Crystal Lagoons Corp.’s concept and technology enable to build crystal clear water bodies in almost unlimited dimensions thanks to its uniquely new and patented concept. In a region where the sea is too rough and thus unattractive to tourists, it is now possible to construct giant artificial lagoon landscapes. There are already several of these pools in the world. One of them is situated in Las Brisas de Santo Domingo, Chile. But the world's largest one can be found in San Alfonso de Mar. It covers an area of 8 ha. In fact, Crystal Lagoonsa Corp. managed an entry in the Guinness Book of Records with it in 2007. The longest distance stretches for more than 1 km. You can actually see it on "Google Earth". An even bigger basin with an impressive 12.5 ha area of crystalline water is currently taking shape in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh.
The Qatar National Convention Centre, one of the world’s largest construction projects, is currently underway in Doha, Qatar. Upon completion, the 100,000 square meter structure is expected to be a venue of choice for regional and international conventions, exhibitions, gala events, concerts, weddings and banquets. This bold design incorporates a three-story car park underneath the modern four-story building.
Construction of the NEAT (German acronym for New Rail Alpine Crossing) project represents a further step in regard to Switzerland’s integration in the growing European high-speed network. The core is the Gotthard base tunnel, which at 57 km will be the longest rail tunnel in the world. It will comprise two single-track tunnel tubes. Construction is simultaneously in progress on five partial sections of different lengths, so as to optimize the construction time and costs. The costs for this gargantuan project are estimated to be around 9.8 billion Swiss franks (approx. 6.5 billion euros). The construction time will total 20 years. The historic breakthrough of the tunnel occurred on 15th October 2010 and the grand opening is planned for 2016.
The globally-active Swedish furniture giant IKEA now even has a few branches in the Middle East. After Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, IKEA opened a new sales point north of Doha, the capital city of Qatar. The 32,000 square meter (105,000 square foot) building was constructed in just 12 months. On the outside it wears the same typical blue & yellow IKEA branding as with all other 300 branches worldwide. However, the structure in Doha is different in one special respect: a giant reservoir tank has been built here, in which water from the surroundings is collected. It stores the valuable fluid so that it can be used later, after filtration, for irrigation.
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