Bahrain is gearing up to open the biggest underwater theme park in the world this summer, complete with its own 70m fully submerged Boeing 747 aircraft.

The attraction will span 100,000 square meters and include a replica of a traditional Bahraini pearl merchant’s house, artificial coral reefs and sculptures made from eco-friendly material.

Approximately 20m deep, the park will be set in the waters north of the mainland, around 30km from the Amwaj islands, and opens in summer 2019.

The 747 will be the centrepiece, the largest aircraft to ever be purposefully submerged. It has been fully decontaminated and all surfaces will get a high-pressure wash with bio-friendly detergents.

The extensive surface area of all the underwater features is designed to promote the growth of invertebrates, particularly oysters.

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The idea is for the site to become “an international tourist attraction” by providing a one-of-a-kind experience for diving enthusiasts.

Alongside tourists, the hope is that it will attract marine biologists, environmentalists, university students and researchers.

The site will also be available to school and university students as a “live lab”, allowing them to conduct practical experiments.

It’s being launched alongside other projects, such as the national plan to revive the pearl industry, aimed at reestablishing Bahrain as a diving hub in the region.

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