NASA Named The Largest Human-Made Structure Visible From Space – It’s Made From Plastic

Spoiler: No, it is not the Great Wall of China.

In the area of El Ejido in the province of Almería, southeastern Spain, there is a huge greenhouse complex that can be seen from space. These greenhouses, which grow vegetables and fruits, cover more than 370 square kilometres of land. Due to the high concentration of these greenhouse structures, it is sometimes referred to as the “Plastic sea” (“Mar de plástico” in Spanish). 

The extensive network of greenhouses is made of bright white plastic, creating a remarkable mosaic that contrasts with the surrounding territory, so that it can be seen even from the International Space Station. 

NASA Earth Observatory published high-resolution satellite images of the greenhouses of Almería, captured by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI) on Landsat 9 in 2022. 

What about The Great Wall of China?

This human-made wonder is often addressed as the only artificial structure visible from space. However, it’s a myth. The Great Wall of China can be visible, but only from low orbit under a specific set of weather and lighting conditions. The wall is not high enough and does not create a sharp contrast, unlike the “Plastic Sea” of Almería.

What Else Can Be Seen From Space?

Actually a lot, as Earth observation satellites offer detailed look from above:

• Roads and bridges: highways in large cities or in desert regions can be visible due to their length and contrasting colour
• City lights at night: the lights of big cities and metropolitan areas are visible from space, forming their own constellations
• Pyramids of Giza: the contrast of the Egyptian pyramids against the desert can make them visible from certain altitudes
• The Kennecott Copper Mine near Salt Lake City, Utah, is one of the largest open-pit mines in the world
• Artificial Islands: Palm Jumeirah in Dubai and some other island constructions can be visible from space due to their unique shapes and size.