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The Greenhouse Area Has Become a Symbol of Intensive Production and Raises Debate About Environmental Impact and Sustainability in the Region
When it comes to giant works made by humans, the mind often goes straight to ancient and famous constructions. But there is a modern structure that stands out for a different reason: the visibility of space.
It is located in southern Spain and is known as the Sea of Plastic in Almería. The landscape consists of an enormous area of greenhouses covering more than 40,000 hectares, creating a white patch near the Mediterranean.
The size is impressive, but the curiosity doesn’t stop there. The origin, the materials used, and the local effects, including environmental ones, help explain why the place has become so talked about.
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What Happened and Why It Got Attention
The Sea of Plastic in Almería is a concentration of greenhouses covered with plastic, spread over a large area in southeastern Spain. The ensemble has become known for forming a huge light block, easily perceived in satellite images.
The dimension is one of the central points of the phenomenon. The total area surpasses 40,000 hectares, occupying almost the entire Dalías Field and also advancing into nearby regions.
The structure gained fame for combining scale, a high level of agricultural use, and a striking visual presence in the landscape.
How the Expansion of Greenhouses in the Region Started
The story dates back to the 1960s, when farmers were seeking a way to produce fruits and vegetables out of season. The choice of Almería was not random.
The province has some of the driest conditions in Europe, with an arid climate and little rain. At the same time, it has groundwater and a great abundance of sunlight, which opened the door for a solution adapted to the territory.
The answer came with the creation of greenhouses covered in plastic, capable of protecting crops and improving yield.
What Greenhouses Are and Why They Worked in Almería
Greenhouses are structures that create a controlled environment for cultivation. In Almería, the advancement began in the Dalías Field, which in the 1950s was dominated by weeds, grasslands, and small outdoor cultivation areas.
In the 1950s and 1960s, farmers began to test techniques such as layers of sand and plastic covering. The initial idea was to protect the soil and plants from winds and salty groundwater.
Over time, it became clear that growing under plastic increased productivity, as the soil retained more heat and moisture. The system also helped reduce losses from frosts, sea salt, and sudden climate changes.
How This Became an Economic Engine and Expanded Production
The expansion of greenhouses transformed the local economy. Today, Almería has established itself as one of the main fruit and vegetable producing regions in Europe.
The area contains hundreds of structures known as barracas, which support continuous production aimed at large-scale supply. As a result, markets in various countries have started receiving products from the region in off-season periods.
Greenhouses have become a central part of local agricultural activity, with a direct impact on food supply in different parts of the continent.
Production Numbers and the Local Effect of the White Roof
Currently, the greenhouses in Almería produce between 2.5 million and 3.5 million tons of fruits and vegetables per year. Among the main items are tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and melons, with a focus on off-season supply.
In addition to production, there is an effect observed on the local climate. The large white surface of the roofs reflects a substantial amount of sunlight, which may have contributed to localized cooling.
This type of alteration occurs because light-colored surfaces return more radiation to the atmosphere, reducing heat absorption compared to darker lands.
Points of Attention and Common Questions About Environmental Impact
The Sea of Plastic in Almería also faces criticism. The intensive use of covering materials raises concerns such as soil and water pollution from plastic waste, biodiversity loss, and emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere.
These effects are linked both to the volume of plastic used and to the improper disposal and handling of waste. In areas with high agricultural concentration, controlling these factors becomes a constant challenge.
At the same time, there are efforts to reduce damage and improve management practices.
What May Happen Moving Forward with the Pursuit of Sustainability
Initiatives have been adopted to make the activity more sustainable. Among the developing solutions is the reduction of plastic use, focusing on degradable bioplastics and the reuse of materials.
More sustainable agricultural practices, such as organic farming and efficient water management, are also gaining ground in a region marked by dry climate.
The future of the Sea of Plastic depends on balancing large-scale production with measures that reduce environmental impacts without compromising agricultural viability.
In the end, the area of more than 40,000 hectares remains one of the most striking agricultural landscapes in Europe. It combines high productivity, innovation applied to the field, and a unique visual presence.
At the same time, the debate about environmental impact remains at the center, pushing for solutions that maintain production while reducing harm to the soil, water, and surroundings.
Quem disse que as pirâmides egípcias foram feiras pelo homem ? Hoje com toda a nossa tecnologia disponível não conseguiríamos concebe-las.