World’s Largest Pool in Chile

Chile, or officially called the Republic of Chile, is endowed with plenty of tourist attractions for foreign and domestic travelers. Among these gifts is the world’s largest swimming pool.

Have you ever thought of constructing a pool right next to the ocean? Well, amazingly, Chile had built one and it has been known and recorded in the Guinness World of Record as the world’s largest swimming pool. This oversized pool overtook the glory from the world’s second largest pool, the Big Splash located in Morocco, whose features include an 8.9 acre of salt water, 150 yards long, and a 100 yards wide.

Fernando Fischmann, a Chilean Biochemist himself, once said that his company the, Crystal Lagoon Corporation, had met the advanced engineering requirements and added that as long as we have access to unlimited supply of seawater we can make it work and cause no damage to the ocean.

The World’s largest pool located in the South American Resort in San Alfonso Del Mar took about 5 years of planning and for it to be completed. The swimming pool is more than 1,000 yards long, has more than 115 foot deep end, holds about 66 million gallons of salty water, and covers about 20 acres. It is almost as huge as a football field.

Amazing right? But before any celebration, the Chile government invested huge amount of money to develop their “natural” theme park for visitors as well as for their own Chilean fellowmen to enjoy and relax with their families and friends. The project was estimated to have cost more than $1.5 billion to build the breath taking luxury pool. The investment for the project was all worth it. Through the created paradise, Chile continues to flourish their economy and tourism attracting millions of visitor world wide. The enormity of the pool reflected the possibilities of growth for Chile.

Resort guests of San Alfonso Del Mar often use kayaks and small boats just to move around the pool. Visitors are taking the most of their stay as they witness the real beauty of the pool.

The swimming pool has a computer controlled filtration and suction systems the help balance the flow of water. Seawater is drawn from the ocean and processed through the system to produce crystal clear water. The salt water is so clear that you can see the bottom of the swimming pool at the very deep end of it.

The sun somewhat helps the water in the pool warm at 26^OC which is about 9 degrees warmer than the sea adjacent to it. So, how do they maintain the cleanliness of the swimming pool? Through a process called the Pulse Oxidation, also developed by Fischmann’s team, the swimming pool maintains its cleanliness. The pool uses at least 10 times less chemicals that are used in standard swimming pools that often consumes thousands of gallons of chlorine. The pool is also equipped with 150 wall sensors. In addition to the system installed, the Chile government allocates a $4 million budget annually to maintain the pool’s cleanliness and safety by keeping the ocean water filtered and re-circulated with a temperature of about 80^OF during the summer season.

Lakes and Volcanoes

Chile’s southern region of lakes and volcanoes is an expression of nature’s inimitable aesthetic and startling exuberance. Between volcanic cataclysms, glacial sculpting, torrential rivers and massive temperate rainforests, this is very much a landscape in flux, modeling and remodeling itself before our eyes.

Pucon is poised between Lago Villarica and the smoking volcano of the same name. It offers something for every interest. Two national parks and one private reserve protect ancient forest habitat, a variety of rivers more than satisfies fishermen and whitewater boaters, skiing and mountaineering are possible on the slopes of Volcán Villarica, and the black sand beach soaks up the sun all day. At night, you can take your pick of nearby hot springs. Puerto Montt is on the shore of Reloncaví Sound. It is the departure point for maritime cruises through the Patagonian fjords and islands, including cruises to Laguna San Rafael and Puerto Natales. As the supply point for far-flung fishing communities, Puerto Montt is also one of the best places to buy handicrafts from Chiloé or to feast on an unbelievable assortment of fresh seafood. Puerto Varas is on the southern shore of Lago Llanquihue, faced by the perfect cone of Volcán Osorno. It combines the best of the Lake Region’s nature and culture. Well preserved German architecture reflects this charming town’s history of mid- to late- 19th century immigration; nearby are excellent rivers for fishing and whitewater rafting, ancient temperate rainforests , and the spectacular Lago Todos los Santos. Todos los Santos Lake One of the many lakes of Chile’s Lakes and Volcanoes region, Lago Todos los Santos was formed when volcanic ash from Volcán Osorno blocked a westward flowing river, trapping the water deep in a glacial valley. Today this spectacular lake, flanked on each side by steep cliffs, spans the continental divide and is the site of an extraordinary Andean Lake Crossing to Bariloche, Argentina. The Isla Grande of Chiloé is divided by the gentle peaks of the Coast Range. To the west is a wilderness of endless beaches, dune habitat, and temperate rainforests. To the east are the scattered islands of the Chiloé archipelago, sheltered from Pacific storms, intensely cultivated, home to a traditional culture of subsistence farmers, fishermen, and craftsmen. Over the course of two centuries, the Jesuit order made this corner of the earth their special responsibility, erecting schools and over two hundred elegant wooden churches, nine of which are protected as national monuments. A rich mythology - populated by strange trolls, sea monsters, and eerie ghost ships - is yet another mark of Chiloé’s singular history.

Easter Island

The most remote island in the world, more than 2,000 miles from the Chilean mainland, Easter Island, leaves visitors feeling that they are in the “middle of nowhere.” Politically part of Chile, but culturally part of Polynesia, this island is one of the most unique in the world. Visitors can enjoy its beautiful beaches, and admire the mysterious rock statues called Moais, carved thousands of years ago.