Largest school of sharks-world record set by
the Dubai Aquarium
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Built
to showcase one of the world's most diverse and exotic collections
of marine animals, the ten million-litre aquarium at The
Dubai Mall Aquarium hosts over 400 sharks and rays
-setting the world record for the largest
school of sharks.
Photo:
The Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre features the world's
largest
viewing platform and is the centrepiece of the new
5.9million sq ft Burj Dubai Mall. / Barcroft Media
(enlarge
photo)
The aquarium is home to more
than 33,000 living specimens. A total of 85 species is represented,
with over 400 sharks and rays considered the main attraction.
Measuring 32.88 metres wide x 8.3 metres
high x 750 mm thick and weighing 245,614 kg, the viewing panel
at Dubai Aquarium also sets the world record for the Largest
Acrylic Panel.
At 750 mm thick, the acrylic viewing panel
is built to withstand the enormous pressure of 10 million
litres of water used in the aquarium, but transparent to give
visitors clear views of the 33,000 plus marine animals on
display.
Mr Yousif Al Ali, General Manager, The
Dubai Mall said: "With this achievement, we are highlighting
the capabilities of Emaar and Dubai to undertake and execute
projects of global significance."
The Dubai Aquarium viewing panel dimensions
were set at the limit of production abilities by major acrylic
manufacturers when it was commissioned.
Thus, its World Record is set to stay until industry-approved
manufacturing capabilities are redrawn to enable the production
of bigger panels.
Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre is developed
and operated by Oceanis Australia Group. The Dubai Mall has
adopted an International Standard of Ethics and Animal Welfare
Policy in its development and operation.
With a total internal floor area of 5.9 million
sq ft, The
Dubai Mall has 3.77 million sq ft of gross leasable
space and hosts over 1,200 retail outlets including two anchor
department stores -Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale's -
and features over 160 food and beverage options.
Other attractions include the Olympic-size
Dubai Ice Rink; Fashion Avenue, a 440,000 sq ft haute couture
precinct; The Grove, an indoor-outdoor themed streetscape;
the region's first SEGA indoor theme park covering 76,000
sq ft; KidZania(R), an 80,000 sq ft children's 'edu-tainment'
centre; and a 22-screen Cineplex, the largest in Dubai.
The viewing panel at Dubai Aquarium
surpasses the previous World Record holder, Churaumi Aquarium
in Okinawa, Japan, at 22.5 metres wide x 8.2 metres high and
600 mm thick.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
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