There are swimming pools and then there is this swimming pool at the San Alfonso del Mar resort at Algarroba, on Chile's Southern Coast. The size of 6,000 standard pools combined, it has been deemed as the largest pool in the world by Guinness World Records.

The man-made salt-water lagoon which cost over $1.5 billion U.S. Dollars to build, is more than 1,000 yards long, covers 20 acres and holds more than 66 million gallons of water. In order to ferry across it, guests at the resort often use kayaks or small boats.

The brainchild of Chilean biochemist and businessman, Fernando Fischmann, the pool which took five years to build, operates with state of the art technology. The water, drawn from the Pacific Ocean next to the pool, is constantly circulated by computer-controlled suction and filtration systems, resulting in a crystal clear pool. The sun heats it up to a comfortable 78 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius).

While the location of the pool right next the ocean is a little strange, the ocean on the Chilean Coastline is very rough and unsuitable for swimming. Besides, it provides water for the pool without causing any damage to the ocean or wasting other resources.

Since it's opening earlier this year, the pool and the resort have become an instant hit with both tourists and the local people of Chile.

sources: spulch.blogspot.com,dailymail.co.uk