Construction Visible from Space: The Sea of Greenhouses in Almería
There is a popular myth that the Great Wall of China is the only man-made structure visible from space. However, a single construction covering more than 30,000 hectares has caught the attention of the most powerful satellite observation instruments on Earth.
Spanish astronaut Pedro Duke revealed that the greenhouses of Almería, located in the Andalusia region of the Iberian Peninsula, are the only man-made structure that can be seen almost perfectly from space. This information was confirmed by another Spanish astronaut named Michael López-Alegría, who worked in NASA and was commander of the International Space Station (ISS) on mission XIV.
The greenhouses, which are located in the Almería desert, stretch over several kilometers along the Spanish coast, creating a striking white spot visible from space. They have a surface area of between 20,000 and 70,000 hectares and are used to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables including tropical fruits, bell peppers, pumpkins, tomatoes, melons, and watermelons.
The greenhouses rely on aquifers to feed the crops, enabling the production of 2.5 to 3.5 million tons of fruits and vegetables per year. This agricultural feat has also led to a significant cooling effect in the area, with a decrease of 0.3°C per decade compared to a 0.5°C increase per decade in the region.
The sea of greenhouses has become a notable landmark, with the area being referred to as such by NASA. Satellite images captured by the Operational Ground Imager 2 (OLI-2) on board the Landsat 9 satellite showcased the impressive expanse of greenhouses surrounding the city of The Ejido near the Dalías Coasts.
The history of the greenhouses dates back to the 1950s and 1960s when farmers began establishing the structures to protect the soil and plants from damaging winds and salty groundwater using plastic blankets and sand.
The greenhouse effect in Almería has not only revolutionized agriculture but also contributed to combating climate change. The reflectivity of the greenhouses has led to a cooling effect in the area, making them an important tool in the fight against rising temperatures.
The sight of the sea of greenhouses in Almería is not only a marvel to behold from space but also serves as a testament to human ingenuity and resourcefulness.