in the swimming pool,
you might want to stock up on the energy
drinks before diving in to this one.
It is more than 1,000 yards long, covers 20
acres, had a 115ft deep end and holds 66 million
gallons of water.
Yesterday the Guinness
Book of Records named the vast pool beside
the sea in Chile as the biggest in the world.
Scroll down for more...
But if you fancy splashing out on one of
your own – and you have the space to
accommodate it – then beware: This one
took five years to build, cost nearly £1billion
and the annual maintenance bill will be
£2million.
The man-made saltwater lagoon
has been attracting huge crowds to the San
Alfonso del Mar resort at Algarrobo, on
Chile's southern coast, since it opened last
month.
Its turquoise waters are so crystal clear
that you can see the bottom even in the deep end.
It dwarfs the world's second
biggest pool, the Orthlieb – nicknamed the
Big Splash – in Morocco, which is a mere 150
yards long and 100 yards wide. An Olympicsize
pool measures some 50 yards by 25
yards.
Scroll down for more...
Chile's monster pool uses a computer-
controlled suction and filtration system
to keep fresh seawater in permanent
circulation, drawing it in from the ocean at
one end and pumping it out at the other.
The sun warms the water to 26c, nine
degrees warmer than the adjoining sea.
Chilean biochemist Fernando Fischmann,
whose Crystal Lagoons Corporation
designed the pool, said advanced engineering
meant his company could build "an
impressive artificial paradise" even in inhospitable
areas.
"As long as we have access to
unlimited seawater, we can make it work,
and it causes no damage to the ocean."
Most watched News videos
- Russian soldiers catch 'Ukrainian spy' on motorbike near airbase
- Five migrants have been killed after attempting to cross the Channel
- Shocking moment balaclava clad thief snatches phone in London
- Moment fire breaks out 'on Russian warship in Crimea'
- Suspected migrant boat leaves France's coast and heads to the UK
- Shocking moment man hurls racist abuse at group of women in Romford
- Shocking moment passengers throw punches in Turkey airplane brawl
- Shocking moment woman is abducted by man in Oregon
- Lords vote against Government's Rwanda Bill
- Staff confused as lights randomly go off in the Lords
- Brazen thief raids Greggs and walks out of store with sandwiches
- Mother attempts to pay with savings account card which got declined
