The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia is home to an estimated 55,000 fish.
The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia is home to an estimated 55,000 fish.
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The Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California has more than 35,000 animals and plants.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California has more than 35,000 animals and plants.
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The Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, located in Zhuhai, China, holds 12.87 million gallons of water, equivalent to almost 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, located in Zhuhai, China, holds 12.87 million gallons of water, equivalent to almost 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
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In 2014, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China's Guangdong province became the world's largest aquarium according to Guinness Book of Records.
In 2014, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China's Guangdong province became the world's largest aquarium according to Guinness Book of Records.
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The aquarium has cinema-screen-sized windows.
The aquarium has cinema-screen-sized windows.
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The EPSON Aqua Park Shinagawa in Tokyo, Japan, features animals and fish in neon lights, touch screens and audiovisual shows.
The EPSON Aqua Park Shinagawa in Tokyo, Japan, features animals and fish in neon lights, touch screens and audiovisual shows.
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Pacific Sea nettle jellyfish are displayed at the Shark Reef Aquarium at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Pacific Sea nettle jellyfish are displayed at the Shark Reef Aquarium at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
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Dubai Mall's 2.6-million-gallon aquarium has a 157-foot-long passage with 270-degree views of fish in the surrounding water.
Dubai Mall's 2.6-million-gallon aquarium has a 157-foot-long passage with 270-degree views of fish in the surrounding water.
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Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is known as Japan's largest.
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is known as Japan's largest.
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"I think aquariums are education at it's purest. You're not telling people what to think, you're allowing them to feel it and experience it -- to become part of it," says James Hampton.
"I think aquariums are education at it's purest. You're not telling people what to think, you're allowing them to feel it and experience it -- to become part of it," says James Hampton.
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Creating naturalistic environments, whether through rocks or artificial coral, is central to the art of aquarium design. But, in recent decades, it has been the advanced engineering capabilities of clear acrylic -- a material strong enough to withstand the water pressure produced by millions of gallons of water -- that has set designers on a quest for total immersion.
Creating naturalistic environments, whether through rocks or artificial coral, is central to the art of aquarium design. But, in recent decades, it has been the advanced engineering capabilities of clear acrylic -- a material strong enough to withstand the water pressure produced by millions of gallons of water -- that has set designers on a quest for total immersion.
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One of the design features at the Sea-Life Aquarium in the Olympic Park, located in Munich, Germany, is a ten-meter under water glass tunnel.
One of the design features at the Sea-Life Aquarium in the Olympic Park, located in Munich, Germany, is a ten-meter under water glass tunnel.
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"With the 'old-style' aquariums, visitors would pay their 10 dollars, have an hour or so looking through these 'picture frames' at the exhibits, and then they'd walk out," Hampton says. "Generally, they've had a good experience, but now it's much more immersive.
"With the 'old-style' aquariums, visitors would pay their 10 dollars, have an hour or so looking through these 'picture frames' at the exhibits, and then they'd walk out," Hampton says. "Generally, they've had a good experience, but now it's much more immersive.
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The 11-million litre aquarium at Atlantis the Palm Hotel in Dubai contains over 65,000 fish and other sea creatures.
The 11-million litre aquarium at Atlantis the Palm Hotel in Dubai contains over 65,000 fish and other sea creatures.
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