World’s Largest Cylindrical Aquarium

The AquaDom in Berlin, Germany, is a 25 metre tall cylindrical acrylic glass aquarium with built-in transparent elevator. It is located at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Berlin-Mitte. The DomAquarée complex also contains a hotel, offices, a restaurant, and the aquarium Sea Life Centre.

The AquaDom was opened in 2004. It cost about 12.8 million euros. The overall construction of the aquarium was designed and built by International Concept Management, Inc.. The acrylic cylinder was constructed by the U.S. company Reynolds Polymer Technology. It is now the main attraction of the Berlin Sea Life Centre.

The outside cylinder was manufactured on-site from four pieces; the inside cylinder for the elevator was delivered in one piece. The Aquadom is the largest acrylic cylindrical aquarium in the world, with a diameter of about 11 metres, and it is built on a 9 metre tall foundation. Filled with 1,000,000 litres of water, it contains over 1,500 fish of 50 species. The feeding of the fish and the cleaning of the fish tank is performed daily by 3-4 divers. The fish need 8 kg of fish food. 10 more images after the break...

The Most Powerful Waterfall in Europe Dettifoss

The waterfall Dettifoss is located in Vatnajökull National Park in Northeast Iceland, and reputed to be the most powerful waterfall in Europe. It is also the largest waterfall in Europe in terms of volume discharge, having an average water flow of 193 cubic meter per second. Its volume often increases, especially when the weather or volcanic activity prompts glacial melting on the Vatnajokull glacier icecap. The waterfall is so powerful that it makes the surrounding rocks vibrate, the vibrations can be felt by hand.

Dettifoss is situated on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, which flows from the Vatnajökull glacier and collects water from a large area in Northeast Iceland. The fall is 100 metres wide and have a drop of 45 metres down to the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon.

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Since it’s partly buried in the canyon, Dettifoss is overlooked by cliffs on both sides. From the west, the full face of the waterfall can be seen, and a short walk places you on top of the lava dam and fault line, that are responsible for the waterfall’s location. The river water is almost always dark with sediment, in contrast with the white rapids and spray. During floods the river and the falls are often virtually black with sediment and debris.

The mighty Dettifoss is accompanied by two other substantial waterfalls. Selfoss is a few kilometers south and Hafragilsfoss is a few kilometers north. It is possible to reach the waterfalls from both sides of the glacial river Jokulsa, but one has to be careful when traversing the rugged terrain on foot. On the west bank there are no facilities and the view on the waterfall is somewhat hindered by the waterfall's spray. On the east bank there is an information panel maintained by the staff of Vatnajökull National Park (Vatnajökulsþjóðgarður) and a maintained track to the best viewpoints.

Dettifoss appeared in the opening scenes of the 2012 science-fiction film Prometheus. Since then, some people have been calling it “the Prometheus Waterfall”. 10 more images after the break...

The World Largest 3D Street Art

Francois Abelane is not only responsible for this incredible 4000 square meter piece of 3D street art but may also be breaking the record for the largest 3D street art in the world. Francois was commissioned to do this artwork for the launch of a new line of Renault trucks in Lyon. Absolutely amazing! 06 more images after the break...

World's Largest Building

The New Century Global Center officially opens in China — The building is so large it is capable housing 20 Sydney Opera Houses and is almost three times the size of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The numbers are little short of staggering; at 500 metres long, 400 metres wide and 100 metres high a 1.76-million-square-metre-mega-building has been opened in Sichuan province in southwestern China.

The New Century Global Center, officially the largest freestanding building in the world, took three years to complete and will house offices, shopping malls, a Mediterranean village, a 14-screen IMAX Cineplex and an ice-skating rink large enough to hold international skating competitions.

The building is so large it is capable of housing the equivalent of 20 Sydney Opera Houses and is almost three times the size of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.  At the centre of the building is a huge water park called Paradise Island. Around 400,000 square metres of the building are dedicated to shopping. 06 more images after the break...

The 10 Largest Dog Breeds in the World

We have all had our heads turned at the sight of a large dog, whether just in pure awe, appreciation, or intrigue. Some of the largest dog breeds in the world are recognizable, like the Great Dane or the Saint Bernard, and others are more obscure. While it seems owning a teacup size dog that can slip easily into your handbag is all the rage with celebrities these days, many people prefer the companionship of a large dog.

All the dogs that make up this list of the world’s largest dog breeds are over 100 pounds and the ‘shortest’ dog on the list comes in at an impressive 26 inches at the withers, the highest point of dog’s shoulders. Regardless of your criteria for determining the world’s largest dog breeds, all these gentle giants are on average the tallest, heaviest, and brawniest breeds in the world.

10. Shiloh Shepherd

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Related to the German Shepherd, the smallest of our world’s largest dog breeds stands 26 to 30 inches and typically weigh up to 140 pounds. Though not recognized by any major kennel club, they are acknowledged by rare breed organizations and are known for their intelligence and stable temperament. Bred as companions, these dogs have a high energy level and are a great family dog. Their coats come in a multitude of colors and they often work as therapy or search and rescue dogs. 09 more after the break...