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10 Amazing Aquariums in the World
In this article, RNN will showcase ten amazing aquariums from around the world. These captivating underwater places let visitors dive into the colorful and diverse ecosystems under the ocean’s surface.
What is an Aquarium?
An aquarium is a container with at least one see-through side, used for keeping and displaying aquatic plants and animals. People who keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, turtles, and aquatic plants use aquariums, which can be glass tanks or artificial ponds.
When you want to admire marine life’s beauty, aquariums worldwide offer an unmatched experience. These captivating underwater places let visitors want to know the colorful and diverse ecosystems under the ocean’s surface. Let’s explore some of the most incredible aquariums globally, offering a glimpse into the enchanting aquatic world. The world’s most stunning aquariums serve as gateways to the mesmerizing realm of marine life, allowing us to connect with the oceans and their inhabitants. This raises awareness about preserving these delicate ecosystems for future generations. Whether you’re walking through a transparent tunnel or peering into vast tanks, these aquariums reveal the breathtaking beauty below the water’s surface.
In this article, RNN will showcase ten amazing aquariums from around the world.
10 Amazing Aquariums in the World
Here are the Top ten Amazing Aquariums in the world:
1. Georgia Aquarium, USA
Atlanta’s Georgia Aquarium has the world’s largest single-tank habitat. Situated in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, the public aquarium features seven main galleries that house hundreds of species and thousands of animals. These creatures inhabit more than 11 million US gallons of water. While it held the title of the world’s largest aquarium from 2005 to 2012, it’s now the United States’ biggest and the fifth largest globally. The aquarium’s construction was primarily funded by a $250 million donation from local businessman and co-founder of The Home Depot, Bernard Marcus.
The facility is home to remarkable animals including whale sharks, beluga whales, California sea lions, bottlenose dolphins, manta rays, sea otters, and tiger sharks. The main attraction is a colossal 6.3 million US gallon whale shark exhibit. Visitors can explore an enchanting underwater realm featuring gentle whale sharks, lively dolphins, and vibrant fish species. This captivating experience is suitable for all ages.
2. Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, UAE
The Dubai Mall houses a massive aquarium that you must see when in Dubai. It holds 2.64 million gallons of water and is home to 33,000 marine creatures, including 140 species of aquatic animals, including the world’s largest collection of sand tiger sharks. There’s a 10 million liter tank with over 400 sharks and rays. Additionally, there are three large ecological zone exhibits, each with unique marine life. But the highlight is the 48-meter-long aquarium tunnel, which takes you 11 meters below the surface. It has a huge acrylic viewing panel, allowing you to marvel at thousands of fish, including massive sharks and rays, right in the heart of the bustling city.
3. Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, China
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom stands in Hengqin, Zhuhai, China. PGAV Destinations designed it. The park started construction on November 28, 2010, and completed it on January 28, 2014. It officially opened on March 29 of that year. The first park phase cost RMB 10 billion. It’s a part of the Chimelong International Ocean Tourist Resort, with the goal of becoming China’s version of “Orlando.” According to TEA and AECOM, it ranked as the 10th most visited theme park globally in 2018, drawing 10.83 million visitors.
The park offers numerous amusement rides and animal shows, along with the world’s largest oceanarium containing 48.75 million liters of water. It holds five Guinness World Records presently.
4. Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Australia
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, previously known as Sydney Aquarium, showcases a diverse range of Australian aquatic life. It exhibits over 700 species and 13,000 individual fish and sea creatures from various water habitats in Australia. Established in 1988, it stands as a top tourist spot in Sydney, attracting more than half of its annual visitors from overseas.
The aquarium comprises 14 themed zones like Jurassic Seas, Discovery Rockpool, Shark Walk, and the world’s largest Great Barrier Reef exhibit. Within these zones, visitors can observe unique animals of each habitat. Noteworthy displays include one of the world’s only four dugongs on exhibit, along with sharks, stingrays, penguins, and tropical fish.
Situated in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, the public aquarium sits on the city side of Darling Harbour, north of the Pyrmont Bridge. It holds full membership in the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
5. Aquarium Of The Pacific, U.S
The Aquarium of the Pacific is one of the most amazing Aquariums in the world. It was previously known as the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific and is a public aquarium located in Long Beach, California, United States. It covers a 5-acre area in Rainbow Harbor, directly opposite the Long Beach Convention Center, Shoreline Village, and the Queen Mary Hotel and Attraction.
This aquarium attracts 1.5 million visitors annually and employs around 1,875 individuals, consisting of over 1,500 volunteers and approximately 375 staff members. It operates as a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status.
6. Monterey Bay Aquarium, U.S
The Monterey Bay Aquarium, located in Monterey, California, is a nonprofit public aquarium. It’s renowned for its emphasis on the marine habitats of Monterey Bay. When it opened in October 1984, it became the first to showcase a living kelp forest. The aquarium’s biologists have played a leading role in developing methods for caring for jellyfish, and they were also the first to successfully care for and display a great white shark. The organization focuses its research and conservation efforts on sea otters, various birds, and tunas.
Each year, approximately two million visitors come to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It played a pivotal role in rejuvenating Cannery Row and contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy of Monterey County. The aquarium has been featured in two PBS Nature documentaries and has made appearances in various film and television productions.
7. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Ripley Entertainment owns and runs Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, a public aquarium situated in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It’s in downtown Toronto, close to the CN Tower. The aquarium features marine and freshwater habitats from various places globally, totaling 5.7 million liters (1.25 million gallons). It houses over 20,000 unique sea and freshwater creatures from 450 species.
8. Oceanário de Lisboa, Portugal
The Lisbon Oceanarium, situated in Lisbon, Portugal’s Parque das Nações, was once the site of Expo ’98. It stands as one of Europe’s biggest indoor aquariums.
This oceanarium houses an extensive array of marine life, including penguins, seagulls, sea otters, sharks, rays, seahorses, crustaceans, starfish, sea anemones, octopuses, jellyfish, and various plants. In total, there are around 16,000 individuals from 450 species.
The centerpiece is a 1,000 m2 tank with four large acrylic windows, surrounded by smaller viewing points. It’s 7 meters deep, offering an open ocean illusion. This tank hosts approximately 100 species, such as sharks, rays, barracudas, groupers, and moray eels, with a notable attraction being a large sunfish.
9. Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, China
The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium stands in Shanghai, China. Advanced Aquarium Technologies designed this public aquarium. Within the aquarium, there’s a 168-meter (551 ft) tunnel. This tunnel, designed by Advanced Aquarium Technologies, guides visitors through different underwater environments like coastal reefs, open oceans, kelp caves, shark coves, and coral reefs. This tunnel is one of the longest of its kind globally, spanning 168 meters (551 ft).
The aquarium is divided into nine zones, each showcasing marine life from different global regions, including the Antarctic Zone, Australia Zone, and the renowned China Zone. Notably, the China Zone is home to numerous indigenous species primarily sourced from the Yangtze River.
Shanghai Aquarium tunnel is the longest of its kind worldwide and offers an unparalleled experience as visitors walk through it, surrounded by a diverse array of marine creatures.
10. Shedd Aquarium, U.S
10th on the list of amazing Aquariums in the world is Shedd a popular indoor public aquarium in Chicago. It opened its doors on May 30, 1930, and it houses approximately 32,000 animals. This aquarium, with a capacity of 5 million US gallons (19 million liters), ranks as the third largest in the Western Hemisphere, following the Georgia Aquarium and Monterey Bay Aquarium.
The Shedd Aquarium is internationally recognized and was once the world’s largest indoor facility of its kind. It stands out as the first inland aquarium to have a permanent saltwater fish collection. You can find it on the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago’s Museum Campus, which is home to other prestigious institutions like the Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum of Natural History.
In 2015, the Shedd Aquarium attracted 2.02 million visitors, making it the most visited aquarium in the Western Hemisphere in 2005. Additionally, in 2007, it became Chicago’s most visited cultural institution. The aquarium boasts an impressive collection of 1,500 species, encompassing fish, marine mammals, birds, snakes, amphibians, and insects. Notably, it has received “Best Exhibit” awards from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for Seahorse Symphony in 1999, Amazon Rising in 2001, and Wild Reef in 2004. Furthermore, it holds the distinction of being designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
Summary Of 10 Amazing Aquariums in the World
- Georgia Aquarium, USA
- Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, UAE
- Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, China
- Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Australia
- Â Aquarium Of The Pacific, U.S
- Monterey Bay Aquarium, U.S
- Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
- Oceanário de Lisboa, Portugal
- Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, China
- Shedd Aquarium, U.S