For decades, it was believed that the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids of Egypt were the only ones human constructions that could be seen from space. However, a NASA publication challenged these pre-existing ideas and confirmed that the only one visible is a structure mounted on the southern Spain.
From the International Space Station (EEI)only a phenomenon known as the “sea of plastic” of Almería and it is a unique agricultural construction in the world which extends over more than 40,000 hectares in the southeast of Spain, a site that stands out unmistakably from space thanks to its particular interaction with light.
The sea of plastic is not a monumental construction or an impressive architectural work; It is not related to antiquity or the history of ancient civilizations.
It is a vast expanse of greenhouses, covering Campo de Dalías in the province of Almería, Spainand which earned its place in history due to its size and its unmistakable presence from Earth’s orbit.
The greenhouses are covered by white polyethylene roofs that reflect sunlight, creating a bright area visible from space. This reflectivity means that, in satellite images and views captured by astronauts, the Almería region stands out as a brilliant “sea of plastic.”
The greenhouses of Almería not only transformed the arid and semi-desert landscape of the region, but also revolutionized agriculture in extreme conditions. With more than 28,500 hectares of greenhouses, This area became one of the main centers of agricultural production in Europe. Fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and melons are grown and exported out of season, supplying markets across the continent.
The fact that the sea of plastic in Almería is visible from space was confirmed in 2007 by the Spanish astronaut Pedro Duque. In a conference, Duque highlighted that this was the only human structure that could be clearly seen from the International Space Station.
The bright white of the polyethylene roofs creates a striking contrast with the surrounding landscapewhich makes it easier to identify from space. This discovery was supported in 2022 by NASA imageswhich showed how light reflects off the greenhouses, creating a white spot near the coast of the Alboran Sea, visible from satellites such as Landsat 9.
In a recent interview, the physicist, engineer, pilot and former NASA astronaut, Edward Tsang Lu, told to Infobae It is a myth that the Great Wall of China can be observed from space.
“It is a great structure, yes. But as the contour of the mountains follows, It is lost in the geography of the Chinese relief and is not observable at great distances. On the other hand, large cities like Buenos Aires are seen as large gray spots. Also The Andes Mountains are clearly seen from the International Space StationTherefore, when I was in San Carlos de Bariloche I remembered these mountains that I had observed from space,” said Tsang Lu, who was outside of Earth three times.
Of course other constructions like the pyramids of Egypt, the Bingham Canyon mine in the US, the Three Gorges Dam in China and the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai They are also observable from space. But not at first glance. Astronauts photograph these structures using cameras with large telephoto lenses. British astronaut Tim Peake indicated, for example, that the Egyptian pyramids cannot be seen with the naked eye, but he acknowledged that perhaps through an 800 millimeter lens.
The sea of plastic is not only famous for its visibility from space, but also for the agricultural technology it houses. In a region with water scarcity and an extremely arid climate, The Almería greenhouses incorporated advanced irrigation techniquessuch as drip irrigation, which allows for more efficient use of water. In addition, the hydroponics technique, which allows growing without soil, further optimizes resources in an area where water is a scarce resource.
Thanks to these technological advances, agricultural production in Almería experienced exponential growth. Currently, The region generates between 2.5 and 3.5 million tons of fruits and vegetables per year, becoming one of the most important sources of out-of-season food in Europe.
In particular, tomatoes and peppers are two of the most relevant products that are exported to countries on the continent, which allowed the province to consolidate itself as a key player in European agriculture.
One of the surprises of the sea of plastic is its effect on the local climate. The high reflectivity of plastic roofs has had a direct impact on the temperature of the area.
An analysis carried out by the NASA showed that greenhouse reflectivity increased surface albedo by 10% between 1983 and 2006, which means that more sunlight is reflected back into space, generating a localized cooling effect in the region. This phenomenon has partly offset the temperature increase observed in other nearby areas, helping to reduce global warming in an otherwise extremely hot area.
The concept of using plastics to protect crops in an arid region began to take shape in the 1950s and 1960s. During these years, farmers in Almería began to experiment with plastic materials to protect plantations from wind, salinity and sun. scorching. Over the decades, innovations in irrigation techniques and climate control have turned Almería’s greenhouses into a world reference in terms of agricultural efficiency.
The use of hydroponics and temperature control within the greenhouses allow crops to grow in ideal conditions, regardless of the extreme temperatures of the desert. These innovations not only increased productivity, but have also allowed Almería’s agriculture to remain competitive in the global market, despite the difficulties presented by the climate in the region.
While Almería’s sea of plastic was an effective solution for agriculture in an arid environment, it was also poses important challenges in terms of sustainability.
The use of plastics for greenhouse roofs has raised environmental concerns, as these materials can have a negative impact on the environment once they decompose. In response to this challenge, research is being carried out to develop greener plastics and forms of recycling to reduce the environmental impact of this vast structure.
Furthermore, the intensive use of water in agriculture in Almería continues to be a topic of debate, especially in a world where water scarcity is increasingly pronounced. Advances in irrigation technologies and the adoption of more sustainable agricultural practices will be essential to ensure that the sea of plastic continues to be a viable source of agricultural production in the future.
The plastic sea of Almería is one of the most surprising human constructions in the modern world, both for its scale and its visibility from space. This agricultural phenomenon has not only transformed the landscape of Almería, but has also revolutionized the way food is grown in arid regions.
Although its appearance on satellite images is astonishing, its impact on European agriculture and its contribution to the local economy is even more impressive. As technologies continue to advance, the sea of plastic will continue to be a global reference for the interaction between technology, sustainability and agriculture.
